According to the commercials, Invisalign, a recent development in orthodontic dentistry, is getting rave reviews as an alternative to traditional braces. In place of metal brackets and wires running across your smile, Invisalign trays are undetectable but work as well as traditional teeth-straightening procedures. Unfortunately, the commercials don't tell us that this process is not effective for everyone. While the trays really will straighten the teeth and improve the smile for most people, there are still some with conditions that cannot be treated this way, and who will have to wear more traditional braces.

With Invisalign braces, the orthodontic movement of the teeth is accomplished by using a set of almost invisible plastic aligners that gradually straighten the teeth. The tray should be left in the mouth at all times except when eating and drinking, and then as the teeth move, it is replaced. Many adults are opting for the Invisalign process because of the tray's invisibility. Adults in particular are often self-conscious about being seen in traditional braces, especially in the professional world.

New aligners will be needed every two weeks. With each new set, a trip to the orthodontist and a short time of adjustment is required. Sometimes as the teeth move, the bite may tend to feel "off;" however, that feeling should disappear once the treatment is finished and the person is wearing a retainer at night.

This process does not come without some unanticipated difficulties. Because the trays are removable, patients have to take responsibility for keeping them in; otherwise the teeth will not move as they should. The aligners also need to be removed before eating and the teeth have to be brushed and flossed before the trays can be put back in the mouth.

The cost of this process can run much higher than traditional orthodontic procedures. As with most procedures, the cost will differ with each provider. The price will also be based on the amount of work required and the length of the treatment period. For those with dental insurance, be sure to check to see if this process is covered, and of course, ask your dentist if financing is available.

As with some other medical or cosmetic procedures, consumer reviews for Invisalign are mixed. Some are delighted with the new smile and the fact that they were able to accomplish this goal without the tell-tale metal brackets. Others indicate that the discomfort with the new trays was beyond expectations. As is always the case, anyone contemplating this teeth-straightening technique would be well-advised to do some research before making a decision.