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In-Office Invisalign vs At-home Clear Aligners: What’s the Difference?

Love Yourself, Love Your Smile

in-office-invisalign-vs-at-home-clear-aligners
  • Dr. Monica Madan
  • October 13, 2022

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we are not shy to say that we love Invisalign. Comfortable for patients and versatile enough to treat complex issues, Invisalign gives patients and physicians something to smile about.

Approved by the FDA in 1998, Invisalign introduced the world to clear aligner treatment—an orthodontic process that uses sets of transparent, removable aligners to gradually straighten misaligned teeth. When Invisalign first hit the market, many were hesitant to believe that clear aligners could successfully correct alignment issues as promised. But patients and orthodontic professionals alike quickly realized that Invisalign was the real deal, and clear aligners soared in popularity. 

In decades since then, clear aligner treatment has changed in a number of ways. For instance:

  • Clear aligners can now correct issues faster 
  • More patients qualify for treatment thanks to hardware improvements 
  • Orthodontists can use clear aligners in combination with advanced procedures to treat severe alignment problems

Beyond these changes, we’ve also seen the rise of at-home aligner kits. 

Offered by companies like SmileDirectClub, Byte, and AlignerCo, at-home aligners promise to bring orthodontics directly to the patient. Everything from impressions to aligner successions is handled in the home by the patient, with no orthodontic office visits necessary. Sounds too good to be true, right? Well, there’s a good chance that it is. 

If you’re considering one of these options, exploring in-office Invisalign vs at-home clear aligners can help you choose a safe, effective treatment path.

In-Office Invisalign Vs. At-Home Clear Aligners: Treatment Possibilities

As we touched on above, clear aligner treatment has improved substantially since Invisalign hit the market in the early 2000s. Today’s aligner treatment is faster, more accessible, and capable of correcting more complex issues than older aligners could. However, some of these benefits only extend to in-office aligner treatment. 

In broad terms, clear aligner treatment alone can only treat mild-to-moderate alignment issues, such as:

  • Light crowding
  • Small overbites
  • Minor tooth gaps 

But severe misalignment and significant tooth overlap require additional procedures. 

If you partner with an orthodontist like BHO’s own Dr. Monica Mada, this isn’t a problem. Dr. Madan has years of experience using Invisalign to treat all types of alignment problems. To do so, she creates custom treatment plans that include innovative procedures and hardware—something at-home clear aligner companies can’t offer. When considering in-office Invisalign vs at-home clear aligners, that makes a huge difference.

With the guidance of an orthodontist, in-office Invisalign provides a path to the perfect smile for virtually anyone.

Because of the demand for fast treatment for minor alignment issues, we have developed BHO Direct. This is a discounted program for minimal tooth movements. It’s meant to give patients an affordable option but still have the oversight of an orthodontist. This is a new and special offering for those who may feel they may be priced out of seeing an orthodontist in office.

 

In-Office Invisalign Vs. At-Home Clear Aligners: Reliability

If you’ve seen an at-come clear aligner commercial before, you’ve likely heard that at-home clear aligners are just as effective as Invisalign. We’re very skeptical of this claim. After all, once you take the orthodontist out of orthodontic work, things can go very wrong, very fast. 

At-home aligners are associated with numerous problems, including:

  • Acute jaw pain
  • Migraines
  • Worsened orthodontic problems
  • Broken aligners

In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists has issued a consumer alert to warn against the use of at-home aligner treatment. As they point out, incorrect aligner treatment “could lead to potentially irreversible and expensive damage such as tooth and gum loss, changed bites, and other issues.”

In-office Invisalign under the guidance of an orthodontist, on the other hand, is incredibly safe and reliable. Orthodontists receive years of in-depth training to treat complex issues and can prevent many of the problems associated with clear aligner treatment, including posterior open bites [LINK TO: “Preventing a Posterior Open Bite from Invisalign: What You Need to Know” when live]. When you choose to work with an experienced orthodontist, you can be confident you’ll get the best outcome. 

In-Office Invisalign Vs. At-Home Clear Aligners: Cost

At-home clear aligner companies often taut cost as one of their biggest advantages. For example, SmileDirectClub and Byte commercials often feature seemingly incredible prices for 6 and 12-month treatment plans. Who doesn’t want an improved smile for cheap?

Unfortunately, as the old adage goes, you get what you pay for.

While it is true that you can save money by eliminating the orthodontist from your orthodontic treatment, this comes at a cost: no one is there for you if something goes wrong. When you enter into treatment without a doctor, you won’t have anyone available to:

  • Examine your teeth and gums to ensure that you are a good candidate for Invisalign
  • Monitor your progress and keep treatment on track
  • Make adjustments to your treatment plan in case complications occur

When you work with a professional orthodontist, your oral health is a priority and your treatment plan is perfectly built for your personal needs. 

That’s one of the most important things to consider when looking at in-office Invisalign vs. at-home clear aligners. At-home clear aligner companies simply can’t provide the personalization and instant support provided by an orthodontist. Your health is worth the investment. 

Dr. Madan with a patient.

Have More Questions? Beverly Hills Orthodontics Has Answers

As a VIP Diamond Plus Invisalign provider, Beverly Hills Orthodontics takes clear aligner treatment seriously. Although at-home clear aligners may provide some patients with straighter smiles, they can also cause permanent damage and lackluster results. When it comes to in-office Invisalign vs. at-home clear aligners, there is simply no replacement for professional orthodontic care.

Here at BHO, we take pride in creating outstanding experiences for our patients. We provide:

  • Comfortable treatment
  • Excellent results
  • Continuous support

From initial consultation to follow-up care, we’re with you every step of the way to ensure treatment success.

Your Smile Is More than just two rows of teeth - it's how you show your personality to the world.

Let Dr. Madan and her team help you help keep your smile looking (and feeling) better than ever.
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patient reviews

Enjoy our 5-star experience.

We are thankful for the opportunity to serve our communities with the highest quality care. Check out what our patients are saying about their 5-star experience with us!

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Before finding BHO, I had consultations both telling me traditional braces were my only option. I knew my case would be a bit challenging but as an adult, metal braces weren't going to work... for me, aesthetically speaking. I'm so glad I followed my instincts and gave BHO a shot! From the moment I walked in, I knew this was the place. Modern amenities with a super friendly staff explaining everything along the way - what a great first impression! I just started my treatment and can't wait to see my results! Dr. Madan and her team are legit! Don't hesitate to get the smile your deserve!read more
Nydia J.
Our entire experience with the staff and services at Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been fantastic. Their knowledge, advice and care has been exceptional and I have no hesitation in... recommending them to anyone looking for first class orthodontic care. Special shout outs to Dr Madan and Gabriel for their above and beyond care❤️read more
Juliet P.
What a wonderful experience. Dr. Madan and the entire staff are professional, kind, and very understanding. So far they have made the experience of Invisalign extremely easy. I just wish I... had gone there sooner!read more
Claire P.
I recently relocated to Los Angeles and not long after being here needed to have some repair dental work done and did not know where to turn. I was given a referral to Dr. Madan and could... not be happier. I was able to receive an appointment really quickly and was advised of an immediate plan of action to get my corrective work going. Dr. Madan is extremely knowledgeable about her craft and to top it off, she has a great temperament that instantly put me at ease and made me feel like she genuinely cared. Her Beverly Hills office is vibrant, with really friendly & pleasant staff, who make you feel comfortable and bring all the right vibes! No question I would recommend Beverly Hills Orthodontics to anyone looking to have work done on their teeth and perfect their smile.read more
Dionnee H.
Dr. Madan and her team at BHO are truly amazing. She has treated myself and my daughter and we both now have BEAUTIFUL smiles because of her. She is an expert at what she does and is... caring and attentive. I recommend this office to everyone all the time!!!!!! The best!!!read more
Mia C.
Tia literally invented the Invisalign game. Changing lives one smile at a time.
William S.
BHO is the only place where you'd want to get your braces done! Their staff is so friendly and knowledgeable. Their helpdesk staff always greet you with a smile on. Dr. Madan and her team... of technicians are always ready to answer all of your questions, address any concerns and get you on the road to obtaining the perfect Smile.read more
Bella M.
Amazing people and amazing results-Highly recommend
Ben S.
I’m impressed by the technology and professionalism of Beverly Hills Orthodontics. They are knowledgeable about my unique orthodontic needs and were able to provide recommendations on my... treatment as an adult patient. I’m very excited to begin my Invisalign journey!read more
Victoria G.
Best Orthodontics around! Dr. Madan and her amazing team are always on point, bringing both my kids beautiful smiles. Have been coming to the BH office for several years now and absolutely... love the results and customer service! Would (and have) highly recommended them!read more
J I.
We had a terrific experience with Dr. Madan. They always worked with our schedule and made us feel welcome and happy at each appointment.
Audrey K.
Great experience. Treatment was quick and easy for me and the staff was great to deal with and professional. I’m very happy with my new smile.
Steve V.
I usually don’t do many reviews but I had to for this office! I am myself a Pediatric Dentist and I researched for the best office for my daughter. She just finished her Invisalign ... treatment at Beverly Hills Orthodontics and we are so happy with her smile! I have been practicing Dentistry for over 20 years and I am so impressed with the team here. From the front desk to the Doctors and their assistants, everyone has made our experience so wonderful! As a Dentist, I would recommend BHO for anyone wanting to improve their smile😊read more
Nina G
BHO is awesome and Dr. Monica Madan and their team are so friendly, welcoming, and knowledgeable. I started with some aesthetic improvements for my wedding photos and was very impressed... with the initial results. However, I had a major cross-bite that would typically require surgery to correct, which wasn’t appealing. After consultation with Monica she thought it would be possible to correct with Invisalign so we decided to proceed for the long haul. While it’s been a long time, the results have been outstanding. I wasn’t sure I would be able to be B withstand that long of the treatment and achieve these results but after seeing the progress it’s been very encouraging and motivating to stick with it. I’m likely on my last refinement and the before and after is remarkable and transformative. Their office is always bright, clean, and has a lively vibe going on. Always feel good being there and better when I leave. Couldn’t recommend them more highly enough. Monica has done a great job building this out and creating a great team and experience.read more
Matt W.
Beverly Hills Orthodontics has been a wonderful experience. The team are extremely professional and experienced. I completed my Invisalign treatment today and had enameloplasty and zoom... whitening to complete the treatment. I’m so happy with the results. Dr. Madan, Gabriel, and the rest of the team listened to my concerns, set up several check-up appointments with me to follow my progress, and provided me with refinements when my teeth were being stubborn. The office is also a great atmosphere with current music playing, friendly staff, and amazing views of Los Angeles from the dentist chair! I would highly recommend this orthodontic practice. Thank you, everyone!read more
Sophie D.
Great overall service staff was very helpful with explaining process. Would highly recommend as it was a smooth process with no surprises along the way.Would like to highlight the... multiple locations which make it easy for scheduling appointments dependent on where you live or what part of LA you will be in that day.read more
Sean M.
My son and daughter have been coming here for years! Absolutely love them.
Tarja C.
I started my Invisalign treatments here and the staff was really friendly and patient with all my concerns and questions. Love it!
Jana M.
Super great experience! Came in for my consultation around the beginning of the year with a plan in mind to have my teeth straight before graduation through Invisalign and the BHO team... completely surpassed my expectations. My USC graduation is in 2 weeks, I just got my brackets off and smile is looking awesome. Annabel and Gabriel were so welcoming, friendly, and made the experience that much better. Dr. Madan was awesome she was always around and extremely hands on, great personality! Definitely come here if you’re looking for an orthodontist!! 10/10! :)read more
Eva P.
Really great experience so far, especially compared to other ortho places where I've had treatment before. For example, my partner went to another place and doesn't hear from them for... months at a time, whereas this place uses an app to keep in touch every week.They were running a special when I signed up which took nearly $1,000 off invisalign - super helpful considering the price!!! I don't think it runs all the time so you might want to ask them - but they combined it with my dental insurance so the cost came out really affordable... less than $100/month for 12 months.Even when I needed tooth filing, attachments, and refinements across multiple visits, they were super kind and flexible to meet my very very hectic schedule definitely recommend going here!read more
Jonathan B.
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