Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment procedure that uses clear, customized plastic trays to align your teeth. This makes your smile more aesthetically pleasing and can significantly boost your self-esteem. Realigning your teeth using Invisalign creates a natural appearance since the aligners are invisible.
Unfortunately, each person’s dental needs differ, and not every set of crooked teeth can be corrected using Invisalign. When you consult your dentist seeking a solution for crooked teeth, they will examine different factors of your oral health to determine your eligibility for Invisalign. This allows the dentist to create a customized plan to move your teeth in the right direction.
If you are ineligible for Invisalign, your dentist can recommend other alternatives, like braces. Consulting an experienced dentist helps ensure you are best suited for the procedure and achieve the desired outcome.
Common indicators that you are a good candidate for Invisalign include:
You have Different Orthodontic Problems
The most obvious reason to consider Invisalign is to correct an orthodontic condition. Invisalign may be a good option for you when you have the following orthodontic problems:
Misaligned Teeth
Having misaligned teeth can distort your smile and make chewing your food difficult. Teeth misalignment could result from genetic issues that arise in childhood or when your jaw is too small compared to the size of your teeth.
Invisalign puts pressure on teeth that have erupted outside the jaw and returns them to their proper position. Depending on the extent of the misalignment, treatment for misaligned teeth will take six to twelve months.
Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth can change your smile significantly. Teeth crowding will have a significant impact on your lifestyle. This is because they could lower your confidence and limit your active interactions with other people. Your crowded teeth can be corrected with six to twelve months of wearing Invisalign.
Crossbite and Open Bite
A crossbite is a dental condition in which teeth from the lower and upper jaws do not meet as expected. This could wear down tooth enamel and cause painful teeth and gums. Invisalign can help pull teeth in the right order for effective biting and chewing.
Underbite and Overbite
An overbite is a dental problem with upper teeth overlapping lower front teeth. A big overlap in your bit can cause severe complications. Conversely, an underbite is when the lower teeth bite further ahead than the upper teeth. Underbite and overbite can cause some pain when chewing or eating.
With such conditions, Invisalign may be an excellent option to restore teeth and avoid further complications.
Good Oral Health
One of the first signs that you are a good candidate for Invisalign is having good oral or dental health. Invisalign aligners are plastic rays applied to the teeth for alignment. These aligners are meant to pull or push your teeth in the desired direction to achieve a well-aligned smile.
Invisalign aligners require a healthy foundation to work effectively and achieve the desired outcome. Therefore, you must have healthy teeth and gums before undergoing the procedure. If you have existing dental issues like tooth decay, gum disease, and cavities, you must address them before you are eligible for Invisalign.
For example, if you have cavities in your teeth, you should have them filled. Dental fillings can change the size and shape of your tooth. Since Invisalign aligners are custom-made, they should fit on the tooth after filling.
Invisalign is used to align your teeth. However, you can still develop cavities during the treatment. While this could be frustrating, you can deal with the cavities when they arise to avoid complications with your Invisalign.
Good Oral Hygiene
Maintaining good oral hygiene is essential during orthodontic treatment procedures like Invisalign. Invisalign aligners are removable and must be cleaned thoroughly after meals. You will be a good candidate for the procedure if you are diligent about your oral hygiene. Good oral hygiene has the following characteristics:
Regular Brushing
Effective tooth brushing involves using a soft-bristled toothbrush to have your teeth cleaned by a dentist after meals. You should brush your teeth before you wear the clear aligners. You should also brush your tongue to avoid the accumulation of bacteria that could transfer to the teeth and gums.
If you eat out and you do not have a toothbrush, you can rinse your mouth before wearing your aligners.
Floss regularly
Invisalign aligners may be a good option if you regularly floss your teeth. Flossing your teeth involves moving a floss string between your teeth to remove leftover food particles.
Mouthwash
Another element of good oral hygiene that could help you get Invisalign is mouthwash. Antimicrobial mouthwash lowers bacterial activity, keeping your teeth and gums healthy.
You Desire a Discrete Treatment
Invisalign a clear plastic retainer custom-made to fit your teeth and move them in the right direction. Orthodontic patients, especially adults, do not want to stand out. For this reason, patients with Invisalign can have a natural smile without it being obvious that they have undergone orthodontic treatment.
In addition to being invisible, Invisalign trays are comfortable to wear daily. Braces are tightened with wires and can feel bulky on the teeth, creating soreness and discomfort. Invisalign aligners can be removed when eating, which makes them more comfortable. You will be a good candidate for Invisalign if you are interested in a discrete, natural, and comfortable smile.
You are a Previous Wearer of Braces
If you have had braces in the past and your teeth shift again, your orthodontist may recommend Invisalign. After removing the braces, your orthodontist may require you to wear retainers. However, some individuals stop wearing them, which can cause the teeth to shift back and distort your smile.
If you have worn braces, the dentist is less likely to recommend the same procedure. Instead, your teeth may be fitted with Invisalign, which is more effective.
You can Afford The Procedure
Invisalign is more costly than braces and other orthodontic procedures to correct crooked and misaligned teeth. You may expect to spend between $4500 and $9000 for clear aligners. The exact cost of your procedure will vary depending on the extent of your tooth alignment issues.
Your dental insurance could cover some of the treatments, like other orthodontic procedures.
You Have all Adult Teeth
Most orthodontists will not perform permanent orthodontic procedures unless you have all your adult teeth. This is because they cannot predict how the teeth will come in. If your permanent set is incomplete, you could have misaligned teeth when the rest appear.
Sometimes, the orthodontist can recommend additional procedures before fitting the Invisalign for individuals with few remaining teeth to make the permanent set.
You are of The Right Age
In addition to having all your permanent teeth, you must be old enough to undergo the Invisalign procedure. There is no age limit on when you can have your Invisalign aligners. However, orthodontists are reluctant to recommend the procedure for teenagers.
Invisalign trays are delicate and must be properly cared for to achieve the desired results. Therefore, the candidate must be able to properly dedicate themselves to caring for these orthodontics.
Additionally, fitting Invisalign requires the orthodontist to predict the jawbone's outcome and growth. Therefore, growth will affect Invisalign for teenagers. Unlike braces, which can be adjusted, Invisalign is custom-made, which means that if they no longer serve their purpose, the orthodontist must make another set for the patients.
Orthodontists recommend braces instead of Invisalign for teenagers. Braces are devices used to correct teeth misalignment in adults and children. They are tightened to the teeth using thin wires and are not removable. This makes the aftercare for braces easier than Invisalign and makes them recommended for teenagers.
You are Responsible
The effectiveness of the Invisalign procedure will significantly depend on how well you follow the aftercare tips. Therefore, you will be a good candidate for Invisalign if you are responsible and capable of caring for your oral health throughout the procedure. Common care procedures for your aligners include:
Wear your Aligners Regularly
If you want to achieve a beautiful smile in the shortest time possible, wear your aligners regularly. Your orthodontist will direct you on when you can remove them, and you must follow the advice. This helps ensure that your teeth remain on track.
Keep Your Invisalign Trays Clean
Invisalign trays are clear, so stains and discoloration will be easily visible. You must be dedicated to keeping your aligners clean to avoid bad breath and other complications that can impact the procedure's outcome.
Avoid High Heat
Invisalign trays are made of plastic. The structure of these aligners could be distorted when you expose them to high temperatures. High heat can melt the aligners and throw off the alignment of your teeth. Therefore, you must keep the aligners away from open flames.
Avoid Eating with Aligners On
You can take off the Invisalign when eating to avoid damaging or staining them. Before putting your Invisalign back on, rinse your mouth to avoid trapping leftover food particles.
Soak your Aligners
When not wearing them, you must soak your aligners in lukewarm water. This helps reduce the odor and is hygienic. After soaking the Invisalign aligners, brush them with a soft-bristled toothbrush before putting them back into the mouth.
Schedule Regular Dental Appointments
You must use proper oral health practices when your Invisalign procedure is complete. Additionally, you must schedule regular appointments with your dentist. During these appointments, the progress of the procedure was monitored. Additionally, you can undergo professional teeth cleaning to prevent complications that could affect the outcome.
You are not a Smoker
Invisalign trays are removable. However, they must stay in your mouth for most of the day to achieve the desired results. For this reason, you should not smoke while undergoing this procedure. If you are a smoker, you may need to remove your Invisalign, which can impact their effectiveness. Smoking with Invisalign on can cause a variety of issues, including:
Staining
Many patients prefer Invisalign aligners due to their clear appearance and ability to produce a natural smile. However, smoking can stain the aligners and change their color, which could mess with their aesthetics.
Damage to the Aligners
Keeping your aligners in pristine condition is essential for the procedure's effectiveness. Unfortunately, vaping and smoking can damage the aligners. The tobacco can wrap around the plastic aligners, making them less effective. Additionally, tobacco can cause a variety of oral health issues.
Bad Breath
No one wants to deal with bad breath when wearing Invisalign trays or undergoing other orthodontic procedures. Nicotine from cigarettes or vaping can cause a dry mouth and the accumulation of bacteria, which contributes to bad breath. You may need to keep removing your Invisalign trays to clean them and prevent bad breath, which can affect the procedure's effectiveness.
If you are a smoker, your dentist can recommend that you quit the behavior while undergoing Invisalign treatment or explore other options like braces.
Find Expert Dental Services Near Me
Everyone wants a bright and beautiful smile, which is difficult to achieve with crooked teeth. Fortunately, if your teeth are misaligned or crooked due to genetic disorders or oral disease, you can have them straightened. Teeth-straightening solutions have expanded over the past several years to accommodate options like Invisalign.
For many patients, Invisalign is preferred over metal braces. This is because Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic, which does not irritate teeth and gums. Another reason Invisalign is popular is that the aligners are invisible, making your smile look natural.
However, Invisalign is not an option for all individuals with crooked teeth. You must have permanent teeth and be able to wear the aligners all the time to achieve the desired results. Ensuring that you are a good candidate for Invisalign is critical to ensuring a successful procedure. At Lasting Impressions Dental Spa, we offer safe and successful orthodontic services for our clients in Encino, CA. Contact us at 818-751-5100 to discuss your options.
