Which Orthodontic Issues Can Invisalign® Clear Aligners Correct?

Invisalign® Clear Aligners are almost invisible to the naked eye, and they’re more comfortable to wear than traditional braces. When wearing them, you don’t have to worry about following a certain diet or taking extra steps to brush both your teeth and brackets. 

Because of these advantages, many people want to know if they’re good candidates for Invisalign. Below, we asked Dr. Sabrina E. Mickel, our expert, to explain when Invisalign may be recommended to patients. 

When Invisalign is a good choice for straightening teeth 

Invisalign can help with the following orthodontic issues:

• Crooked teeth 
• Underbite 
• Overbite 
• Crossbite 
• Teeth crowding 

Invisalign can address most orthodontics issues. However, it’s limited due to the fact that it doesn’t have the same force as metal brackets. 

Invisalign benefits 

Aside from providing the obvious aesthetic advantage, Invisalign will make your orthodontic treatment more comfortable. You can take clear aligners off, which makes eating and brushing your teeth straightforward.

Because you can take the aligners off when brushing and flossing, there’s also a reduced chance of developing plaque and cavities during the treatment, as it’s far less complicated to keep your teeth clean without metal brackets and wires on. 

With clear aligners, you’ll experience some discomfort, but since the aligners are made from medical-grade plastic and not metal, the pain experienced as your teeth move is lessened. 

Invisalign limitations

As versatile as it is, Invisalign may not be suitable for fixing the following:

• Large gaps between teeth
• Severe bite problems 
• Rotated teeth 
• Moving teeth up and down 

If you have large gaps between your teeth, Invisalign may not be strong enough to close them. This is usually the case when extractions are needed as part of the treatment. 

Small teeth may also be problematic, as clear aligners wouldn’t have a good grip when applied, making it harder to pull the teeth into the preferred positions. 

Rotated teeth can be moved to a small extent with clear aligners but not more than 20 degrees from their initial position. 

Finally, if your misalignment is severe and you need surgery to fix your jaw issues, clear aligners may not  be your best choice after surgery to straighten your teeth. 

Find out if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign 

If you’re interested in finding out whether you’re a good fit, contact us to schedule an appointment. The good news is that the technology is constantly improving, making Invisalign better at addressing complex cases.