Invisalign treatment is known for its ability to straighten crooked teeth and amend bite problems. The process involves wearing custom-made aligner trays over the teeth and then swapping them with a new set as your dentist directs. Gradually, the trays push the teeth into the desired position to give you the smile of your dreams.
Patients of any age can benefit from this treatment. Dentists often recommend pursuing orthodontic solutions during adolescence because adult teeth have emerged but are not yet fully set in their permanent positions in the jaw. Teenagers can therefore see faster results from teeth-straightening treatment, and many of them prefer the flexibility that comes with using Invisalign over braces and other treatments.
While Invisalign is highly effective, the treatment cannot fix all types of malocclusions in the smile. A dentist will evaluate your dental structure during a consultation appointment to determine the right way to align your smile. But you can learn more about who can benefit from Invisalign when you read on.
Which Dental Alignment Concerns Will Invisalign Fix?
Dentists build Invisalign aligners on a custom basis for each patient, which means they can treat a variety of bite problems and dental alignment issues. The length of Invisalign treatment can vary depending on the severity of the dental concerns. But Invisalign is known to help with the following examples of dental misalignment:
- Crooked teeth
- Overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite
- Small gaps between teeth
- Minor cases of dental crowding
Who Is Not Eligible for Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign proves highly effective in treating many types of orthodontic concerns. However, some bite problems may be too severe for Invisalign to work successfully. In this case, a dentist might refer you to an orthodontist to find other solutions to enhance your smile.
If you have a twisted tooth, for instance, Invisalign cannot rotate it into its desired position. Patients with small teeth might not respond to Invisalign. And more extensive cases of gapped teeth or overcrowding might need alternative dental treatments than Invisalign.
What Does an Ideal Invisalign Candidate Look Like?
A dentist will use x-ray imaging to evaluate the structure of your smile and determine your eligibility for Invisalign treatment. However, the dentist will also want to examine your smile and check that you do not have oral health problems.
Gum disease, tooth decay, and other issues can interfere with the success of your Invisalign treatment. So the dentist must get rid of these problems before proceeding with this cosmetic dental solution.
The success of Invisalign relies on the compliance of the patient. They must wear the aligners at least 22 hours per day, every day, in order for the teeth to move and not shift back to their original, crooked position.
If you skip wearing Invisalign, the teeth may shift out of alignment too much for the aligners to fit. Then you may need to call your dentist to replace the aligners. Avoid delays in your treatment by following your dentist’s instructions regarding Invisalign treatment.