What’s the Difference Between Invisalign Full and Invisalign Go?
We all deserve to feel happy, confident, and content in our own skin, yet for many of us, this is easier said than done. Everybody has what they perceive as flaws and imperfections, but the good news is that these can often be worked on and improved upon.
If you feel that your teeth are affecting your self-confidence and are making you feel self-conscious about your smile and your appearance, you might wish to consider Invisalign.
Invisalign is a popular dental procedure for straightening the teeth and improving their overall aesthetics, and it has proved to be so popular that there is now a newer, more convenient option known as Invisalign Go.
But what’s the difference between Invisalign Go and Invisalign Full, and which, if any, is best suited for you and your dental needs? Well, let’s find out, shall we? Below, we’ll be comparing the two to help you decide which would suit you best.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a dental treatment created by a Stanford University student in 1997, by the name of Zia Chishti. Zia wore adult braces to straighten his teeth for a number of months. When he eventually had them removed, he was given a clear plastic retainer to wear at night in order to keep his teeth aligned. This gave him an idea.
Zia wondered why people couldn’t wear clear plastic retainers for the teeth straightening plan, rather than adult braces, which were a lot more invasive, were fixed permanently, and were much more obvious to see. Zia, with the help of fellow students, came up with the concept of a clear plastic retainer and the Invisalign brand was born.
Invisalign is basically a dental treatment designed to straighten the teeth with the use of a removable transparent plastic retainer.
The Invisalign treatment plan is long-lasting and provides very noticeable results over the course of several months, or even years. Because Invisalign retainers are custom made to suit your teeth, they can correct very dramatic misalignments, with the added bonus of being removable, and also hard to spot because of their transparency.
What is Invisalign Go?
In terms of the difference between Invisalign Full and Invisalign Go, the main differences between the two is the length of the treatment plans.
Invisalign Full is designed for long-term use to correct very dramatic and very noticeable misalignments in the teeth and jaw. Invisalign Go is a much shorter treatment option and is therefore best suited for minor imperfections and smaller misalignments.
With Invisalign Go, fewer aligners will be utilized, which means that the treatment program is much shorter, and can be as short as 4 months. With a max of just 20 aligners, Invisalign Go is not suitable for more complex misalignment cases.
What are the differences between Invisalign Full and Invisalign Go?
As we now know, the main differences between Invisalign Full and Invisalign Go is the length of treatment.
Invisalign Go is designed to be used for a much shorter duration of time when compared with Invisalign Full. On average, it will utilize just 20 retainers. Just to compare the key differences, the full Invisalign treatment will utilize a considerable amount more than that.
An Invisalign Full treatment will last between 12 and 18 months on average, and will utilize around 30 trays over this period of time. For more complex cases however, the treatment plan may call for as many as 50 trays.
Invisalign Go pros
If you decide that Invisalign Go may be your best bet, here are some of the main advantages:
- More affordable than Invisalign Full
- Takes less time
- Less invasive
- Faster results
Invisalign Go cons
With the good, you must also take the bad, so here are some downsides to Invisalign Go:
- Not suitable for extreme cases of tooth misalignment
- Treatment plan not as comprehensive as Invisalign Full
Invisalign Full pros
We’ve looked at the pros and cons of Invisalign Go, now let’s look at the pros and cons of the full Invisalign treatment plan. A few key benefits include:
- Suitable for complex cases of tooth misalignment
- Fully customisable
- Flexible payment plans are in place
- Discreet and removable
Invisalign Full cons
Some of the disadvantages associated with Invisalign Full include:
- Treatments can take upwards of 18 months to complete
- Can be more expensive than Invisalign Go
How much does Invisalign Full and Invisalign Go cost?
Of course, prices may vary when looking at the different Invisalign treatment options, but generally speaking, you should expect to pay around $1800 - $2500 for a basic Invisalign Go treatment, with costs rising to between $6000 and $9000 for a full 18+ month Invisalign Full treatment plan.
Should I choose Invisalign Full or Invisalign Go?
In truth, we can’t give you an answer to this question because that is down to you.
If for example, your teeth are only very slightly misaligned and you’re on a budget, Invisalign Go may be the better option.
If, however, you have a very complex case, and your teeth are drastically misaligned Invisalign Full should be your primary choice.
Final thoughts
So, we’ve looked at the difference between Invisalign full and Invisalign Go, and hopefully based upon what you’ve read today, you have a better idea of which treatment plan, if any, would be best suited for you.
Remember, you should always consult your dentist first before committing to any new dental treatment plan as they can advise you on which would be your best option and can talk you through your choices.