The Advantages and Limitations of Invisalign
Overbites, along with many other orthodontic issues, may be corrected with Invisalign. As a relatively new system, Invisalign has taken the field of orthodontics by storm with its ingenuity and ease of use.
The cutting-edge technology behind this virtually invisible appliance is attractive for many, especially older teens, and adults. These age groups often want the benefit of having a beautiful smile created without the appearance of traditional braces.
However, it should be emphasized that good orthodontic treatment is not accomplished by the material used. Rather, quality treatment and excellent results are dependent on the skill of the orthodontist and orthodontic support staff administering treatment.
Beware of the “Quick Fix”
Orthodontic care is not a commodity. In other words, the results achieved during treatment are not equal from one practice to another or from one appliance to another. Unfortunately, many direct-to-consumer companies have taken advantage of the opportunity to make what appears to be a similar appliance at a significantly discounted rate. Many young people are lured into these apparent “quick-fixes” for their teeth.
While offers like this may be attractive, nothing can replace the hands-on, in-person expertise offered by professional orthodontists like Dr. Redford and Dr. Burke.
While it may seem like not much can go wrong when straightening teeth, an orthodontic appliance may do more harm than good if proper diagnosis, expert supervision, and oversight of a board-certified orthodontist does not accompany the treatment process.
On the other hand, professional treatment with Invisalign can work wonders for individuals with a vast array of issues, from overbites to tooth misalignment.
Our doctors at Burke & Redford Orthodontists work closely with patients to ensure their treatment is met with comfort, ease, and great results. Their needs, safety, and preferences are a priority.
What is Invisalign?
The Invisalign system utilizes clear, removable plastic aligner trays to correct problems ranging from improper bites to crooked teeth.
Before these aligners are made and given to patients, the treating orthodontist will spend time accurately diagnosing the case, then engineering the aligner system to move teeth as desired. An important component of this system are white colored “attachments” that are adhered to select teeth, then polished away when treatment is complete. Without these attachments, the plastic aligners cannot grip teeth and produce the necessary movements predictably or effectively. So, while Invisalign is much less noticeable than braces, it is not completely invisible.
During treatment, patients will wear a series of these clear trays, changing to each subsequent aligner in the series every 5-14 days as the teeth gradually straighten and move into their intended position.
Our top orthodontic specialists, who are well known in the Inland Empire with offices in Temecula and Lake Elsinore, will monitor treatment to ensure that appropriate progress is being made and make adjustments as needed.
It is extremely common with clear aligner treatment to have certain teeth that do not move as expected or as displayed on the fancy “clincheck” video created by clear aligner companies of your predicted tooth movement. Having an expert on hand that has several tools in their orthodontic “toolbelt” to overcome these challenging tooth movements will ensure success. Seeing a professional for care makes a tremendous difference.
Why Patients Choose Invisalign
Listed below are some reasons patients opt for clear aligners:
- The aligners are clear, making them nearly invisible to the eye. This feature is attractive for those hoping to minimize the appearance of the material straightening their teeth.
- Although the appliance must be worn for at least 22 hours each day, it may be removed at any time.
- Since the appliance can be removed, any type of food may be eaten during treatment.
- Brushing and flossing may be done normally without worrying about maneuvering around brackets or wires.
- Many patients find that clear aligners cause less soreness than actual braces, especially during the first week of treatment.
- In simple cases where the bite fits ideally, treatment time can be shorter than with traditional braces. In moderate to severe cases, or in cases where bite imperfections exist, this is not necessarily true.
After one considers the benefits associated with this teeth straightening system, it is clear why it is a popular choice for many people.
What is Invisalign Capable of Correcting?
This movement aligner system has been skillfully developed to address an array of orthodontic issues with the patient’s best interests in mind.
Some common issues these clear aligners are known to successfully treat are:
- Crowding and spacing
Crowding occurs when the teeth are too close together, allowing for plaque and bacteria to accumulate. On the other hand, spacing is when physical gaps are present between the teeth. It is common for food to become trapped in these spaces.
- Malocclusions
The term malocclusion is a fancy way of referring to a bad bite. Crossbites, open bites, overbites, and underbites are all conditions that fall under this term.
Depending on the severity of the malocclusion, these problems may be successfully corrected with clear aligners. Again, it must be stressed that Invisalign is merely a tool used to achieve changes in tooth position and bite relationships. Whether these problems are corrected during treatment is completely dependent on the orthodontist tasked with diagnosing and executing the treatment plan.
- Crooked teeth
Crooked teeth are the most common problem that this system was created to fix. Some movements (such as rotating a tooth or “extruding” a tooth) are difficult and sometimes not possible with clear aligner systems. In these cases, the orthodontist may advise having a limited number of traditional braces placed for a short time to get the “heavy lifting” done, while treating other areas with clear aligners only.
Is Invisalign Right for Me?
This question is best answered by an orthodontist. Each patient presents a different case that varies in severity and nature.
At Burke & Redford Orthodontists, it is our goal to present each patient with an honest assessment of what can be expected with each treatment option, answer any related questions, and let the patient take an active role in what treatment option works best for their goals and lifestyle.
While clear aligners can correct a wide array of issues, there are some cases that may be best fixed by our other effective options, such as:
To determine if Invisalign is right for you, Burke & Redford Orthodontists offer prospective patients an in-depth consultation free of charge. Scheduling a consultation may be done online anytime, or by calling our offices at (951) 699-8011 during normal business hours.
We look forward to assisting you at our conveniently located offices in Temecula and Lake Elsinore to discuss Invis Clear Aligners.