If you’re looking into fixing your bite or spacing issues later in life, you may be completely set on Invisalign over other options. It is a more subtle, less painful way to reach your ideal smile. However, Invisalign isn’t the best fit for everyone.
If you’re wanting to know whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign, the best person to ask is your dentist. They can determine the best option for your smile goals and long-term oral health. Before your appointment, however, here are some common characteristics of people who tend to be a good fit for invisible aligners.
You Have Good Dental and Oral Health
While you’re wearing your aligners, you’ll need to be as diligent or more diligent about taking care of your teeth. Under normal circumstances, saliva moves throughout the mouth to get rid of food particles, remineralize your teeth, and prevent the overgrowth of bacteria. While wearing the retainers, saliva is unable to move as freely and protect your teeth.
While the aligners don’t lead to or cause cavities, they can make you more vulnerable to cavities if you aren’t careful about cleaning your teeth and sanitizing your aligners.
You Need Healthy Teeth and Gums for Successful Treatment
If you typically take good care of your teeth, then your roots and the density of your jaws should support a strong bite. If either your roots or jaw begins to degrade, your teeth could loosen which negatively affects treatment outcomes. By moving your teeth, you are very slightly damaging the roots as you displace them. Doing so slowly, through months or years of slight changes, should prevent any permanent or serious damage.
If your roots are already damaged, not only will treatment fail, but you may cause further bone degradation that will lead to life-long issues with your teeth and gums.
You Have Minor to Moderate Bite and Spacing Issues
Invisalign is great for most people. It has proven effective in treating conditions like:
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- Overcrowding
- Spaces between teeth
- Crooked teeth
Even these may be too severe to be effectively treated with Invisalign.
Invisalign Isn’t Suitable for Severe Dental Problems
Unfortunately, some bites need more work than others. Braces are more suitable for:
- Serious malocclusions (bite issues)
- Extreme overcrowding
- Large spaces
- Atypically shaped teeth
- Teeth that are uneven in height
- A bite that isn’t perfectly aligned down the middle
- People with prior dental work like crowns and bridges
If Invisalign Isn’t for You, You Have Other Options
If it turns out that you aren’t the best candidate for invisible aligners, your dentist should be able to guide you toward another option that suits your needs and preferences. For example, you may be more suited for:
- A 6-month smile. These invisible braces only go on your front six teeth. They are difficult to see and take an average of 4 to 8 months to complete.
- Veneers. For people with slight spacing or coloration issues, veneers are an instant, painless option. Your specially-crafted porcelain veneers are cemented on your teeth with resin. Under ideal conditions, they last for many years and do not damage your teeth.
We want to help you find the ideal solution for your smile. During your appointment, we can talk about your preferences for a smile adjustment, budget limitations, and how your alignment issues might affect your eligibility for treatment.
Choose Bright Choice Dental for Invisalign in Havertown
If you’re unsatisfied with your smile, we want to help. At Bright Choice Dental, we believe everyone deserves a smile they feel proud to wear. Allow us to assess your eligibility for Invisalign and other cosmetic treatments. During the process, we will do everything we can to make you feel comfortable and cared for. Call 610-449-1272 or fill out our contact form to schedule your appointment.