Invisalign Reviews, Costs, Problems, Alternatives, Lawsuits, and Complaints — Are They Legit?

Anyone who has wanted to get their teeth straightened has probably already heard of Invisalign clear aligners. You might have even seen or read about this braces alternative on TV, in songs, and on the internet. Invisalign has grown in popularity in the past few years, promising to help people gain confident smiles. At Impressions Dental, we want to dive deeper into the trend and analyze Invisalign reviews to help you get an unbiased perspective of everything.

What are people saying about Invisalign? In a compilation of reviews by Consumer Affairs, the most popular five-star review discusses the experience of a 62-year-old person who got Invisalign. It took only five months before the person’s teeth were fully aligned, which helped them eat healthier and even lose weight.

In the same compilation, there were several one-star reviews. The most popular ones describe the following issues.

• A woman started getting more cavities and experienced toothaches daily.
• Another person started developing jaw issues, which eventually developed into temporomandibular joint (TMJ) problems.
• An Invisalign user developed TMJ and facial pain. They later learned from an orthodontist that Invisalign shouldn’t be recommended for people with a history of TMJ and bite issues.

Based on these statements, do you believe that Invisalign is still worth the expense and trouble? Keep reading to learn more.

Invisalign Clear Aligner Costs and Prices

The costs of Invisalign clear braces vary widely. There are several factors that affect the price range, such as the complexity and length of the treatment. Since Invisalign is usually administered by dentists, the practice also has the prerogative to assign a price range that fits its team’s experience and level of service.

According to Forbes, Invisalign prices in 2024 range from $1,200 to $8,000. Invisalign Express has the lowest costs since the treatment only requires up to five aligners. On the flip side, those who require extensive teeth alignment treatments require more than 20 aligners over several months or years, driving costs to $8,000 in the most severe cases.

Typical Invisalign Invisible Braces Complaints

Despite its popularity, Invisalign braces aren’t always the perfect treatment. Here are some of the common complaints among past users.

• Discomfort – The most common complaint about Invisalign smile aligners is that they cause discomfort. This issue doesn’t stop after the first use. Whenever you get new aligners, you’ll experience pain and difficulty speaking or eating. This discomfort may last for up to three.
• Increase Chances of Developing Cavities – Invisalign by itself doesn’t cause it. However, improper oral hygiene makes you more prone to developing cavities while wearing Invisalign invisible teeth aligners. The way these fit around your teeth traps food. The trapped particles can cause dental caries to develop.
• TMJ Issues – Some of the reviews we mentioned have indicated that Invisalign can cause TMJ problems. Many dentists believe that invisible aligners won’t cause problems. However, such braces can cause TMJ issues to worsen before things get better. For this reason, it’s important for patients to discuss their current problems to ensure they get the right treatment. While popular, Invisalign is not the one-all-be-all solution for bite or teeth alignment issues.

Invisalign Invisible Teeth Aligner Failure Rates

A survey by the company that makes Invisalign indicates 96% success rates. Only 4% of customers were dissatisfied with the results. Of course, we need to take these figures with a grain of salt since the entity that commissioned the survey is the manufacturer of Invisalign.

Another study published by Canadian researchers showed that around 70% of participants responded positively to questions about the Invisalign treatments. However, around 24% had complaints about food packing, while 16% mentioned the pain they experienced as a source of dissatisfaction. Still, most of the participants agreed that these minor complaints were not that bad compared to the overall positive experience they had with Invisalign.

Invisalign Lawsuits

There are no lawsuits against Invisalign that focus on personal injury or product liability as far as we can tell. However, dentists have filed a class action lawsuit against Invisalign’s Align Technology, Inc. The lawsuit alleges that Align Technology, Inc. followed anticompetitive conduct by selling aligners at a higher price when purchased directly from them.

The class action lawsuit has little to do with product safety or liability. However, people can file a claim against Invisalign and its manufacturer if they suffered bodily injury because of the treatment. Personal injury law may be applicable for such cases, allowing people to gain compensation for the economic and noneconomic damages they suffered.

Invisalign Alternatives and Invisalign Competitors

While Invisalign is arguably the most popular invisible brace brand, it has several competitors. Here’s how it compares to other similar products in the market.

• Invisalign vs Byte: Byte is a popular clear aligner brand focusing on at-home clear aligners. Byte will deliver the aligners to the patients’ home patients’ can do the installation themselves. On the other hand, Invisalign will require the supervision of a dentist or orthodontist during the entire treatment. Thanks to the involvement of oral care experts, Invisalign is generally safer and more effective than Byte aligners.
• Invisalign vs. Smile Direct Club: Smile Direct Club had a business model similar to that of Byte. The company offered at-home invisible aligners. However, Smile Direct Club has since ceased operations because the company accumulated debt. Many patients complained about the clear aligners causing major dental issues like tooth loss.
• Invisalign vs. Smileie: Smileie is another at-home clear aligner company. It’s similar to Invisalign in that it provides invisible teeth aligners, but Smileie is more comparable to Byte and Smile Direct Club than Invisalign. This company is among the most affordable options, with aligners costing as little as $849. However, Smileie has faced scrutiny similar to Byte, given that the treatment is mostly DIY in nature.

Statistics About Invisalign and Other Clear Aligners

We’ve shared many insightful statistics about Invisalign and other similar treatments to help you make more informed decisions. Here are a few things you should know.

Clear Aligners

• The biggest market for clear aligners is teenagers, taking up to 71% of the market share. This data is not surprising, given how people in this demographic are conscious about appearances. Clear aligners are more subtle compared to traditional braces, so teens feel less insecure wearing the former.
• There is a growing demand for clear aligners, with the market having an expected compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 24%.
• More dentists are including clear aligners in their treatment options. Utilization rate has increased to 17.5 cases per doctor compared to 14.5 in 2020.

Invisible Braces

• The invisible braces market, which includes clear aligners and lingual braces, may reach $21.2 billion in market share by 2032.
• Most types of invisible braces have similar pricing as Invisalign aligners. For example, the country’s average cost is around $4,000 to $7,000.
• Compared to Invisalign, ceramic braces can take up to a minimum of 18 months to achieve the desired results.

Invisalign

• Around17% of Invisalign users will switch to traditional because of issues they encountered with the clear aligners.
• Most Invisalign treatments will require 2.5 refinement scans to ensure that the teeth reach their desired final places before the end of the treatment.
• People may need to wear the Invisalign clear aligners between 20 to 22 hours a day to get the best results.

Book a Free Appointment with Impressions Dental

Invisalign is not the miracle teeth alignment solution that marketing makes it out to be. This treatment should be approached with the right mindset and an understanding that it might not fit your specific case. Otherwise, you could face issues that some people have encountered, such as TMJ problems and tooth loss.

We recommend working with dentists who have extensive experience with Invisalign, such as our team. We conduct comprehensive tests and consultations to determine if Invisalign is the best option for your case. If clear aligners are the way to go, we provide legitimate price quotes and guidance on using them properly. That way, you’ll have all the knowledge you need to proceed with confidence.

Let us help you achieve that Hollywood smile. Aside from Invisalign, we offer other treatments like veneers, crowns, and smile makeovers. Contact us today to book a free appointment in Chandler, Arizona.