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5 Important Differences Between Invisalign and Mail Order Aligners

more than smiles

Treatment place
Sherman & Balhoff Orthodontics
July 28, 2021
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Whenever you need a way to straighten your teeth and your smile, but don’t want to have to deal with normal metal braces, you have two options. You can use mail order aligners or Invisalign braces as an alternative to metal braces. Mail-order aligner brands give you DIY treatment from the comfort of your own home, although it does not have the advantages of a patented Invisalign treatment.

When it comes to comparing the two forms of alternative braces, you need to consider all of the differences before you can start making a real choice. Here are some of the differences between the two, as well as why you should get Invisalign if you have the option.

1. What is Included

One of the biggest differences between Invisalign and Mail Order braces is what is actually included with the retainers themselves. Invisalign comes with treatment options that include everything. These include all the aligners needed and the retainers as well, and you will receive all the necessary dental procedures from your dentist.

DIY braces on the other hand, tend to be much cheaper on the outset, but they also don’t include everything you need. The mail order braces tend to offer a complete 6-month treatment, but it doesn’t include everything.

The cost of the necessary procedures, extra aligners for refinements, and the supervision of a licensed orthodontist isn’t included. That can rack up a lot of extra dollars and can also cause problems for you if your mail order braces for your kid take longer than six weeks to get themselves treated.

2. The Quality Of The Material

Most Invisalign are made from various high quality materials, and these include the SmartTrack plastic design. SmartTrack plastic is designed to be very durable, flexible, and long lasting. Additionally, each of the SmartTrack braces are surgically done by a dentist to be perfectly aligned to your teeth.

Invisalign clear braces can also use Invisalign SmartForce attachments, and iTero Scanning. These are materials patented to be used with the treatment, and they are not available anywhere else. They are only to be used by the licensed dental professionals to treat patients who are in-office.

 

Mail order braces don’t have that level of car, and the braces do not have access to the patented technology such as the SmartTrack plastics. They use basic generic plastic which isn’t as durable or flexible. The mail order aligners are not as well made when compared to their Invisalign counterparts.

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligner that can be used by licensed orthodontics only, and it is patented. If you find DIY braces being sold and promising to use Invisalign technology, then it isn’t a store that you want to buy from.

3. The Aligners Have X-rays

X-rays are always needed whenever any orthodontic treatment is required, and you need to get them no matter what type of braces you need. For Invisaligners, you will receive x-rays with your included costs, but with mail-order companies you need to pay out of pocket. This is a separate cost from your clear aligner treatment.

4. They Don’t Treat the Same Conditions

While Mail order aligners can straighten your teeth (possibly) and make sure they fall in line, they can only support mild to moderate cases. Mail Order aligners have you doing all of the work by yourself without the direct support of an orthodontist, so you can only do the bare minimum without any extra help.

The mail order aligners also don’t use attachments, which are supposed to give your aligners a better grip. However, these Invisalign attachments are used with Invisaligners and can also be used for complex cases. You will be working with a specialist at our office while you order and use your invisaligners, and tour doctors make sure that you are using them correctly. Our Orthodontists will be able to give you full support, and also help you out as things go on.

Invisalign can treat far more cases than the mail order clear aligners, and can also treat the more serious cases.

5. The Speed Difference

While some Mail Order Aligners like to boast that they can give you results in 6 months of using their product, we know that it works differently. Only the mild and moderate cases work well after six months, while longer cases will need more time. It is very difficult to figure out how much time you need without using the aid of an orthodontist.

Unless you have the direct supervision of a licensed orthodontist, you might have problems figuring out if issues arise. An orthodontist will work with you to make sure that you are ready to go.

Plus, Invisalign can achieve results in 6 months without fail, even with more complex cases. Invisalign comes with a lot of other benefits to help with the speed, including all of the included and patented technology. The Invisalign braces are custom and tailor made to give you a step by step plan to get your mouth from where it is to where you want it to be. As you go through the process, you will get more and more from the Invisalign braces and the Orthodontist will be around to fix any problems.


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What Is the Best Invisalign for Kids?

If your child needs invisalign, you shouldn’t put off purchasing it for them. You should stay away from mail order retainers, and only get Invisalign for your needs. Invisalign clear plastic retainers are designed to be very durable, very effective, and will be used for every case under the sun.

Whether your child has a mild case that needs only minor fixing, or a complex case that might take a few years to fix up, using Invisalign along with an Orthodontist’s support will get their teeth where they need to be.

Then they can get back to a normal life with a new smile and a mouth that will always stay inline. As their teeth continue to grow, they will grow into a healthy and completely straight mouth.

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patient testimonials

Every Smile Tells a Story

We love it when our patients smile, and we love it even more when want they want to tell the world! Check out what our patients have to say about their 5-star experience with us.
Kayla C.
I am so grateful to the wonderful people working at Sherman & Balhoff. My journey to a new smile only lasted a little over a year and I am so happy with my smile today! 😊
Kegelle S.
I went for my consultation on Wednesday to the prairieville location. I was very satisfied on the professionalism shown to me by staff. Although I live in Baker, La I work closer to the prairieville location which is why I chose them. I was informed for my future visits I’d can go to other location but I’d rather continue to go to prairieville regardless.
You chose them you won’t be disappointed, I wasn’t.
Looking forward to next visits.
Response from the owner:We appreciate you taking the time to leave us feedback on your experience. We work very hard every day to exceed our patients’ expectations!
A C.
Great experience and amazing team at Sherman & Balhoff ! Exceeded my expectations, always supportive and delivered the results they promised me. Highly recommend. Thank you to the entire team!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're thrilled to hear that our team met your expectations and provided the support you needed. Your recommendation means a lot to us. We look forward to serving you again!
Loren R.
All the staff are cheerful and engaging. The doctor took time to get to know my 7 year old son and explain the treatment needs well. The office is clean and professional with a unique kids area in the waiting room. They treated my wife when she was a child, so I guess that makes us second generation patients. Let’s geaux! 🙌🏻
Response from the owner:Thank you, Loren! We’re thrilled to hear your positive experience with our team and that your son felt comfortable. It's wonderful to serve second-generation patients. We appreciate your support! Let’s geaux! 🙌🏻
Katarina S.
They take their time to explain every step of the process, answers all questions thoroughly, and makes both kids and parents feel completely comfortable. You can tell they truly care about their patients and take pride in their work. The results have been amazing, and we couldn’t be happier with the progress so far.
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! It's rewarding to know that our commitment to thorough explanations and creating a comfortable atmosphere has made a positive impact on your experience. We're thrilled with your amazing results!
Annie B.
We had the most amazing experience! The office staff was super friendly, very helpful and put us at ease immediately. Dr. Sherman was phenomenal. So happy we were referred to this practice. Highly recommend!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback, Annie! It's fantastic to hear that our team made you feel comfortable and that Dr. Sherman exceeded your expectations. We truly appreciate your high recommendation!
c. C.
All of the staff and doctors at Sherman & Balhoff are fantastic. They spend time getting to know their patients and do fantastic orthodontic work! We have been pleased for all of our girls to use them. My husband even had his orthodontic work done here many years ago!
Response from the owner:Thank you for sharing your wonderful experience! We're thrilled to hear that our team has made such a positive impact on your family and that you trust us with your orthodontic needs. Your support means a lot!
Dykeashua M.
From the moment we stepped inside, we were met with smiles and helpful hands. It was our first visit, and they made us feel right at home. Sarah was wonderful when we were dealing with the paperwork and X-Rays. She took her time explaining everything, making sure we understood each step. She kept us informed about what was coming next and was incredibly patient throughout. The whole office was such a great experience!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Dykeashua! We’re thrilled to hear about your positive experience. Sarah’s dedication to explaining each step truly reflects our commitment to providing exceptional service. We look forward to welcoming you back!
aaron
overall just amazing! I loved the interactions and the progress, and the end result was definitely worth the pain. they did really well.
Response from the owner:We appreciate your wonderful feedback, Aaron! It's fantastic to hear that you enjoyed the process and felt the results were worth it. Your success is our priority, and your kind words motivate us!
travyonna
i loved sherman and balhoff for taking care of my teeth and macie did a great job with my exam rays!!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! It's great to know you had a positive experience. We appreciate your support!
Meghann R.
Everyone in the office is friendly and professional. The Doctors are top notch and very personable!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Meghann! We appreciate your kind words about our team's friendliness and professionalism. We're committed to providing personalized care, and it’s great to hear you had a positive experience with our doctors.
Jamecia
Friendly staff, thoroughly explained the process of getting braces. Fast & efficient!
Response from the owner:Thank you for your wonderful feedback! We're delighted to hear that our team provided you with a friendly and efficient experience. Your smile journey is important to us, and we appreciate your trust in our care!
Emily G.
We are always well taken care of at Sherman and Balhoff! Friendly faces all around, and the sweetest Ms. Ashley at the front desk!
Response from the owner:Thank you, Emily! We're thrilled to hear you feel well taken care of at Sherman & Balhoff. Our team, especially Ms. Ashley, is dedicated to providing a friendly and welcoming experience. We appreciate your kind words!
Jennifer T.
Amazing staff and very friendly. Very knowledgeable! Felt very comfortable whole time .
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jennifer! We're thrilled to hear you had a positive experience with our team. Your comfort and satisfaction are our top priorities. We look forward to seeing you again soon!
Jennifer T.
We love all the doctors and staff here. Experienced and friendly staff. They are always accommodating also.
Response from the owner:Thank you, Jennifer! We appreciate your kind words about our experienced and friendly team. It's our pleasure to accommodate your needs and help you achieve your smile goals. Looking forward to seeing you again!

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You don’t need an excuse to smile more, but we would like to give you a few extra reasons! We have four locations for your convenience, and each of them have friendly doctors and teams ready to serve you. We can’t wait to meet you!

Prairieville

Central

Baton Rouge

Addis

Baton Rouge

Baton Rouge

Addis

Addis

Prairieville

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Central

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Locations

  • BATON ROUGE8311 Bluebonnet Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70810
  • ADDIS6715 LA Highway 1 S.Addis, LA 70710
  • PRAIRIEVILLE14154 LA Hwy. 73Prairieville, LA 70769
  • CENTRAL14465 Wax Rd.Central, LA 70818

Phone

  • (225) 769-1276

Office Hours

Monday 7:30am – 4:30pm
Tuesday 7:10am – 4:30pm
Wednesday 7:10am – 4:00pm
Thursday 7:30am – 3:30pm
Friday 8:00am – 12:00pm (Admin Only)
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