Invisalign aligners are a popular option for straightening your teeth because they are practically invisible and removable, which means no food restrictions. Plus your teeth are easier to clean during treatment than with permanent braces.
Invisalign technology has come a long way since it first became available, however, it is not always the best choice for every orthodontic patient or for all teeth alignment issues.
What teeth alignment issues can Invisalign treat?
Crowded Teeth
If you have a small mouth and your teeth are crowded together, it can make getting in between your teeth to clean more difficult making you more susceptible to cavities and gum disease.
Overbite
If your dentist has told you that you have an overbite, what that means is that when you bite down, your upper teeth are in front of your bottom teeth. This can make it difficult to eat.
Underbite
With an underbite, on the other hand, your bottom teeth are in front of your upper teeth when you bite down. This can affect your speech.
Crossbite
When you have a crossbite, this means that some of your upper teeth come down inside your bottom teeth. This causes gum problems and may lead to chipped teeth.
Gaps in Teeth
Other teeth alignment issues include gaps in teeth. Spacing issues between your teeth, as long as they are not too extreme, can also be fixed by Invisalign treatment. When you have gaps between your teeth, it is not just an aesthetic problem. You probably experience some pain while eating and you are at greater risk for gum disease.
Open Bite
An open bite is when your upper and lower teeth don’t meet when you close your mouth.
When is Invisalign Not the Right Choice?
Depending on the type of teeth alignment issue, the severity of it and whether there are other dental health issues, Invisalign might not be the right choice for you.
How your teeth are shaped can also influence the decision on how best to treat your case. If your teeth are too short and round or have sharp edges, they might not fit well inside the aligners.
If some of your teeth have rotated because of crowded conditions in your mouth, this is another situation where Invisalign not be as effective as braces in getting the teeth to move into the proper position.
Braces which exert more pressure than Invisalign aligners are also more effective in treating larger gaps between teeth and intrusions and extrusions. Invisalign is best used on gaps 6mm or smaller. How about when your front teeth don’t line up to the middle of your face? This is called a midline discrepancy and while Invisalign can correct a small movement of up to 2mm either to the left or right, it can’t handle the need to move them longer distances.
If you have veneers or crowns or a dental bridge, or your in the process of getting dental work for cavities or gum disease, then Invisalign aligners might not fit properly. It is always better to get all dental work done first and then see if you are fit for the aligners.
When you go for your initial orthodontic evaluation, your Sioux Falls orthodontist will examine you and take x-rays to see exactly what is going on in your mouth and then will discuss with you what the best options for you will be.
If Invisalign is found to be an effective teeth-straightening solution for you, your orthodontist will use Invisalign 3D technology to create a step by step plan for your treatment. Typically you will get a new set of aligners to wear every couple of weeks and you have them wear them 20 to 22 hours a day for the treatment to work.
Ultimately though, whether you choose traditional metal braces or Invisalign doesn’t matter as much as the fact that you are taking proper care of your oral health. When your teeth are crooked teeth, it very hard to get all the plaque and food stuck between your teeth. Plaque when it builds up can lead to gum disease which will lead to lost teeth at an early age. Remember that we only get one set of adult teeth, so take care of any dental issues you have now.
Your oral health is also linked to your overall health as well. Research has proven that tooth decay and gum disease are intricately linked with other diseases like heart disease.
Here at VanLaecken Orthodontics, we are Diamond+ providers of Invisalign and are dedicated to help you get the beautiful and confident smile you have always wanted. We offer Invisalign in Sioux Falls and top orthodontists.
Source: “What Teeth Alignment Issues Can Invisalign Treat?,” Dr. Charles Gemmi, Orthodontics Limited