There are many misconceptions about Invisalign, with one being it can only fix slightly crooked teeth and will not work on overcrowded teeth. This is simply not true — Invisalign is far more than just a retainer and can be used in almost all dental situations to straighten teeth. Granted, severely crooked teeth might need traditional metal braces, but this is usually due to severe misalignment of the jaw that Invisalign cannot fix. Otherwise, in general, Invisalign can straighten crooked teeth caused by crowding and give you the perfect smile you’ve always dreamed of.
Crowded teeth may either be mild or severe, but they are usually characterised by poor alignment of the upper and lower teeth. They cause symptoms which include:
In most cases, crowded teeth are inherited. If you have crowded teeth, your might notice that your parents and siblings likely have this dental issue too. Genetics aside, certain habits and conditions especially if developed since young can alter the shape and structure of your jaw, leading to crowded and crooked teeth. They include:
Apart from aesthetic reasons which some may or may not mind, it is important for misaligned teeth to be fixed as they can cause:
To first ensure your suitability for Invisalign, your dentist will take X-rays and 3D images of your face and teeth and make teeth impressions. The X-rays will allow the dentist to locate the exact position of your teeth and their roots, as well as see if there are any teeth hidden in the gums. Your dentist will likely also use the 3D images to study the relationship between your teeth, jaw and head. At Dental Designs, we use an Invisalign iTero scanner that can successfully capture teeth from all angles to help us create aligners.
Most patients with misaligned teeth should be able to qualify for Invisalign, as these are strong, hard plastic that is capable of shifting very crooked teeth. During the entire treatment process, patients wear their custom-made aligners over their teeth for at least 22 hours everyday, and take them out during meals or when brushing and flossing.
About every two weeks or so, patients switch to a new set of aligners to keep moving their teeth in the right direction. Each set of aligners might look slightly different, as they place gentle pressure on teeth to force them into moving into their correct positions. Treatment times vary depending on each patient’s condition, but the average time is about 12 to 18 months.
Some of the main benefits existing patients enjoy and future patients can look forward to are:
Patients can expect straighter teeth without any obvious metals or wires showing when they smile. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign aligners can hardly be seen. This allows patients to still look good even during the treatment.
The clear aligners must be taken out during meals and when you brush and floss your teeth. This ensures no food particles will get stuck in the aligners and your teeth remain clean.
Each aligner is uniquely designed based on your condition. They fit securely thanks to the accurate 3D impressions taken, and are the most comfortable form of straightening treatment for overcrowded teeth.
As mentioned, the Invisalign aligners must be removed during meals and cleaning, but you can take them off anytime you need to, such as during an outdoor game. As long as the aligners are on for at least 22 hours daily, they can be removed anytime to accommodate your lifestyle.
