Dr Tariq Drabu, a leading dentist and specialist oral surgeon from Manchester, UK, has published a blog post detailing the many alternatives to Invisalign clear aligners that are currently available on the market.
The blog post, published on Web Dental, begins by espousing the many benefits of Invisalign, one of the most popular orthodontic treatments in the world for fixing teeth alignment. Primarily, Invisalign treatments can be customized to each patient’s specific needs with a consultation. They are virtually invisible making it the treatment of choice for those who prefer to be discreet or are self-conscious about getting traditional metal braces.
Invisalign aligners are also removable giving patients the ability to take them out when they are eating, brushing, or flossing. Patients also enjoy faster treatments compared to metal braces with most needing Invisalign for no more than 6 to 18 months. Finally, due to the mature and reproducible nature of the Invisalign technology, which uses 3D imaging to create customized treatment plans, the results are much more predictable. Patients also get to visualize the results of the treatment before it is even started.
Dr. Drabu talks about the many benefits of Invisalign by saying, “Invented by Stanford MBA graduate Zia Chisti in 1997, it is the most well-known brand of clear aligners available for patients worldwide today. They are comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, two benefits that the metal braces in use before Invisalign could not lay claim to. However, today, there are many more options available that each have their pros and cons and maybe a better match for you, based on your needs and budget.”
In the blog post titled “Invisalign Alternatives: What is the best clear aligner option?”, Dr. Tariq then discusses the four most popular alternatives that patients can opt for instead. Clear Correct aligners are thinner compared to Invisalign and are much more cost-effective. Smile Direct Club uses a remote orthodontic model. Patients can receive treatment from home by sending in impressions of their teeth and having the finished aligners mailed to them.
Candid aligners are offered by qualified CandidPro providers in its network of licensed orthodontists. Patients can schedule monthly monitoring appointments via the CandidApp. Treatment using Candid aligners is, on average, shorter than Invisalign. Finally, Dr. Drabu introduces Byte, a clear aligner system that uses HyperByte technology, which helps accelerate treatment time. Byte also provides at-home impression kits and remote monitoring.
Dr. Tariq talks more about these alternatives by saying, “One of the main advantages that you get by going for an orthodontic treatment other than Invisalign is remote monitoring. Invisalign requires in-person visits every 6 to 8 weeks to monitor the progress of the treatment. With other options, such as Candid and Smile Direct Club, you can avoid those monitoring visits. Smile Direct Club also allows you to skip the initial dentist consultation and have the aligners delivered straight to your home. Several other considerations like cost and treatment time can be cut down on if you are not insistent on going for Invisalign and are open to its many capable alternatives.”
Dr. Tariq Drabu graduated from Manchester University in 1986, becoming one of the youngest dentists in the United Kingdom. He then went on to work in hospital dentistry at various local dental hospitals including Withington Hospital, Stafford District General Hospital, and Manchester Dental Hospital. He boasts a Fellowship in Dental Surgery in Edinburgh from the Royal College of Surgeons. He has also taught at the Manchester Dental Hospital and lectured and mentored over 500 oral surgery dentists.
Dr. Tariq now practices at the Langley Dental Practice, one of the best dental clinics in Middleton, England. The clinic has garnered an impressive overall rating of 4.7 out of 5.0 from over 200 reviews on its Google Business Profile.
Readers can head over to Dr. Tariq’s Web Dental Profile to read his other publications or check out this press release where he discusses the safety of cosmetic dental procedures.