Over the past 10 years, Invisalign treatment in Dublin and across Ireland has surged in popularity. Clear aligners have taken the orthodontic world by storm. With massive marketing campaigns aimed directly at patients, aligners have been promoted as the most modern and convenient solution to straighten teeth. However, when comparing braces vs aligners, some companies even suggested that you could skip seeing an orthodontist altogether and complete your treatment from the comfort of your own home.
As many patients have since learned the hard way, it was too good to be true. A number of these companies faced lawsuits, complaints, and even bankruptcy, leaving many people with disappointing results and unfinished treatment.
Absolutely! In the right hands. Any trained orthodontist with experience in clear aligner therapy, especially when combined with a commitment to achieving high-quality outcomes, understands that aligners can be highly effective. But like any tool, they come with limitations.
There’s a growing trend to use the number of aligner cases treated as a sign of expertise. While volume is relevant, it should be paired with consistently excellent outcomes based on orthodontic standards. Large numbers of cases without good finishing quality often reflect more on a clinician’s inexperience than expertise.
Invisalign, Spark, and Angel Aligners are examples of clear aligner therapy systems. The most widely known and commonly used brand is Invisalign, which led the way in commercialising clear aligner therapy globally.
As someone with extensive experience in aligner therapy, including board certification through the European Board of Aligner Orthodontics (EBAO), here are some situations where fixed braces (including invisible lingual braces) remain the better option:
A deep bite occurs when the lower front teeth sit too high and get trapped behind the upper front teeth. While aligners can, in theory, help reduce this overbite by intruding the front teeth, in reality, the process is very slow—especially in adults. Fixed braces are far more efficient and predictable in these cases.
Aligners can be used successfully in extraction cases, and I have treated many such cases with excellent outcomes. However, treatment time tends to be significantly longer compared to fixed braces, which are generally more efficient in managing complex space closure.
Although aligners can de-rotate teeth using attachments and auxiliaries, the process is slower, especially when multiple teeth are involved. Fixed braces allow for more consistent control of rotation.
Severe overjet (upper teeth protruding) or underbite (lower teeth ahead of the upper teeth) often require around 30 months of treatment. Most patients struggle to wear aligners diligently for that long, and fixed appliances offer more reliable outcomes. If extractions are also needed, fixed braces are usually a better fit.
When the upper jaw is too narrow, especially if the lower arch is very wide, fixed braces with CAD/CAM-designed wires or skeletal expansion methods like RPE or MARPE are often required. Aligners, on their own, can struggle to achieve the same level of correction, especially in moderate to severe cases.
Aligners only work if worn as prescribed—20 to 22 hours a day. Patients who struggle with compliance may never get the results they hope for, not because of the aligners themselves, but because they aren’t used properly. Fixed braces remove this variable, though they still require attendance at appointments.
There are some specific situations where aligners are preferable:
Every patient is different, and there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to orthodontic treatment. That’s why it’s essential to be assessed by a specialist orthodontist who is experienced with all treatment options—from traditional fixed braces to invisible lingual braces, clear aligners, MARPE expansion, and even surgical orthodontics.
If you’re exploring Invisalign treatment in Dublin or want an expert opinion on whether clear aligners or braces are right for you, book a consultation with a specialist orthodontist who can offer a full range of treatment options. Whether it’s Invisalign, lingual braces, or surgical orthodontics, having a personalised plan is the key to a confident smile.
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I recommend and prescribe orthodontic treatments to my patients as if they were my own family and I value meaningful relationships based on communication, confidence and trust.
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