Clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontics and made aesthetic
Clear aligners, such as industry-leading Invisalign aligners, have revolutionized orthodontics and made aesthetic orthodontics easier and more accessible. Clear aligners are becoming more and more popular as a way to straighten the teeth and improve the smile in a subtle, virtually invisible process. For example, Invisalign uses medical-grade thermoplastic material, that has been uniquely developed for the Invisalign System that is custom-made for you to straighten your teeth over time.
As incredible as clear aligners are, they are, unfortunately, not a silver bullet solution for all cases. Do you have crowded teeth, overbite, underbite, crossbite, gap teeth, open bite, or need to straighten your teeth? Let’s have a look at the treatable cases and whether clear aligners are right for you.
Which Cases Can Clear Aligners Treat?
Orthodontic Cases And Aligner Treatment
Here is an overview of treatable cases.
Crowded Teeth – If you have overlapping or twisted teeth (crowded) then trapped food can cause decay and disease. A clear aligner is an option except in extreme cases.
Overbite – If your upper teeth protrude too far ahead of your bottom teeth, making chewing and biting a challenge, then a clear aligner is an option in some cases.
Underbite – If your lower teeth protrude ahead of your upper teeth then there might be an impact on speech and accelerated wear on teeth. A clear aligner can be used to correct mild to medium cases.
Crossbite – If a few of your upper teeth sit inside lower teeth this can lead to chipping, wear and gum issues. Clear aligners can treat most of these cases.
Gaps in Teeth – Gaps trap food which can cause pain and disease. A clear aligner can treat most cases except extreme cases.
Open Bite – If your upper teeth don’t meet up with your lower teeth chewing and biting can be difficult. A clear aligner can correct this.
Aligner Usage For Dental Alignment
Braces can apply far more force than aligners and address highly detailed force applications in complex orthodontic cases. Aligners are not our first choice for our patients in these cases:
Shape Of Teeth – Tooth shapes that are short, round, or pegged can affect eligibility for aligner use. In addition, shapes with severe tips can affect the grip of the aligner, weakening the force applied.
Position Of Teeth – Molars that have rotated over 20 degrees or other twisted teeth will not be good candidates for an aligner. A tooth tilt of more than 45 degrees is not ideally suited for aligners.
Large Gaps – Clear aligners are successful in the treatment of up to 6mm of gaps in total per arch (upper or lower teeth). Larger gaps or cumulative spaces would not be eligible for aligners.
Extrusion Or Intrusion – Braces can force teeth to be raised or lowered in the jawbone to achieve a uniform height. A clear aligner only achieves limited movements of front teeth.
Dental Work Exclusions – Bridges, porcelain veneers, or crowns may restrict eligibility for aligner use as they might not bond to the surface.
Discuss your options with your dentist because accelerating technology is widening clear aligner applications every year! Book a Complimentary Consultation
The Dental Lounge is committed to redesigning your dental experience with the best advice on whether clear aligners are the right choice for you. You can reach us by calling (954) 686-5729 or using our convenient online platform. We look forward to hearing from you soon.
