What is Invisalign and How Does it Work?

Orthodontists have been using Invisalign as a treatment for misaligned teeth for many years. Invisalign is a safe, effective, and discrete method to straighten teeth without the frustration and pain that comes along with the metal brackets and wires that are associated with traditional metal braces read more.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign functions similarly to metal braces by applying gentle pressure to your teeth to move them into the correct positions, but instead of using brackets and wires, Invisalign treatment uses removable, clear aligners that are custom made by a dentist near you.

In the hands of an experienced orthodontist, Invisalign is a very powerful tool that can give you the smile of your dreams. Speak to an experienced Red Deer dentist to begin your smile transformation journey.

What Can Invisalign Treat?

Orthodontists use Invisalign in Red Deer to treat conditions such as:

●        Gapped teeth

●        Overbite

●        Open bite

●        Overcrowded teeth

●        Crossbite

How Can Invisalign Correct Crowding?

Invisalign is a very effective tool for correcting dental crowding. Crowding occurs when there is not enough room in the jaw for all the teeth to properly grow in, causing the teeth to grow in unnatural positions and leading to overlapping or twisted teeth.

For those who have crowding, a dentist will examine you to determine if Invisalign is the right course of treatment for you. In some cases, you may require additional procedures if the crowding is excessive.

If it is determined that Invisalign can help, the treatment will work by first straightening your teeth and then spreading your teeth apart.

How Can Invisalign Correct an Overbite?

When the bottom teeth are overlapped by the top teeth, this is referred to as an overbite, Overbites can be treated with Invisalign. While having a small overbite is normal, Invisalign can be used to correct an excessive overbite. The orthodontist will design a custom set of aligners to align the teeth in your jaw. They may also provide you with attachments to provide added grip and pressure to adjust the teeth until they are in their correct positions.

In some circumstances, your orthodontist may also need to use elastic bands to provide added support and force to your teeth. This is not always necessary, and your orthodontist will determine if these are needed during your initial consultation.

Can Invisalign Correct Crossbite/Underbite?

Invisalign is often used to correct an underbite, otherwise referred to as a crossbite. A crossbite is when the upper and lower jaws are incorrectly aligned, causing the top and bottom rows of teeth to overlap improperly. If left alone for too long, someone who has a crossbite may eventually require surgery, which is much more complex and expensive than Invisalign treatment.

Invisalign works well to shift teeth into the right positions. Crossbites are very complicated conditions, so it is essential to search for an orthodontist that is highly experienced to perform your Invisalign treatment. 

To correct a crossbite using Invisalign, an orthodontist will use three-dimensional digital scanning to create a comprehensive image of your mouth so that they can develop a detailed and personalized treatment plan. This plan will demonstrate the exact movements that your teeth will need to make with the aligners to help you achieve your perfect smile.

How Does Invisalign Correct Open Bite?

Invisalign works well to correct open bites, and due to the way that the aligners apply force to the teeth, they may be even more effective at correcting this condition than traditional metal braces.

An open bite is when the bottom and top rows of teeth don’t fully connect when the mouth is closed. This can be caused by genetic factors or bad habits such as thumb-sucking as a toddler. With Invisalign, constant and even force is applied to the teeth, gently shifting them into their proper position so that the mouth can properly close.

What Conditions Can Invisalign Not Treat?

There are a couple of dental conditions that cannot be treated with Invisalign, including:

Size and shape of teeth: certain genetic factors, including tooth shape and size, cannot be fixed using any sort of orthodontic treatment. These require cosmetic dentistry treatments to correct, such as dental reshaping or porcelain veneers.

Excessive tooth rotation: if you have very crowded teeth, it may lead to excessive tooth rotation, and if this rotation is more than 20 degrees, Invisalign will not be enough on its own to correct the issue.

Intrusions or extrusions: the design of Invisalign makes it less effective at performing extrusions or intrusions. If you need help with this, traditional metal braces may be the better option.

Interested in Invisalign?

If you have one of the conditions listed in this article, then Invisalign may be the right choice for you. Speak to an experienced orthodontist today to see if you are a viable candidate for Invisalign and start your smile transformation journey!

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Christophe Rude
Christophe Rude
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