Key point
There are many factors to consider other than price. Your Invisalign treatment experience and results will be different depending on the doctor you ultimately choose.
How to Choose an Invisalign Provider
Two of the best ways to find a list of providers are via a simple Google search using the search term Invisalign in combination with your location and the Invisalign.com Doctor Search page. You will find providers designated Elite, Premier, or Preferred. Elite Providers have been working with Invsalign for long time, and probably starting treatment on about 2 patients or more per week. Premier Providers start treatment on about 1-2 new patients per week, while Preferred Providers started treatment on at least 10 patients in 2009 (allowed to fewer and be Preferred Provider if recent graduate). Keep in mind that these designations do not necessarily describe the quality or difficulty of the treatment provided in each office, vary by office size, and number of offices.
There are both positive stories, and negative ones regarding this excellent treatment modality. Commonly the positive stories are from those whose received treatment from experienced Invisalign orthodontists. Those with negative accounts have often sought treatment from inexperienced providers who do not understand how to plan tooth movement with aligners.
Keep in mind that both general dentists and orthodontists can provide Invisalign after completing a one-day certification course in which they are taught how to send materials to Align Technology, not how to move teeth. When choosing providers, remember to consider that fixed orthodontic treatment may be required as a part of Invisalign care. Therefore, when all else is equal, it may be prudent to choose the orthodontist over a general dentist.
Align Technology seems to acknowledge that there are deficiencies with its certification process. As such, they introduced a proficiency system in 2009 to require a certain level of annual experience and continuing education, in order to continue treating patients with Invisalign. This spurred an uproar in the dental and orthodontic professions, since most regulations are set by licensing bodies, not by for-profit companies. In early 2010, due to legal pressure, Align removed the case requirement for certification, but kept continuing education criteria.
Align Technology’s goal is to ensure that those using the Invisalign technique are experienced and knowledgeable in doing so, and to minimize the number of unhappy Invisalign patients. Speak to some of the office staff members to see if they are comfortable and work a lot with Invisalign, talk to other Invisalign patients if they are in the office, and ask to see some examples of treatment performed by the orthodontist or dentist. Remember to view Invisalign as a technique, not a product, so while price is a major factor for many patients, it should not be the sole consideration in where you seek treatment.