Invisalign has become a popular option for individuals looking to enhance their smiles without the discomfort or obvious appearance of traditional braces. In fact, nearly 14 million people worldwide have used Invisalign to straighten misaligned teeth!
Can everyone use Invisalign? The answer, like most oral health treatments, is it depends. There are a variety of reasons why you may benefit from traditional braces over Invisalign. Knowing who is Invisalign not suitable for can help you learn what to expect when you visit your orthodontist for a consultation.
We’ll look at some of the most common questions many patients have about Invisalign vs. traditional braces, including:
- What’s Invisalign?
- Can everyone use Invisalign?
- When is Invisalign not an option?
- How do I know if Invisalign will work for me?
Let’s learn more about Invisalign, as well as who isn’t a good Invisalign candidate.
What Is Invisalign?
Before we can answer, “Can everyone get Invisalign?” it’s important to understand what Invisalign treatment entails.
Invisalign is a treatment option for misaligned (or “crooked”) teeth, which uses a series of clear aligners to move them into the desired position gradually. Unlike traditional braces, with metal brackets and wires affixed to your teeth, Invisalign uses custom-made plastic trays that fit seamlessly over your teeth.
These aligners are comfortable and easy to clean, making them an excellent choice for people who don’t want the hassle of traditional metal braces. Plus, Invisalign treatments are often much faster than other types of orthodontic treatments.
Although the success rate of Invisalign is high, can anyone use Invisalign braces? It’s a great choice for all ages – children and older adults – but as you’ll see, sometimes Invisalign is not the best course of action.
When Is Invisalign Not an Option?
Although Invisalign treats many orthodontic conditions, there are circumstances where this teeth straightening method isn’t the most viable option. Aligners gently shift teeth into their proper position in small stages. Traditional metal braces may be necessary when teeth are severely misaligned.
Who is Invisalign not suitable for?
Though an experienced orthodontist can creatively correct misalignments using Invisalign, Invisalign does have limitations.
Severe Overbite
If an individual has a severe overbite, their upper front teeth excessively overlap their bottom front teeth when the back teeth are closed. Invisalign isn’t always effective for this condition. However, in some circumstances, if a patient faithfully wears their aligners, even deep overbites can be corrected with Invisalign.
Missing Back Teeth
Invisalign often uses attachments and rubber bands that rely on your back teeth. Therefore, if your molars are missing, Invisalign may not be able to move your teeth into the desired position without using other orthodontic techniques. However, those missing teeth in other locations within their mouth may still be candidates for Invisalign since the aligners can easily fit over the gap(s).
Extremely Rotated Teeth
Invisalign can bring slightly rotated teeth into the proper position. However, if you have an extremely rotated tooth of more than 20 degrees, you’ll need a more aggressive treatment plan that may involve traditional braces.
Crooked Jaw
Invisalign can’t treat serious jaw bone issues that require surgery. However, Invisalign treatment can help prepare teeth for surgery and be used post-surgery to straighten them.
As you can see, there are caveats to almost all of these non-starters for Invisalign treatment. That said, trust the professional opinion of your orthodontist to determine if Invisalign will be effective for you.
Can I Do Invisalign? Ask Dr. Bates
Is everyone a good candidate for Invisalign? As you’ve learned, Invisalign may not be the best solution for everyone.
How do I know if Invisalign will work for me? At Bates Orthodontics, Dr. Bates will be able to advise you on whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign or if another orthodontic treatment is better suited for your needs.
Our team has experience helping people of all age groups, and we’ll work closely with you to create a custom treatment plan that addresses your individual case. We’ll be sure to help you understand every step of the process and answer any questions that you may have along the way.
Book a free consult to get started on your journey toward a beautiful, straight, and healthy smile!
