If you’ve been trying to choose between clear plastic aligners and clear braces, you’ve probably come across a trendy ad or two for something that isn’t what it seems: Counterfeit clear aligners that look a little bit like Invisalign®, but will not offer you the quality, safety, and excellent results you really want.
As a board-certified family orthodontist, Dr. Beauchamp wants to help you make an informed decision about your orthodontic health. Even if you’ve accidentally purchased a counterfeit clear aligner, there’s still time to limit potential damage to your teeth and gums and start moving toward real progress. Let’s take a look at the facts.
Does It Matter if You Get Real Invisalign® Aligners?
Yes! Invsialign® is the “clear alternative” to ordinary braces. It’s been used successfully by millions of people all around the world. It was approved in 1998 and has the longest history of any comparable orthodontic device.
When you choose Invisalign®, you’re getting a solution with a proven record of success. You don’t have to worry about negative side effects like the ones you could suffer from using fake plastic aligners with toxic materials.
Genuine Invisalign® aligners make a real difference:
You Can Be Sure You’re Getting the Right Treatment
Fake aligners can be tempting because of the purported convenience of ordering them directly from a website. But that doesn’t tell the whole story. To even know if aligners can help with your condition, you need to see a Central Florida orthodontist. Aligners will have no effect on the most severe tooth gaps and misalignment.
You Get Support Throughout Your Treatment
With genuine Invisalign®, you’ll have a few follow-up appointments throughout the course of your care. There are fewer appointments than with metal braces, but they are still important. Your orthodontist ensures you’re on track for the results you want. Plus, you can get any questions or concerns dealt with.
You Reduce the Risk of Side Effects
Fake aligners are usually produced overseas under unknown conditions. They don’t follow any of the safety rules that have made Invisalign® one of the safest and most effective orthodontic treatments. You could get severe allergic reactions or deal with pain and soreness resulting from a bad fit. It’s just not worth it!
How Do You Know If Your Aligners Are Fake?
If you’ve accidentally purchased fake clear aligners, it’s not too late to get on track.
Here’s how you can tell:
Your Aligners Don’t Fit Correctly
First and foremost, your aligners should fit perfectly! Aligners that are too small will cause friction that can damage your gums. On the other hand, aligners that are too big won’t apply the right level of pressure to a dental arch so the teeth move into a healthy position. If you feel like your aligners are flopping around, they simply won’t do you any good – and they might even cause damage. Real aligners are custom-made for you.
You Get No Visible Results
It may take a few months for a new patient to notice results from genuine Invisalign® aligners. That’s especially true of adult patients: treatment takes a little bit longer for them. Soon enough, though, results will be visible. When nothing is happening, it’s a sign that you don’t have the right solution for you. Unfortunately, counterfeit aligners sometimes move teeth in unwanted ways, which can make genuine orthodontic treatment take longer.
The Sizing Is All DIY
When you sit to get genuine Invisalign® aligners sized, your local family orthodontist will take detailed digital images of your teeth and mouth. Your orthodontist may even use and be able to show you ClinCheck® on their computer. This is used to fabricate your Invisalign® aligners so you get the perfect remedy for your unique orthodontic challenge. Counterfeit aligners often use DIY sizing. If you’re asked to apply heat to aligners and then size them yourself when they’re malleable, you have a dangerous counterfeit.
Shape, Logo, or Design Is Missing or “Off”
Many of these products are designed to be passed off as genuine Invisalign® aligners, so you have to be on your guard. Check the packaging of the item you receive and the aligners themself. Invisalign® is typically ordered by your orthodontist and you’ll come pick up your first set. If the aligners are thick, have. a tint or color on them, and/or don’t have any markings, they may have been fabricated by whoever you purchased them from. Invisalign® aligners are provided in sets that you switch out every 2 weeks and will have the brand’s trademark logo.
Real aligners save time and stress. Providing a much more comfortable fit from the start, and getting you the right results – almost always in less time than other options. You could even save more money in the long run. Book your consultation today to find out more and get started with real Invisalign® aligners.