A great smile is one of the first things you may notice about another person. Because of this, any insecurity about the way your teeth look or feel may prevent you from laughing, talking, or smiling around other people. If this sounds familiar, then Invisalign clear aligner system may be the answer.
About Invisalign
Invisalign clear braces are a popular alternative to traditional metal braces that utilizes custom-fit clear dental trays to reposition your teeth and slowly move your smile into proper alignment.
What Makes a Good Invisalign Candidate?
Though this system can correct a wide variety of dental imperfections, it’s better suited for some smiles over others. To determine whether you’re truly an ideal candidate for the Invisalign teeth straightening system, you’ll need to set an appointment with an Invisalign dentist.
To get a better idea before a consultation as to whether this popular orthodontic treatment is right for you, take note of the criteria that make someone a good candidate.
Dental Health
For some patients, metal braces could mean an increased risk of cavities and dental decay. If you are worried about the added dental hygiene steps involved with traditional metal braces, Invisalign may be a great option for you. With this system, you do not have to worry about any special brushes or areas of your teeth hidden behind brackets and wires that could be missed during your brushing regimen.
In general, you do not have to have perfect dental or oral health to receive Invisalign. However, those with significant oral health issues that impact their teeth, gums, jaw, or the soft tissues of the mouth may need alternative treatments before or instead of the Invisalign treatment.
When in doubt, consult the professionals. As part of your consultation, your dentist can perform a thorough examination of your health to determine whether this system is right for you.
Smile Imperfections
Whether you have noticeably crowded teeth or a significant underbite, your smile can likely benefit from this straightening system. Invisalign is great for patients who want to correct these issues:
- Dental crowding.
- Under, over, or crossbites.
- Crooked teeth.
- Gaps between teeth.
- Protrusions and misalignment.
In general, Invisalign is best for people who have mild to moderate smile imperfections. Those with severe alignment, jaw, or bite concerns may be best treated by another treatment option but could benefit from Invisalign after a short period.
Age
Children and teenagers who do not yet have all of their adult teeth still have some dental growing to do. Because of this, Invisalign is designed and intended for teenagers and adults whose jaws have stopped developing and whose teeth are complete on both their top and bottom jawlines.
Age is an important qualifier for Invisalign when it comes to both eligibility and treatment time. Braces are commonly associated with teenagers because they have all their teeth and their teeth are easier to move around than more fully grown adults. It may take a bit longer to complete treatment for adults, but the system is equally as effective.
Commitment and Dedication
The Invisalign system must be worn for at least 22 hours per day, which means the treatment is rendered less effective if the aligners are worn for less time. It can be tricky for some patients to remember to put their aligners back in after eating, and some patients even forget to place them back in after brushing and flossing at night before bed.
The Invisalign system offers some around-the-clock flexibility as to when you can remove them, but they may not be the ideal choice for those who may struggle to keep up with the commitment to wear, which may include:
- Younger teenagers.
- Those with a busy or hectic schedule.
- People who may be prone to forgetfulness.
- Those who frequently lose or misplace things.
However, the Invisalign treatment method does include multiple storage cases to help patients keep track of their aligners, which may enable even the above populations to take advantage of this effective teeth straightening method.
Want To Give Invisalign a Try?
Think you might be a good candidate and feel ready to get started with Invisalign? Contact our practice today to schedule your first consultation!