Invisalign: Bad experiences and criticism from patients. Here you can learn how to avoid similar dental correction failures.
Invisalign is one of the most well-known and respected providers in the aligner market. The company behind the brand is Align Technology.
The company is based in the US state of California and has been manufacturing invisible alignerthere since 1997.
Since 1999, the clear braces have also been available in Germany. Tooth correction is now offered by several thousand partner practices in all states.
Invisalign has already completed over 14 million teeth straightening procedures and has by far the most experience of all aligner providers.
Although the treatment is usually successful, there are also some users who have had bad experiences with Invisalign .
We will go into more detail about the most frequent points of criticism and some negative experience reports in this article.
You can find more information about Invisalign here.
Invisalign: Bad experiences and criticism on the Internet
Basically, only a few testimonials from Invisalign users can be found on the common evaluation portals.
However, if you search Google for the keyword “Invisalign bad experiences”, you will find, for example, some reviews on the Trustpilot rating portal.
This is a review website founded in Denmark in 2007 that publishes reviews of companies worldwide.
Most of the comments can be found on the Invisalign UK page. So far, 51 reviews have been submitted here (as of February 2023) – with only 2.2 out of 5 stars, the users’ verdict is rather poor.
The approach of dentists and orthodontists in the course of their treatment was frequently criticized. In addition, the dental correction ended up being more expensive than estimated.
Some users are also dissatisfied with the treatment result. Customer service and aftercare are also criticized in isolated cases.
However, you should note that the bad experiences with Invisalign cannot be transferred 1:1 to the German market, since the treatment standards of different countries differ greatly.
Some users also find the handling of the aligners too complicated. In their reviews, they complain that the rails have to be taken out for eating and drinking
They also find it impractical to always have a toothbrush or conditioner and a sleeve for the splints with them in everyday life.
However, everyone who decides to undergo treatment with the invisible aligners should be aware that wearing aligners requires discipline.
When doing your research, you should also always keep in mind that users tell about bad experiences much more often than good ones.
Invisalign: Bad experiences and criticism in social media
The picture on the social media platform Facebook is different from that on Trustpilot.
For years, the social media website has also been used as an evaluation platform, so that some good and only a few bad experiences with Invisalign can now be found here.
On the German Facebook page of Invisalign, users rate the invisible dental trays with 4.3 out of 5 stars, which is a good result.
Here, too, some patients find their aligners annoying in everyday life. Especially in restaurants, one user finds the rails impractical, as they have to be removed before eating.
However, as mentioned above, minor inconveniences cannot be avoided when straightening teeth with invisible braces.
Therefore, consider carefully in advance whether you are willing to accept the small restrictions in everyday life.
Bad experiences with Invisalign in blogs and vlogs
Editors and bloggers also report about Invisalign: bad experiences (few) and good experiences (significantly more) have also been made by editor Joana from Stylight.
In this article, she gives a mostly positive account of her teeth straightening with Invisalign. However, it also lists some negative aspects. Among others:
- frequent biting on the lips and gums
- coloring drinks are taboo during the gestation period (which, however, also leads to a healthier lifestyle)
- frequent brushing of teeth is a must. The toothbrush must always be with you
- Wearing lipstick becomes a challenge
Vlogger JeLoveRocks also shares her good and bad Invisalign experiences in a YouTube video. She is basically very satisfied with the result of her treatment.
However, the splint change, which takes place every ten days, causes her problems. Each change is associated with slight pressure pain, which can be extremely uncomfortable, especially when eating and brushing teeth.
Before treatment began, attachments (small “buttons” made of tooth-colored plastic) were also bonded to her teeth.
These ensure that the teeth can be better guided during treatment. However, they also pose a hurdle to dental care.
The vlogger reports that food residue regularly gets stuck on the attachments and they are relatively difficult to clean.
Invisalign: Avoid bad experiences
Bad experiences with Invisalign can be avoided in many cases if you meticulously follow the aligner provider’s recommendations.
For example, pain can be caused by the fact that the splints have not been worn consistently for 22 hours a day and, accordingly, the teeth are not yet ready for a new splint.
A good tip is also to insert a new splint before going to bed, so that the teeth can get used to the new wearing sensation overnight.
Pain can be relieved by cold water or ice cubes. After inserting a new splint, you should also avoid hard foods.
Another point of criticism: The teeth shift back to their original position after treatment with Invisalign.
You can avoid bad experiences of this kind by consistently wearing your retainer according to your dentist’s instructions.
In the first few months, the retainer – like the aligners themselves – should be used for around 22 hours per day. After that, wearing it overnight is usually enough.
Under no circumstances should you end the retention phase on your own. Always consult with your dentist.
Invisalign: Bad experiences do not have to be
Don’t be afraid of having your teeth straightened with Invisalign: bad experiences are absolutely not the rule.
Many problems occur during the course of treatment because patients do not adhere one hundred percent to the wear recommendations and the recommendations for care and handling of the splints.
However, if you experience pain while wearing it that goes beyond normal pressure pain when inserting a new splint, you should definitely contact your dentist.
However, many users also criticize the provider’s opaque pricing structure and that the costs for Invisalign turn out to be higher than estimated after the fact.
For mild to moderate malocclusions, we therefore recommend DrSmile for your teeth correction.
You can find more information about DrSmile here.
The company offers very good value for money and communicates its prices transparently.
Through the app, the course of treatment is regularly monitored and kept in view by dentists and orthodontists. Last but not least, DrSmile offers a satisfaction promise.
We recommend Invisalign whenever your misalignment is severe and cannot be treated with “regular” aligners.
DrSmile vs Invisalign: Here we compare the two providers in detail.
Frequently asked questions about bad experiences with Invisalign
You can find more articles and information about Invisalign here.
For whom is Invisalign not suitable?
Invisalign the case of extreme misalignments (for example, a tilt of the teeth of more than 45 degrees due to a lack of space in the jaw), Invisalign aligners may reach their limits. In this case, patients actually need fixed braces.
Which is better: Invisalign or DrSmile?
For mild to moderate malocclusions, we recommend the significantly less expensive provider DrSmile, which, among other things, offers a satisfaction promise. Invisalign always recommend when the misalignment of the teeth is serious and cannot be treated with “regular” aligners.
What happens if you wear Invisalign too little?
If the splints are worn for too few hours a day or even only at night, the misalignment of the teeth cannot be corrected or can only be corrected inadequately.
- About the Author
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On About That Smile, Franzi wants to impart sound knowledge to anyone interested in straightening their teeth with invisible dental aligners. Her main goal is to share personal experiences and educate about the advantages and disadvantages of the treatment.
