Will Invisalign Lite Fix My Smile?

Because fixing orthodontic issues with braces comes with its fair share of adjustments, many patients consider another popular treatment option—Invisalign. This invisible treatment system allows you to get straight teeth by using removable aligners, which results in a more comfortable and convenient experience. What many patients don’t know is you can choose an abbreviated version of Invisalign, called Invisalign Lite, if you qualify.

What Is Invisalign Lite?

Invisalign Lite works the same way regular Invisalign works. You wear a series of plastic aligners that gradually move your teeth to their preferred positions. These trays are clear and can be removed while eating, drinking, and brushing and flossing. Otherwise, they should be worn day and night to achieve at least 22 hours of wear time every day.

With Invisalign Lite, you generally use only 14 trays and you can expect the treatment to be complete in 6 to 12 months. This is significantly shorter than the conventional Invisalign treatment, which usually lasts between 12 and 24 months.

How to Know if Invisalign Lite is Right for You

Invisalign Lite is designed for patients who need relatively minor corrections. Because the treatment plan for Invisalign Lite is shorter than regular Invisalign, it can’t handle very severe cases. Mild to moderate crowding, spacing, and misalignments can all be remedied by Invisalign Lite without any issues. But if your need for teeth-straightening exceeds these cases, you’re best going with regular Invisalign or traditional braces.

There are a few reasons patients end up being able to use Invisalign Lite instead of other forms of orthodontic treatment. Some patients just hit the genetic lottery, resulting in a smile that already looks fairly straight. However, having a straight smile isn’t the only reason to get orthodontic treatment. Not only will Invisalign Lite result in an even straighter smile, it will also set you up for better oral health down the road.

Some patients fail to wear their retainers as instructed. Wearing your retainer is crucial for maintaining the results of orthodontic treatment with braces or Invisalign because it prevents your teeth from shifting toward their original positions. Many patients accidentally break their retainers or lose it at some point and fail to get it replaced. If this happened to you, you’ve likely already noticed some slight shifts in your teeth back. Invisalign Lite is perfect for taking care of the minor shifts that can occur if patients stop wearing their retainer. While you may be hesitant to undergo orthodontic treatment a second time if you fall into this category, keep in mind that Invisalign Lite is less expensive than other treatment options and will be over quickly.

To learn more about orthodontic treatment options and your specific needs, contact Dabney Orthodontics today to schedule a free consultation.