Clear aligners like Invisalign® have made straightening teeth more convenient for many teens and adults. They’re nearly invisible, removable, and don’t use brackets or wires. But they aren’t the right choice for every smile. Here’s a look at who tends to be a good candidate, when another approach may work better, and how to find out which is right for you.
How Invisalign Works, in Brief
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, clear plastic aligners. Each set is shaped slightly differently from the last, gently moving your teeth a little at a time toward a planned final position. You switch to a new set on a schedule your dentist sets. For a closer look at each step, from the first scan to retainers, see our Invisalign page.
Who Is Often a Good Candidate?
Clear aligners can treat many of the most common orthodontic problems, including:
- Crowding: teeth that overlap or twist because there isn’t enough room.
- Spacing: gaps between teeth.
- Mild to moderate bite problems, such as some overbites, underbites, crossbites and open bites.
- Teeth that have shifted after earlier orthodontic treatment, often because a retainer wasn’t worn.
Aligners are used for both adults and teens. Adults often appreciate that aligners are hard to notice at work and in photos, and many teens are good candidates as well. Whatever your age, your teeth and gums need to be healthy before you start, so cavities or gum disease are usually treated first.
When Braces or Other Treatment May Be a Better Fit
Aligners have come a long way, but some situations are better handled with traditional braces, or with braces combined with other treatment:
- Complex bite problems, especially severe overbites, underbites or open bites.
- Skeletal problems, where the upper and lower jaws don’t line up because of how they grew. These may need orthodontic treatment combined with jaw surgery.
- Teeth that need large or difficult movements, such as severely rotated teeth or teeth that must move a long distance.
- Teeth that haven’t fully come in or are impacted (stuck under the gums or in the bone).
- Certain dental work, such as several crowns or bridges, which can affect how aligners grip and move teeth.
In some of these cases, your dentist may recommend seeing an orthodontist, a dentist who specializes in moving teeth and aligning jaws.
Are You Ready for the Commitment?
Because aligners are removable, results depend on you. They need to be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day, every day, and taken out only to eat, to drink anything other than water, and to brush and floss. Ask yourself:
- Will I wear my aligners consistently, including overnight?
- Can I brush my teeth before putting them back in after meals and snacks?
- Will I keep track of my aligners and switch to each new set on schedule?
- Am I ready to wear a retainer after treatment so my teeth don’t drift back?
If you can answer yes, aligners may suit you well. If keeping trays in all day sounds hard to manage, fixed braces, which work around the clock without you having to remember them, may be more practical.
How to Find Out
The only way to know for sure is an exam. At a consultation, your dentist looks at your teeth, gums and bite, takes X-rays and photos as needed, and listens to what you’d like to change. A digital scan of your teeth is used to plan treatment, and you can see a preview of how your teeth are expected to move before you begin.
Dr. Malinda Lam-Gershony is certified in Invisalign and can talk with you about whether clear aligners, braces or another option makes the most sense for your smile. To get started, request a consultation at our Redmond office.
This article is general information, not a diagnosis; call us at (425) 867-1484 for advice about your situation.