Clear aligner systems like Invisalign are a fantastic option for people who feel self-conscious about wearing braces. Clear aligners straighten your teeth while being comfortable and practically invisible.
Since clear aligners are removable, you won’t have any restrictions on what you can eat. Simply remove your aligners when you eat. It’s also much easier to keep your teeth clean. Just remove them when you brush & floss.
Invisalign is the most well-known brand of clear aligners, but they are not unique. They are simply one of many manufacturers that make clear aligners.
There are huge downsides to relying on companies like Invisalign to make your clear aligners. We completely avoid those downsides by creating our own custom clear aligners using 3D printing technology.
Dr. G has complete control over your treatment plan
Your orthodontist is the best person to design your treatment plan. They have first-hand knowledge of your unique situation, and the expertise to design a treatment plan that is completely customized to solve your specific issues.
Invisalign takes control away from your orthodontist by outsourcing the customization of the aligners to overseas technicians who will never see you in person. These technicians usually have a background in 3D animation rather than orthodontics! They’re not qualified to design an effective treatment plan.
By creating our own custom clear aligners, we place the control back in Dr. G’s expert hands. That leads to more effective treatment and a shorter treatment time.
More Accurate Customization = Better Results
Our custom clear aligners can be created according to Dr. G’s exact specs with much better accuracy than Invisalign.
For patients who want the shortest treatment time possible, Dr. G can create hybrid treatment plans that use both braces and aligners - which isn’t possible with Invisalign.
We’re also able to do shorter, more minor treatments with clear aligners - which usually isn’t cost-effective with Invisalign. This is great for patients who haven’t been wearing their retainers and need their teeth recorrected.
Start Treatment Sooner, Finish Faster
Invisalign takes 4-6 weeks to initially create and ship your aligners from overseas. We can have your aligners ready in about 1 week.
If you lose or break one of your aligners, Invisalign takes 1-2 weeks to ship a replacement. We can create a replacement in about 1 hour, so you won’t have to put your treatment on hold.
Many companies are now offering Do-It-Yourself aligner services. You never see an orthodontist. You simply send in a set of impressions or scans, and they send you a set of aligners.
These programs have far bigger issues than Invisalign… and the results for patients can be disastrous, including:
Back teeth that no longer close together, which could result in tooth loss
Nerve damage due to teeth being moved too far, too quickly
Loose teeth caused by bite changes
Jaw pain due to misaligned jaws
Damage to bone and gum tissue
It’s not enough to just look at photos and 3D models. A trained specialist needs to be able to examine the gums and bone that support your teeth.
Dr. G always does a comprehensive exam of the teeth, gums, bone and all supporting structures before recommending treatment. He monitors patients continuously to make adjustments throughout treatment. This is absolutely necessary to ensure that patients are treated safely.
At-home aligner companies cannot do that… so they can’t ensure safe treatment.
“First, Do No Harm”
At-home aligner companies don’t look you in the eyes every 8-10 weeks during regular appointments. They never see the damage they inflict on their patients in person. Their employees are not incentivized to care. They are incentivized to sell aligners.
When the results are harmful, they will often tell you to see an orthodontist to fix the problems caused by the at-home aligners. In many cases, the damage will be irreversible.
You should absolutely stay away from these at-home aligner services.
When you walk into OrthoArts, you will be cared for by a team that is part of your local community. We want you to be thrilled with your new smile when you finish treatment.
Dr. G will take your unique needs into account and create a treatment plan that is best for you.
