Most people know that Invisalign is a teeth straightening treatment for teens and adults. However, they often don’t understand the criteria for Invisalign or who is eligible for Invisalign treatment.
Having crooked teeth or bite issues may make you a good candidate for Invisalign, but there are other factors to consider with an Invisalign treatment.
Are you interested in learning about how to know if you need Invisalign?
In this article, we’re sharing professional information about getting Invisalign and answering questions like:
- How do I know if Invisalign is right for me?
- Do I qualify for Invisalign?
- What does Invisalign treat?
- Should I get Invisalign?
Keep reading to gain a better understanding of how to qualify for Invisalign.
Why Should I Get Invisalign?
Invisalign has become a popular alignment option among adults, and teens are also taking a liking to it over traditional braces. Sometimes, orthodontists even use Invisalign for early orthodontic treatment in children.
But how do you know if Invisalign is right for you?
Invisalign is a powerful straightening tool, but it isn’t suitable for everyone. And just because you have some gaps or crooked teeth doesn’t mean you need an Invisalign teeth-straightening treatment.
That said, there are three reasons to consider getting Invisalign:
- Aesthetic appearance
- Mouth and jaw functionality
- Oral health
Let’s take a look at these three reasons more in-depth.
1. Aesthetic Appearance
One reason to get Invisalign is for a straighter smile.
Many people, especially adults later in life, desire a straighter smile but think they can’t get one. Or, if they do think about straightening their teeth, they don’t want to get traditional wire braces because of the look and feel of traditional braces.
Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces that can produce the same results. It offers many benefits that make it more appealing, like:
- Being transparent and nearly invisible
- Being removable for eating and drinking
- Being less invasive (i.e., you don’t have metal brackets placed on your teeth that can irritate the inside of your mouth)
With Invisalign, you can close gaps or align crooked teeth to achieve the straight smile you’ve always wanted.
But there are some factors an orthodontist will consider before starting you with Invisalign. Here are some questions to asks yourself if you’re wondering, “Do I qualify for Invisalign?”:
- Do I have good oral health? (i.e., healthy teeth and gums)
- Do I have good hygiene practices? (i.e., brushing twice a day and flossing)
- Am I willing to commit to my treatment? (i.e., wearing my Invisalign trays for the recommended 20-22 hour each day)
If you can answer “yes” to each of these questions, Invisalign may be an excellent alignment choice for you.
2. Mouth and Jaw Functionality
A second reason to consider getting Invisalign is to fix mouth or jaw problems.
The two most common jaw problems are:
- Overbite: the top teeth overlap the bottom teeth too much
- Underbite: the bottom teeth protrude too far forward
Sometimes, jaw alignment issues can cause pain or long-term discomfort. Specific negative symptoms of an overbite or underbite include:
- Difficulty biting and chewing
- Challenges with speaking
- Mouth or face pain
So, how do you fix these two problems? “Can you fix an underbite/overbite without braces?”
How Orthodontists Fix Overbites and Underbites
Overbites and underbites rarely fix themselves, so anyone with one of these issues will need to seek out a professional for treatment.
Some adults develop jaw alignment issues later in life or never had them treated when they were younger. However, orthodontists can often recognize a jaw issue early in a child’s life and start treatment before the adult years. Regardless of your age, there are ways to fix jaw problems.
The method of treatment your orthodontist uses will depend on the severity of your case. Severe jaw alignment issues may need surgery in conjunction with orthodontic treatment, like Invisalign or braces. Orthodontists can often fix more straightforward cases with Invisalign alone.
Getting Invisalign (or another orthodontic treatment) can fix jaw issues, relieve associated pain, and restore mouth/jaw functionality.
3. Overall Oral Health
Lastly, you may think, “I want to get Invisalign” to straighten crooked teeth so that you can decrease your risk of gum disease and tooth decay. Even if this has never crossed your mind, it’s one of the significant benefits of an Invisalign teeth-straightening treatment.
Food particles can more easily get stuck in gaps. Crooked or misaligned teeth make brushing and flossing effectively more difficult. Anytime your teeth are tough to clean, it increases your risk of gum disease and tooth decay.
Whether you have gaps in your teeth, crooked teeth, or both, correctly aligning your teeth makes them easier to clean and promotes better oral health.
Now that you know some of the reasons to consider Invisalign, let’s talk about how to know if Invisalign is right for you.
How to Know If You Need Invisalign
We just finished sharing three reasons why you may consider getting Invisalign:
- You want a straighter, more beautiful smile.
- You have a jaw alignment problem that needs to be fixed.
- You want the oral health benefits that come from straighter teeth.
These are all great reasons to get Invisalign, but how do you know if Invisalign is right for you?
The single best way to know whether you’re a good candidate for Invisalign is to talk with a trained orthodontist. They can look at your mouth, take images, and share expert advice on your current situation.
And apart from the brief answers we provided in this article, your orthodontist can more specifically answer questions concerning your unique situation, like:
- Do I qualify for Invisalign?
- Do I need Invisalign?
- What does Invisalign treat?
At Bates Orthodontics, we pride ourselves on providing high-quality, professional orthodontic services to men, women, and children of all ages. Whether you’re a parent with a child who has orthodontic needs or you’re an adult looking for a straighter smile, we have the solution for you. We take a conservative approach to orthodontics so that you only receive treatment when it’s necessary. Our in-house orthodontist is also a Diamond Invisalign provider, putting him in the top 1% of Invisalign providers nationwide—that’s excellence you can trust!
Schedule a free consultation to see if Invisalign is the right alignment choice for you.
