Do you have crooked or crowded teeth? Crooked teeth can be harder to clean properly, so plaque can accumulate. This plaque can cause tooth decay and gum disease. Straightening your teeth can improve your oral health by making your smile easier to care for. Invisalign® uses nearly invisible aligners to discretely straighten your teeth. Most people will not realize that you are straightening your teeth at all. But is Invisalign right for you? Will Invisalign correct your alignment issues?
Invisalign can be used for a number of alignment and bite issues. The main issues that Invisalign can correct are as follows:
• Gapped teeth: Gaps between the teeth can lead to increased risk of periodontal disease.
• Overbite: The upper teeth bite over the lower teeth. This can lead to gum problems, wear on the lower teeth, and joint problems.
• Underbite: The lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. This can prevent the proper function of the front teeth and molars, which can lead to tooth wear. Underbites can also lead to joint issues.
• Open bite: When some of the teeth are not able to make contact with the opposing teeth, poor chewing and speech impairment can be the result. An open bite can also lead to TMJ disorders.
• Overly crowded: When there is not room in your jaw for all of the teeth to fit properly, crowded teeth can occur. This can lead to issues like plaque accumulation, tooth decay, and an increased risk of gum disease.
• Crossbite: When the upper and lower jaws are both misaligned, one or more of the upper teeth will sit on the inside of the lower teeth, causing issues like tooth wear, gum disease, and bone loss in the jaw.
If you have a dental issue that is not addressed here, please contact your dentist to discover if Invisalign is right for you. With Invisalign, you will smile through the whole straightening process!