Negative Reviews on Invisalign After 6 Months of Treatment
Despite Invisalign's recognized expertise as the world leader in invisible aligner orthodontics, some patients do report negative experiences with this brand.
Of course, expectations and opinions vary on the ideal course of orthodontic treatment. But what could be the worst negative feedback on Invisalign aligners? While most issues occur during the first two weeks, a normal adaptation period, difficulties can also arise later in treatment.
Negative reviews on Invisalign
We interviewed several Invisalign patients to share their experiences. Here are their testimonials:
Isabelle's negative review
"Correcting my dental problems with Invisalign was a real challenge. First, the cost of 5,000 euros is quite a budget, even without additional fees in case of extension. But that wasn't the only difficulty.
Besides wearing the aligners, there was also the constraint of elastics. The daytime ones, which tightened the jaw, and the nighttime ones, which compressed the mouth, were very uncomfortable. I never managed to get used to the nighttime elastics. I advise putting them on just before bedtime to think about them less. My orthodontist hadn't emphasized this aspect enough when giving the quote. The first five days were painful, I even took Doliprane twice to calm the pain.
You absolutely must remove the aligners to brush your teeth after each meal, it's constraining at first but you get used to it. Forget snacking and impromptu snacks! Even for a simple coffee or tea, you have to organize and only consume it at mealtimes. It's a real restriction compared to traditional braces.
For effective treatment, you need to be disciplined and wear the aligners between 20 and 22 hours a day, so only remove them for meals."
Pierre's negative review
"My experience with Invisalign was mixed. While the treatment did correct my overlapping teeth, you shouldn't underestimate the heaviness of the protocol. I had to wear elastics, which I didn't expect because I thought the aligners alone would be enough. The aligners are transparent but slightly visible, which can be bothersome. With each aligner change, I felt pain comparable to tightening braces."
Sophie's negative review
"My Invisalign journey was more complicated than expected. Besides the high price, other aspects made the treatment less smooth than hoped. For example, I had trouble maintaining good dental hygiene. Since you systematically have to remove the aligners to eat, this means always having a cleaning kit with you, which is constraining, especially at work or when traveling.
Another issue, over time the aligners yellowed and lost transparency. It was disappointing because aesthetic discretion was one of the main reasons for my choice. Additionally, I felt slight oral discomfort, especially with the elastics. Sometimes embarrassing, particularly during important presentations or meetings."
Does Invisalign affect speech?
Among negative reviews on Invisalign, some patients report speech problems, particularly lisping, with the aligners. This affects about 10% of patients, a fairly high proportion compared to other brands. Usually temporary, it can sometimes persist beyond the adaptation period. The orthodontist can then slightly shorten the aligners inside the upper jaw.
What can't you eat with Invisalign?
Almost everything, but not quite. Normally, you remove the aligners to eat and can then consume everything without restriction. Some patients are embarrassed to have to remove their aligner in public. The best solution is to discreetly go to the restroom. After the meal, brush your teeth and put the aligner back. For heavy snackers, this can be difficult at first and generate a negative experience. Do you like turmeric latte? Do you like sipping a cocktail on a plane? Impossible with Invisalign, the aligners yellow and lose transparency.
Are Invisalign aligners really invisible?
When receiving your first aligner, you may be shocked to also discover attachments bonded to teeth or buttons to attach elastics. Enough to disappoint many patients, because Invisalign is unfortunately not completely invisible. However, aligners remain much less visible than fixed braces.
Is Invisalign painful?
It's impossible to avoid negative reviews mentioning pain at the start of treatment. Many users complain of slight discomfort, especially during the first days.
This pain, due to the unusual pressure exerted on the teeth, is an integral part of the correction process. Since braces gradually move your teeth, pressure is necessary. Most of the time, the pain remains very bearable and quickly subsides. If it's very intense, a check by the dentist is necessary to verify the aligner fit.
Is Invisalign harmful? Can plastic be a problem?
At a time when plastic is pointed out as a scourge for society, we would like to be able to do without it. Aligners are made from a material patented by Align Technology. This material has obviously been tested and is suitable for medical use. The aligners are not dangerous for health. In rare cases, they can trigger allergies. They contain neither plasticizers nor BPA. Despite this, negative reviews report an unpleasant sensation of plastic in the mouth.
Similar results with cheaper aligners
Invisalign is generally considered more expensive than most of its competitors. This price difference is often explained by the brand's reputation and longevity in the orthodontic market. But there are more affordable alternatives offering comparable results, especially for patients with simple orthodontic needs.
Many less expensive aligner brands are attracting more and more patients and constitute effective options for straightening teeth. Some brands also provide payment facilities, making treatment more financially accessible to the greatest number.
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