Is Invisalign® the Solution?

Do you have crooked or crowded teeth? Crooked teeth can be harder to clean properly, so plaque can accumulate. This plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Straightening your teeth can improve your oral health by making your smile easier to care for. Invisalign® provides a way for you to straighten your teeth without the brackets and wires of traditional braces. Invisalign is very comfortable and is nearly invisible. Most people will not realize that you are straightening your teeth at all. Because of this, Invisalign will not interfere with your daily life. But is Invisalign the solution for you? Will Invisalign correct your malocclusion problems?

Invisalign can be used to correct a number of alignment and bite issues. The main issues that Invisalign can fix are as follows:

• Gapped teeth: Gaps between the teeth can lead to increased risk of periodontal disease.
• Overbite: The upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. This can lead to gum problems, wear on the lower teeth, and joint problems.
• Underbite: The lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. This can prevent the proper function of the front teeth and molars, which can lead to tooth wear. Underbites can also lead to joint issues.
• Open bite: Some teeth are not able to make contact with the opposing teeth. An open bite can cause poor chewing and speech impairment. This can also lead to TMJ disorders.
• Overly crowded: Overly crowded teeth occurs when there is not room in your jaw for all of the teeth to fit properly. Crowding can lead to plaque accumulation, tooth decay, and an increased risk of gum disease.
• Crossbite: The upper and lower jaws are both misaligned. One or more of the upper teeth will sit on the inside of the lower teeth. This can lead to tooth wear, gum disease, and bone loss.

If you have an alignment issue that is not addressed above, please discuss your options with your dentist to see if Invisalign is the solution for you.