Invisalign is a popular treatment for managing teeth alignment issues. It has many benefits over traditional braces, but not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign treatment. If you are considering Invisalign, it’s important to understand who makes a good candidate and who doesn’t.
This blog post will discuss the characteristics of good Invisalign candidates. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list. Always consult with your dentist before making any decisions about your dental care.
What Is an Invisalign?
Invisalign is a clear alternative to metal braces. It uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners that gradually moves your teeth into the desired position. It is an ideal treatment option for teens and adults looking for a discreet way to achieve straighter teeth.
Invisalign can be used to address a wide variety of orthodontic issues, including crowding, gapping, and crooked teeth. The aligners are made of smooth, comfortable, BPA-free plastic that won’t irritate your gums or cause mouth abrasions as traditional metal braces can.
Treatment with Invisalign typically takes 6-18 months, but this will vary depending on the case. If you’re interested in Invisalign, the first step is to schedule a consultation with an orthodontist to see if you’re a good candidate for treatment.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Regardless of the reason, anyone who is unhappy with their smile may be a candidate for Invisalign. However, certain criteria must be met to be a candidate for Invisalign. These include:
- Age:
Invisalign is most suitable for teens and adults, as their teeth and jaws have already developed. - Alignment Issues:
Invisalign can address mild to moderate alignment issues such as overcrowding, gaps between teeth, overbite, underbite or crossbite. Those with very crowded teeth or very large gaps between their teeth may not be good candidates for Invisalign. - Commitment:
Patients must wear their aligner trays for 22 hours per day and switch to the next set of aligners as directed by their doctor. - Overall Health:
To properly adjust teeth, your gums, bone, and teeth must be healthy. - Goals:
Invisalign is not suitable for everyone, so you must discuss your goals with your doctor.
Ultimately, the proper way to find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign is to consult an experienced dental implant provider. During this time, they will assess your case and help you make an informed decision about whether or not to move forward with treatment.
Can Invisalign Be Used by Patients of All Ages?
Invisalign is not recommended for children or teens whose teeth are still growing and changing. The aligners can interfere with the eruption of new teeth and the proper development of the jaws.
Invisalign is ideal for those who have lost all their baby teeth and have a full set of permanent teeth. Additionally, teens with permanent molars should also be ideal candidates for Invisalign.
How Effective Is Invisalign?
If you’re considering Invisalign to straighten your teeth, you may be wondering how effective the treatment is. The answer may surprise you.
Invisalign is just as effective as traditional braces and is a viable alternative in addressing mild to moderate cases of malocclusion. Furthermore, Invisalign aligners can predictably adjust the level, tilt, and rotation of teeth.
What Are the Limitations of Invisalign?
Like any treatment, Invisalign has its limitations. While it is an effective way to straighten teeth, there are some cases where it may not be the best option.
Here are five limitations of Invisalign:
- Invisalign is not suitable for severe misalignments. It is designed to address mild to moderate cases of crowding, spacing, and rotation. Other orthodontic treatments, such as metal braces, are more effective for severe misalignments.
- Invisalign aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours each day to be effective. This means that patients need to be patient and committed to the treatment plan, which can be a challenge for adult patients and teenagers who live active lifestyles.
- Because they are removable, Invisalign aligners can be misplaced or lost. This can lengthen treatment time or even cause treatment to fail if the aligners are not replaced promptly.
- Invisalign treatment can be more expensive than conventional braces since each set of aligners must be custom-made to fit the patient’s mouth. However, the overall cost will depend on the individual case.
Understanding the limitations of Invisalign treatment is crucial before starting treatment. If you have concerns, speak to your orthodontist about whether Invisalign is right for you.
Final Thoughts
Invisalign is a viable orthodontic treatment option for those who don’t want to wear traditional braces and are looking for an effective way to achieve straight teeth. However, it is important to understand the limitations of this treatment and follow the recommended instructions closely to achieve the desired results.
Joondanna Family Dental can help determine if Invisalign is right for you. We can provide the information necessary to make an informed decision about your oral health care. Please book an appointment through our website or call us today! We would love to help you achieve the beautiful smile you deserve.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many advantages of Invisalign, which is why it is such a popular choice for patients seeking a beautiful, healthy smile. Some of the advantages of Invisalign include the following:
- Invisalign is virtually invisible, so most people won’t even know you’re wearing them unless you tell them.
- Invisalign aligners are removable, so you can take them out to eat, brush your teeth, and floss as usual.
- Invisalign allows you to see your virtual treatment plan before you start to see how your smile will look at the end of treatment.
- Invisalign aligners are made from a comfortable, smooth plastic that won’t irritate your gums or cause mouth sores as metal brackets can.
- Because Invisalign aligners are custom-made for your teeth, they fit snugly and work well to move your teeth into the proper position.
There are several disadvantages to using Invisalign aligners, including:
- They can be more expensive than traditional braces.
- They can be uncomfortable to wear, especially if they don’t fit properly.
- They can cause oral health problems if not used properly.
- They are not suitable for all cases of malocclusion. Complex cases such as severe crowding or spacing, overbites, and underbites are often best treated with traditional braces.
- They require compliance and discipline on the part of the patient to be effective.
Invisalign aligners are worn 20-22 hours daily for two weeks before they can be replaced with the next in the series of aligners. The aligners should only be removed when drinking, eating, brushing, or flossing your teeth.
The length of treatment with Invisalign will depend on the severity of your case and your goals. On average, most cases take between 12 to 18 months to complete. However, it is important to note that everyone’s teeth move at different rates, so some may require longer or shorter treatment times.
You may also be asked to wear retainers after your braces are removed to help stabilize your teeth and prevent them from shifting back into their original positions.
Your dentist or orthodontist can provide a more precise treatment timeline for your specific dental issue.
Yes! You can eat with Invisalign, but it is important to remove the aligners first and avoid eating anything that may cause damage.
Hard or sticky foods and extremely hot foods and drinks should be avoided as they can warp the shape of your aligners. It is also important to brush your teeth after every meal before putting your aligners back in.
