Not every patient is keen on wearing braces, but some believe those are their only options.
In fact, Smith Orthodontics offers an alternative to traditional braces that’s been creating beautiful smiles for decades.
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen have created new smiles in more than 10 million patients. The Invisalign system uses clear aligners that are virtually invisible to move teeth into their proper positions. Smith Orthodontics is a provider for Invisalign and Invisalign Teen in Wichita.
Let’s look at a few types of dental issues that can be repaired with Invisalign treatment. We’ll start with the basics.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Patients begin with a 3D scan of their teeth via the iTero Element 3D advanced orthodontic scanner. No more goopy trays and plaster impressions! This technology provides a far more detailed, accurate image of the teeth that can be viewed from almost any angle.
From there, we’ll outline a treatment plan, and the first clear aligners can be created. Each set of aligners is custom-made for the patient and is designed to move the teeth a certain way toward the final goal of a perfect smile. Patients are given a new set of aligners every few weeks, and they wear the clear aligners at least 22 hours a day.
Many patients start to notice a change in their teeth within a few weeks! Treatment can last as little as six months, but the average time to straighten teeth is about 12-18 months. That’s less time than with traditional braces!
Can Invisalign Treat My Overbite?
An overbite is when the upper teeth protrude over the lower ones. An excessive protrusion is known as a deep bite. Invisalign can treat many overbites and deep bite cases using gentle pressure to push the upper teeth back and align them properly.
Can Invisalign Treat My Underbite?
An underbite is the opposite of an overbite. Instead of the upper teeth protruding over the lower ones, the lower teeth are positioned in front of the upper ones. Invisalign can treat the underbite similarly to the overbite by applying pressure to the lower jaw to put the teeth in their proper positions.
Can Invisalign Treat My Crossbite?
With a crossbite, the teeth don’t align on both sides of the mouth or across the front. Crossbites make it harder to chew, particularly in the back, and eventually lead to jaw pain or other issues. Invisalign aligners can adjust the teeth, so they line up properly, making it easier to chew.
Can Invisalign Treat My Crowded or Gapped Teeth?
For some patients, the problem is simply that their permanent teeth came in crowded or gapped. Crowded teeth often lead to tooth displacement, such as erupting higher in the gums than other teeth, erupting sideways, or erupting in front of or behind teeth. Gapped teeth often have a large gap between the upper or lower front teeth or both. Gaps can also be created from teeth pulled or lost in the past.
Invisalign can treat all of these issues as well. The clear aligners are created to fit the odd positions of the teeth and slowly move them into their proper position.
Can Invisalign Treat More Than One Issue?
Many patients have more than one of these issues at a time, such as an overbite with crowded teeth or a crossbite with an overbite. In many cases, Invisalign can address multiple issues at the same time. The number and severity of the dental issues will determine how much time is needed for treatment. Even with multiple issues, treatment time is usually less than with traditional braces.
Can Invisalign Treat Every Dental Issue?
While Invisalign can treat many dental issues, some cases in which metal braces or other orthodontic treatments are more suitable. Some of the more severe cases, for example, may require more traditional methods of treatment.
How do you determine whether Invisalign is right for you? The best way to get started is to schedule an in-office consultation here on our website. From there, we will reach out about your in-person evaluation.
Dr. Brian Smith at Smith Orthodontics will evaluate your case and determine the orthodontic issues in need of treatment. From there, we will be able to determine whether Invisalign is right for you.
Smith Orthodontics treats patients in the Wichita, KS, area. Stop in and see if Invisalign is the right treatment option for you! We are more than happy to answer your questions about Invisalign or other orthodontic treatment options.