What is Invisalign, and how does it correct my bite?
Transparent braces have become a massive hit for adults and teens to correct misaligned teeth, gap teeth, and crooked teeth. Invisalign is a popular brand of clear transparent braces. Similar to a mouthguard, Invisalign is used for orthodontic treatment of misaligned teeth. The Invisalign aligner is custom made to fit your teeth and mouth. Invisalign braces are designed not be like braces but a removable system trays that fit the upper and lower teeth. The aligner is interchanged roughly every two weeks over a six to eighteen-month period to correct the misalignment. However, the period of treatment can vary depending on the severity of the misalignment. Once the procedure is complete, the misaligned teeth are corrected.
Lifestyle advantages of Invisalign
Unlike conventional braces, Invisalign is a convenient method to straighten teeth. The ability to take off and wear the aligner makes Invisalign appealing. Invisalign aligners require patients to make minor lifestyle changes to accommodate orthodontic treatment. Patients can continue to enjoy the foods and drinks that would otherwise not advised if wearing traditional braces. Chewing gum and eating sticky foods can get stuck between the braces. Caring for conventional braces requires much more work to keep them free of food debris to prevent issues during treatment. Another factor in choosing Invisalign is its aesthetic appeal. Unlike braces, Invisalign is dramatically visible as compared to metal braces. However, with Invisalign braces, patients can maintain their current lifestyle without making a significant change.
Invisalign may not be the right fit for every patient.
Despite the appeal of Invisalign, not every patient may be the right candidate for treatment. One major drawback of Invisalign is that it does not exert a strong enough force to realign teeth that are severely misaligned. For this reason, patients that require significant movement of teeth may need braces to achieve the desired outcome. Below is a list of why some patients may not be a good fit for Invisalign.
- Very short or round teeth or sharp points may prevent the aligner from forming a firm grip. Loss fitting reduces the effectiveness of the aligner.
- Large gaps between teeth can prevent closing gaps using Invisalign. The range of effective gap closure using Invisalign is around 6 mm.
- Other dental work. If patients have had significant dental work, such as dental implants or dental bridges. Dental bridges can make it impossible for Invisalign treatment.
If you are considering Invisalign treatment, schedule your next appointment with California Dental Group to talk to our dental professional at California Dental Group if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.
