Inman Aligner vs. Invisalign: Why We Prefer the Inman Aligner

When it comes to straightening your teeth without the use of traditional metal braces, there are few options to choose from. However, two of the most common options adults choose to straighten their teeth are Invisalign clear braces and Inman Aligner.

In this article, we are going to compare Invisalign with Inman Aligner so you can see which one is right for you.

Note: The prime use of the Inman Aligner is for people who didn’t wear their retainer after braces and the front teeth have crowded again.

These people usually don’t want full braces again, so the Inman Aligner is a nice and simple way to make them happy. Invisalign can also do this, too, but is also used for full orthodontics, which the Inman Aligner can’t do.

So, for the purpose of this article, we are comparing the Inman Aligner with Invisalign based on how they fix the problem of front teeth crowding.

Let’s talk about Invisalign first

Invisalign works by creating a custom series of aligners that are designed to fit your teeth perfectly. Many adults like the idea of Invisalign because it enables him or her to straighten crooked teeth without the social stigma of being an adult with braces.

So, here are a few of the pros of Invisalign:

• Clear option for straightening your teeth
• Can work well for a variety of cases

Now, in addition to the pros of using Invisalign to straighten teeth, there are some cons that you need to consider when trying to determine whether or not Invisalign is the correct treatment option for you.

Here are a few of the cons associated with Invisalign:

• The aligners must be worn 24/7 except to eat and clean.
• You must remove aligners to eat or drink anything (except water).
• It’s important to brush your teeth after every meal to avoid discoloring or staining.
• New aligners are needed every 2 weeks, with visits to your dentist or orthodontist every 4-6 weeks.
• Invisalign is generally a more costly procedure when compared to the Inman Aligner.

So what about the Inman Aligner?

Now, let’s move on and discuss the Inman Aligner, which is a treatment we offer at Lifetime Smiles. Having done both invisalign and the Inman aligner, Dr. Forester finds the Inman is more effective for most patients.

The Inman Aligner (as we mentioned at the beginning of the article) fits a certain patient profile, and is very effective at accomplishing the goals patients want to achieve in those situations.

The Inman Aligner and Invisalign really have different target audiences. Invisalign is a system that is designed to be a comprehensive orthodontics solution, and at least in the orthodontist world, most of them charge as much or more for Invisalign than they do for regular braces. Part of the reason for that is because the shells themselves are so expensive.

The ideal patient for Inman Aligner treatment is an adult who had braces when they were kids (or maybe they didn’t), and they quit wearing their retainers and now their bottom teeth or their top teeth have started to shift and crowd again.

While they certainly don’t like the fact that their teeth are crowded, they do not want to do braces again (metal braces carry a social stigma for some, and Invisalign is an expensive procedure).

The Inman Aligner is a much less expensive, much quicker way to straighten those front four teeth and reduce crowding on the upper or lower four teeth. Sometimes at Lifetime Smiles we do go to an Invisalign-like concept and we use a series of clear shells for very minor movement.

So to recap, here are the pros and cons of using the Inman Aligner compared to Invisalign:

Here are a few of the pros of using an Inman Aligner:

• Easy to remove and clean
• Less expensive than Invisalign or metal braces
• Works quickly
• Only one is needed (aligners do not need to be replaced as treatment progresses)
• Great solution for crowding of the upper and lower front teeth in adults

While we think the Inman Aligner is a great solution for our patients suffering from front teeth crowding issues, here are a few of the things some people have expressed as cons when wearing the Inman Aligner:

• The Inman Aligner has a small metal bar, which can be seen
• It is more bulky than clear shells
• Only works for crowding of the front teeth
• You have adjustments every two weeks

So What is the best option for you?

At Lifetime Smiles, we believe in making sure each patient gets the proper treatment that is right for them. Above, we have outlined the pros and cons of both Invisalign and the Inman aligner in order to help you make an educated decision on which one is right for you.

So, if you want to learn more about the Inman Aligner and how our Johns Creek dentist, Dr. Jim Forester, can help restore your smile, contact us today!

Posted by Lifetime Smiles
9590 Medlock Bridge Rd, Suite F, Johns Creek, GA 30097
Phone: 678-730-6754