Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

Discussions about treatment with invisible braces that use clear aligners, such as Invisalign, OrthoClear, the Red White and Blue system, etc.

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turbocycle
Posts: 18
Joined: Sun Jan 22, 2012 2:08 am

Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

#1 Post by turbocycle »

Are there any differences in treatment outcomes between "regular" invisalign, and "Invisalign Assist"?

My dentist is using the "Assist" product on me. Should I view this as a good, bad, or indifferent?

If I understand correctly, this version is for less-complex cases and provides more "hand-holding" for dentists who may be new to the Invisalign system.

DrJasonKTam
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Location: Toronto and Markham
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Re: Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

#2 Post by DrJasonKTam »

What it means is that your dentist is likely still requiring some guidance with treating patients with Invisalign. You should not pay anything different, but your doctor does pay more to Align for this service. Most doctors who are experienced with Invisalign will not use Assist.

You will require impressions taken mid-treatment to be sent into Align to make sure things are on track. However, it does not guarantee that your treatment will stay on track as impressions for progress are only sent in every 10 trays or so. It also does not mean your doctor can rely on techs to do the ClinCheck, and without a properly planned treatment, do not expect the teeth to end up like the video. Good luck!
Dr. Jason Tam
Toronto Invisalign, Scarborough braces, and Markham Orthodontist
Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider
Thrice Published in the Invisalign Case Gallery

http://www.mcosmiles.com

Learn all about Toronto Invisalign at http://www.torontobraces.ca.

Before and After Invisalign Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTVxoTQqR8
Before and After Invisalign Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywcwlyL-sg8

xtina81
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Re: Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

#3 Post by xtina81 »

I'm on Invisalign Assist... the benefit I've seen is that after tray 10, they were able to see that couple of my teeth were not tracking correctly, and at that point, updated my plan instead of waiting for refinements to correct these two teeth.
For that reason, I see it as a plus!
Finally, after 31 years...
20/27U 20/27L - 9 attachments on 7 teeth

http://www.xtina81.blogspot.com

DrJasonKTam
Posts: 847
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:50 pm
Location: Toronto and Markham
Contact:

Re: Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

#4 Post by DrJasonKTam »

xtina81 wrote:I'm on Invisalign Assist... the benefit I've seen is that after tray 10, they were able to see that couple of my teeth were not tracking correctly, and at that point, updated my plan instead of waiting for refinements to correct these two teeth.
For that reason, I see it as a plus!
That is one way to look at it. The other way to look at it is that an experienced doctor may not have needed to update your plan after 10 trays if the ClinCheck program had been done differently. They may also have been able to see that the teeth were not tracking properly without Assist.

I think if you're seeing a doctor newer to Invisalign, you are better off with Assist than regular, but wouldn't necessarily say that either is better than seeing someone who has used Invisalign a lot.
Dr. Jason Tam
Toronto Invisalign, Scarborough braces, and Markham Orthodontist
Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider
Thrice Published in the Invisalign Case Gallery

http://www.mcosmiles.com

Learn all about Toronto Invisalign at http://www.torontobraces.ca.

Before and After Invisalign Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTVxoTQqR8
Before and After Invisalign Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywcwlyL-sg8

xtina81
Posts: 20
Joined: Wed Aug 15, 2012 9:37 am
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Re: Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

#5 Post by xtina81 »

I'm guessing you wouldn't, Dr. Tam, but it seems from reading these boards, that most providers, experienced or not, would wait until the refinement stage to fix the issue rather than going back and correcting things unless it was a severe issue that the aligners completely weren't fitting anymore.

I know there are good and bad providers out there, but I must say that I have been very pleased with the way that my case has been handled and the progressions that have been made with Invisalign Assist and my dentist doing the work. I know you have a lot of experience with all of this and it seems like you actually care about your patients. (And care about Invisalign itself or you wouldn't be so helpful on these boards) But it seems like most of the providers are more about getting you in and out and making money then they are about the patient as a person and what their wants and needs are.

I am in no way trying to disrespect you, Dr. Tam, and I hope you don't see it that way. I very much respect your opinions, I just don't necessarily agree or disagree with you on this subject. I know what my experience has been for situation that you probably don't see as ideal with the dentist/Invisalign Assist.
Finally, after 31 years...
20/27U 20/27L - 9 attachments on 7 teeth

http://www.xtina81.blogspot.com

DrJasonKTam
Posts: 847
Joined: Mon Apr 27, 2009 8:50 pm
Location: Toronto and Markham
Contact:

Re: Invisalign Assist vs regular Invisalign

#6 Post by DrJasonKTam »

No disrespect perceived whatsoever and very happy that your treatment is progressing to your liking. Please keep us updated :).
Dr. Jason Tam
Toronto Invisalign, Scarborough braces, and Markham Orthodontist
Diamond Plus Invisalign Provider
Thrice Published in the Invisalign Case Gallery

http://www.mcosmiles.com

Learn all about Toronto Invisalign at http://www.torontobraces.ca.

Before and After Invisalign Video 1 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cNTVxoTQqR8
Before and After Invisalign Video 2 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ywcwlyL-sg8

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