Not all of us are lucky enough to develop a perfectly straight smile. The good news is that if you have misalignment issues, a mouthful of metal brackets and wires aren’t your only option. Invisalign can be used to slowly shift your teeth into their rightful locations. However, you may be wondering if they can address different types of bite issues. Continue reading to find out.
Which Orthodontic Issues Can Be Addressed with Invisalign?
Here are some common alignment issues that clear aligners can address.
- Crooked Teeth: If your teeth are crooked, Invisalign can shift them to be in straighter, more aligned positions.
- Overbite: An overbite is when the upper teeth close too far in front of the bottom teeth. In many cases, Invisalign can move the teeth so that the top and bottom teeth align properly when the mouth is closed.
- Underbite: An underbite is when the bottom teeth are located in front of the upper teeth. Invisalign can often be used to move the lower teeth back so that they naturally sit behind the teeth.
- Crossbite: A crossbite is when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This can cause the teeth to chip and wear down. Invisalign can often shift the incorrectly positioned teeth into the right place, resolving the crossbite.
- Open Bite: An open bite is when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet. Invisalign can move the upper and lower teeth into position so that they close correctly.
- Crowded Teeth: When there isn’t enough space in the mouth, teeth can overlap and twist. This is called crowding. Invisalign can correct some cases of crowded teeth depending on the severity of the problem.
What Issues Can’t Invisalign Change?
While Invisalign is highly effective at correcting numerous misalignment issues, it does have some limitations. Here are some issues that can interfere with the ability of Invisalign.
- Undersized Teeth: If your teeth are short, round, or pegged, the aligners mya not be able to get a good grip on the teeth, warranting another orthodontic option.
- Rotated Teeth: When teeth need to be rotated over 20 degrees to get into proper position, Invisalign isn’t able to effectively correct the misalignment.
- Large Gaps: If gaps between the teeth are more than 6mm wide, another orthodontic treatment may be necessary.
If you have bite issues, Invisalign may be the solution to straighten your smile. By scheduling a consultation with your dentist, you can find out if Invisalign is right for you.
About the Practice
Dr. Britta Lundgren earned her dental doctorate from Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. Currently, she is a proud member of numerous professional organizations, including the American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentistry, and American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry. To learn more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment at her office in Wilmington, visit her website or call (910) 828-7222.