If you have your heart set on Invisalign treatment to correct problems with the alignment of your teeth, be aware of circumstances that impact whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. While many orthodontic patients can select from Invisalign or conventional braces, there are some who are limited in what’s available to fix misalignment. If you’re determined to wear clear aligners, the following complications could impact whether this treatment is right for you.
1. Rotated Teeth
When a tooth is tilted backward or forward or rotated more than 20 degrees out of alignment, traditional braces are usually necessary to truly shift a tooth’s position. It takes careful maneuvering with precisely placed brackets and wires to move a tooth and its root into formation.
2. Large Gaps
It might sound silly that Invisalign isn’t the right choice for closing gaps between teeth, but success rates depend on how large the space is. Invisalign can close up to six millimeters of space between teeth – if a gap is larger than that, clear aligners may not get the job done completely.
3. Prior Dental Work
Mouths that have restorative dental work like bridges or crowns may interfere with the important work that aligners are intended to do. Your orthodontic exam prior to beginning treatment will help your orthodontist assess whether any restorations will get in the way of straightening and evaluate whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign for adults or Invisalign Teen.
4. Severe Overbite
While Invisalign can treat most overbites effectively, a severe overbite exists because of a skeletal deformity. In such extreme cases, orthognathic surgery may be necessary to address the problem. The good news is that once the issue is corrected, Invisalign is up for discussion once more.
5. Short or Long Teeth
If a tooth is too short, your orthodontist will want to extrude it to pull it a little further out of the bone and tissue that surround it. Intrusion moves teeth back into these areas. Braces can be carefully adjusted for extrusion or intrusion with strategically positioned wires, but Invisalign cannot do the same magic.
6. Misshapen Teeth
Invisalign requires traction to effectively follow your treatment plan and move teeth into alignment. Attachments – small composite dots – are added to the front of several teeth to get the clear aligners to move even more effectively. However, teeth that are too short or misshapen won’t allow the trays to get enough grip to properly move teeth into alignment. In this case, conventional braces are the only solution.
Can Invisalign Work for You?
Invisalign is designed to conform to the natural shape of a patient’s teeth. The snug, customized fit makes it possible for your orthodontist to restructure your entire mouth, bite, and alignment. It’s an incredible innovation in orthodontics and helps millions of people achieve a beautiful smile.
Though you may dream of clear aligners and the benefits of Invisalign technology, your Woodinville orthodontist will make recommendations about treatment that are appropriate for your unique oral health. For many people, only braces can effectively treat the problems they’re experiencing. Schedule an orthodontic evaluation with Dr. Soleil at Soleil Orthodontics to find out whether Invisalign is right for you.