The Orthodontist Matters More than the Brand
The orthodontist is the person designing your treatment: we use digital technology but ultimately the plan is approved by the doctor. Patients often come in asking specifically for Invisalign by name, because it is the most heavily advertised aligner brand in the world. But the brand of aligner is only one part of the equation.
What matters far more is the skill and experience of the orthodontist prescribing and monitoring your treatment. Clear aligners do not straighten teeth on their own. They follow a treatment plan that is designed by your orthodontist, and the quality of that plan determines the quality of your result. At MacKenzie Orthodontics, Dr. MacKenzie personally designs all digital treatments for all patients: whether they have braces or clear aligners.
This is why we offer two aligner systems at MacKenzie Orthodontics: Invisalign and Angel Aligner. We choose the right system for each patient based on their specific clinical needs, not based on which brand has the bigger marketing budget.
Practically Every Patient is a Candidate for Clear Aligners
If you are a candidate for braces, then you are a candidate for clear aligners.
Patients who are candidate for aligners may have:
- Moderate to severe crowding
- Moderate to severe spacing
- Large overjet (what patients refer to as an overbite)
- Deep bite or open bite
- Crossbite on the front or back teeth
- Even patients with impacted canines or who require jaw surgery can be treated with aligners
There are certain types of tooth movement that are more efficient with aligners, and some that are more efficient with braces. In some situations, we use a combination of aligners on all the teeth and partial braces on the teeth that require the most tooth movement.
At your free consultation at MacKenzie Orthodontics, we will give you a completely transparent assessment of whether aligners are the right fit for your case, and if not, what we recommend instead.
The 22-Hour Rule is Real
Every clear aligner system comes with the same instruction: wear your aligners for 22 hours per day minimum. This means you remove them only to eat and to brush and floss.
This is not a guideline: it is a clinical requirement. Aligners work by applying constant gentle pressure to move teeth. If you are taking them out for three or four hours a day because you forget to put them on after you eat, your teeth are not receiving that pressure. Treatment slows down, and in some cases, teeth begin to drift back.
The patients who get the best results with aligners are the ones who commit to wearing them consistently.
Yes, You Do Have to Wear Your Elastics
Many people choose clear aligners specifically because they want a discreet, comfortable treatment experience. In order to correct a large overbite or underbite, sometimes you need to wear elastics. Elastics are attached to the aligner using elastic buttons. Elastics change the relationship between the upper and lower teeth (what we refer to as the “bite”).
At MacKenzie Orthodontics, this is one of the reasons we use Angel Aligner for most of our comprehensive cases. Angel Aligner has the elastic buttons integrated directly into the aligner itself, so no metal buttons are bonded to your teeth. This makes the experience significantly more comfortable and keeps your oral hygiene routine simple throughout treatment.
Retention is Forever
We discuss retainers at every consultation appointment. Once your aligner treatment is complete and you have the smile you have been working toward, you will need to wear retainers for as long as you want straight teeth..
Teeth have a natural tendency to drift back toward their original positions, especially in the first year after treatment. Retainers prevent this from happening. All patients who have had braces need to wear retainers, all patients who have had aligners need to wear retainers.
Retention is not a flaw in the system: it is long-term protection of the investment in your smile.
Results Take Time, But Technology Has Improved
“How long will my treatment take?”: this is one of the most common questions about clear aligners. It depends on the complexity of the treatment. Minor corrections can be completed in 3 months: for those I usually recommend Invisalign Touch Up. Comprehensive treatment typically takes 12-18 months: this treatment is suitable for most teens and adults. Very complex treatment such as surgical orthodontic treatment or preparation for implants or treatment of impacted canines may be longer that 24 months.
Modern technology has made treatment easier, faster, and more efficient. More precise fit means more predictable tooth movement, which means fewer refinements and, in many cases, faster overall treatment times.
The best way to get an accurate timeline for your specific situation is to book a consultation where we can assess your teeth and give you a realistic picture.
Learn more on our Invisalign and Clear Aligners page, and see our Orthodontic Retainers page for related information.