If your teeth are imperfect and this has been affecting your smile and confidence, you can benefit from orthodontic treatment. Dentists recommend traditional metal braces or Invisalign for the same. Invisalign is preferred because it is discreet, more comfortable, and offers greater flexibility, as it uses removable aligners. However, for your dentist to recommend Invisalign, this treatment option has to be right for you. You can also choose it over other orthodontic treatments if you are sure that it is right for you. A skilled dentist can help you make an informed decision after a thorough examination of your teeth, gums, and other underlying structures.
Here are some of the indications that you can benefit from Invisalign:
Your Teeth are Misaligned
Misaligned teeth or malocclusion are teeth that do not perfectly come together when you bite down or close your jaw. Naturally, the teeth on your upper and lower jaws must match perfectly when you bite down. If some of your teeth are misaligned because you have some crooked, overly spaced out, or crowded teeth, your teeth will not perfectly fit together when you close your jaw. This is a major problem because it is the cause of issues like overbites, underbites, and TMJ disorders.
Misaligned teeth also affect your smile and confidence. It can make your teeth look less perfect and eventually affect your self-esteem. Misalignment also affects how easily you brush or floss. This increases your risk of cavities and gum disease. Fortunately, orthodontic treatment can align your teeth for a perfect smile and effective brushing and flossing.
Traditional metal braces or Invisalign can correct misaligned teeth. You can choose Invisalign if you want a discreet treatment that doesn’t draw everyone’s attention. This is because Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that discreetly move your teeth into their rightful positions over time. The plastic aligners come with trays shaped like your teeth that fit perfectly in your mouth. They are customized for a perfect fit, ensuring they apply just enough pressure on your teeth to move.
Invisalign is a discreet treatment because the plastic trays that you wear are usually clear. They are barely visible even to the person standing right next to you. If you want a treatment for your misalignment that will not affect your smile, Invisalign is the best. The plastic aligners are also BPA-free to protect your health. This makes them ideal for all ages, especially adults who are not confident enough to wear visible metal braces.
You Have Bite-Related Problems
Bite problems occur when your teeth fail to fit together perfectly when you close your jaw or bite down. Remember that the perfect alignment of your upper and lower jaws is a mark of healthy teeth. Even a slight bite problem can lead to endless oral or dental issues that can escalate into major problems if ignored. That is why dentists recommend orthodontic treatment if you are diagnosed with any kind of bite problem.
There are various bite issues that people experience. They include:
- Overbite or a condition where your upper front teeth excessively overlap the lower front teeth vertically
- Underbites, or a condition where your lower teeth and jaw visibly protrude forward, making your lower teeth sit at the front of the upper teeth when you bite down
- A crossbite is a condition where the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when you bite down.
- Openbite, or a condition where the upper and lower teeth do not touch when you bite down
A common problem with bite issues is jaw pain. This happens when you continuously strain your jaw muscles while trying to bite down, and your teeth cannot fit perfectly. Jaw pain can easily escalate into a TMJ disorder, which could affect how easily you open and close your jaw.
Bite issues can also affect your speech. Some words are difficult to pronounce when you have an overbite or underbite. This can affect communication and your self-esteem. Additionally, bite problems affect digestion. If your bite problems affect how you chew your food, you may experience constipation and other digestive issues sooner rather than later.
Fortunately, there are issues that orthodontic treatment can fix. If, after diagnosis, your dentist qualifies you to use braces or aligners, you can choose Invisalign. However, you must carefully follow your dentist’s instructions to achieve the desired results. For example, although clear aligners are removable, you must wear them for at least 22 hours every day for your treatment to be effective. This means you can only remove them when you eat and clean your teeth.
You Need Orthodontic Treatment and Are in Good Oral Health
If you need orthodontic treatment and your teeth and gums are in excellent condition, you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Your oral health is one of the considerations your dentist makes before recommending braces or Invisalign. This is because gum disease or cavities can escalate very quickly after wearing Invisalign.
The clear plastics used in Invisalign are worn on your teeth. They can easily trap the foods and drinks you consume, increasing your risk of cavities. The advantage you get with Invisalign is that you can remove the aligners when eating and brushing, so you can reach all your teeth’s surfaces when brushing and flossing. You can remove plaque before wearing the aligners back.
Good oral hygiene should continue even after wearing braces. If anything, your dentist will advise you to put more effort into ensuring that your teeth and gums are properly cleaned. Any food that can get trapped in the aligners can encourage the growth of harmful cavity-causing bacteria, which spreads very quickly if not controlled. If you neglect dental hygiene for a day or two, you increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.
While cleaning your teeth, you must pay close attention to your gums as well. Traditional braces, which are generally unremovable, make your gum line inaccessible for effective cleaning. Clear aligners are a better alternative because you can remove and clean your gums well before wearing them again. Remember that gum disease starts at the gums. The gums start bleeding, swelling, and become sensitive even to a slight touch.
If you are a good candidate for Invisalign, your dentist will discuss it with you. They will explain the treatment process, what to expect when you wear your first set of aligners, and the progress you can expect as the treatment continues. They will also help you choose the best type of Invisalign according to your needs and preferences.
You Prefer an Orthodontic Treatment With Fewer Appointments
Many people are not flexible enough to visit their dentist’s office as often as they should. This explains why some people seek dental care at the last minute or after a dental or oral issue has escalated. Some people become overly anxious when they have to see a dentist. Other people are just too busy to make a dental appointment. The good thing is that professional dentists today offer a range of treatments tailored to their patients’ needs and preferences. Some treatments require a longer visit to the dentist’s office, while others require a shorter time.
If you need orthodontic treatment because of your misaligned, crowded, or spaced teeth, you have to specify your needs and preferences to your dentist. This helps them recommend a treatment that suits your needs and delivers the expected results. For example, you might be forced to choose between metal braces and Invisalign. While metal braces are very effective in aligning your teeth, you need to make several visits to the dentist’s office by the end of the treatment period. If you have a busy life or work schedule, this may not work very well for you.
Most adults highly prefer Invisalign because it requires fewer visits to the dentist’s office than traditional braces. Generally, you will need several appointments over the months you will need to wear clear aligners to align your teeth. The initial consultation is very important as it gives your dentist time to examine your teeth and recommend the right treatment. The second appointment is usually for fitting and attaching the aligners. After that, you will need between 6 and 10 visits, usually spread throughout the treatment period. Generally, these visits occur after 6 to 8 weeks.
Your commitment is very important when undergoing orthodontic treatment. This is because aligners do not work instantly. They work over time, during which your dentist must continuously monitor your progress. This ensures that you get the desired results at the end of the treatment period.
You Want to Keep Your Orthodontic Treatment Discreet
Discretion is especially important for adults and public figures. If you struggle with teeth misalignment, but are afraid that visible metal braces may affect how people view or interact with you, you can opt for Invisalign. Remember that Invisalign uses clear plastic aligners that can discreetly straighten your teeth without attracting too much attention. You can wear aligners for months without anyone realizing you have been in orthodontic treatment for that long.
Thus, Invisalign is right for you if you do not want the attention you will likely receive with metal braces. An inconspicuous treatment lets you align your teeth while you go about your business, especially if you are in a career that requires you to look perfect, like modelling or acting.
Invisalign will also align your teeth faster than metal braces. In addition to keeping your treatment confidential, you do not have to wear clear aligners for up to 2 years to achieve perfect tooth alignment. It takes 12 to 18 months or Invisalign to get the job done. The exact timeline depends on the severity of your malocclusion, how well you comply with the treatment plan, and how promptly the dentist makes adjustments when needed. Remember that within the treatment period, you must swap to a new tray every one for two weeks as your teeth shift to the right direction.
If You Have Good Self-Discipline
The success of Invisalign treatment mainly depends on your discipline. This is because of their removability. Remember that you can remove your aligners when eating and cleaning your teeth to prevent food particles from becoming trapped, which could encourage the growth of cavity-causing bacteria. However, you must ensure you wear the braces for the recommended number of hours each day (typically 22). This ensures the treatment’s effectiveness.
If you lack self-discipline, you may not be able to follow the treatment instructions that come with Invisalign. For example, it could be difficult to remove and wear the aligners as recommended by your dentist. Many people do not achieve the desired results after the treatment period for this reason.
If you know you have good self-discipline and can follow the dentist’s recommendation to the letter, you are the right candidate for Invisalign. In addition to wearing your aligners for the recommended time, your dentist will require you to return to their office regularly. This should happen during the treatment period to assess your progress. You must also move to the next set of trays as soon as the current one no longer fits or exerts enough pressure on your teeth.
Find a Competent Dentist Near Me
Aligning your misaligned teeth is highly recommended for your dental and oral health and also your confidence. In Agoura Hills, dentists recommend metal braces and Invisalign as top orthodontic treatments for misaligned teeth. However, you have to choose the option that fits your needs, preferences, and budget. To determine whether you are the right candidate for Invisalign, you must speak with an experienced dentist.
We have extensive skills and experience in orthodontic treatment at SoCal Dental of Agoura. We offer an in-depth examination of your teeth and gums to determine your suitability for orthodontic treatment. Then, we recommend the appropriate treatment based on your needs and preferences. If you are the right candidate for Invisalign, we will ensure you understand the treatment process and what to expect during and after treatment. Call us at 818-597-0100 to learn more.
