Dental patients who want a perfect smile have a lot of options these days. You may have heard of Invisalign orthodontic treatment for straightening crooked teeth and wondered if it would be right for you or your loved one.
Invisalign treatment uses clear trays which fit closely over teeth and apply constant pressure. The trays shift teeth slowly like wire braces do. Their clear plastic is close to invisible, and the trays are removable for eating.
Invisalign treatment can correct many misalignments. If you or your loved one have any of the following malocclusions, then Invisalign treatment may be a good option to field by your dentist.
Dental Crowding
Dental crowding occurs in mouths that don’t offer enough space for the quantity and size of their teeth. To cope, teeth grow in crooked and may overlap. Crowding is usually caused by genetics.
Invisalign treatment can straighten teeth that have grown in askew. Consult with your dentist to see if your case of overcrowding also requires some tooth removal or jaw surgery to create enough space for each tooth.
Diastema
Diastema describes gappy teeth. These mouths are blessed with an overabundance of space, which can also result in crooked teeth when they wander in the wide margins. The gaps may be a challenge to clean, too.
Invisalign treatment will gently guide your teeth into aesthetic and optimized chewing positions, and a retainer will keep them that way.
Open Bite
Open bites describe when back teeth are touching, but there is a visible gap between the front incisors. Genetics and habits can cause overbites. Sometimes the jaw just grows in a way that prevents the teeth from closing. This type of open bite requires surgery to correct. Invisalign treatment can correct open bites caused by habits these habits:
- Tongue thrusting.
- Sucking on external objects as a child.
Overbite
An Overbite is when, in a closed mouth, the front top teeth cover the front bottom teeth a lot. It is good for this to happen in moderation, specifically, ⅓ of the lower teeth should be covered. If the bottom teeth are entirely covered, even to the point where your gums are being touched by teeth, then the overbite has gone too far.
Invisalign treatment shifts your molars and front teeth so that when your back teeth touch, your front teeth are further apart.
Overjet
Affectionately referred to as “buck-teeth,” an overjet is when the front incisors stick out towards the lips. A similar effect is also caused if the lower front teeth are angled in towards your tongue. Overjets can be caused by the following:
- Genetic factors that affect jaw shape.
- Infants and toddlers using a bottle or pacifier for too long.
- Children sucking on thumbs.
- pushing on your front teeth with your tongue.
Buck-teeth can cause some speech slurring, and biting challenges. Overbites are corrected by gently rotating the angled teeth to point straight up or down. Invisalign treatment can rotate teeth in mild to moderate cases. Extremely angled teeth may need to be pulled into place using wire braces instead.
Underbite
An underbite is when the bottom front teeth cover and hide the top front teeth in a closed mouth. Underbites can be caused by many things:
- Genetics, which determine tooth size and jaw shape,
- A broken jaw.
- A tumor.
- Sucking on thumbs or bottles past infancy.
- Sucking on pacifiers beyond 3 years of age.
- Pushing on the front teeth with their tongue.
Children with mild underbites are generally treated around age 7 when their permanent teeth begin to come in. More severe cases may have early surgery. The only real way to know what timeline and treatment may be best for your child is to visit a pediatric dentist for a consultation.
Adolescents and adults with underbites can consult with their dentist about starting treatment options at any time. Invisalign can shift overcrowded teeth to help resolve some forms of underbite.
Try Invisalign Yourself!
Many bite issues are caused by factors in childhood, and can easily be corrected with Invisalign treatment. You may have learned to live with your mouth as it is, but Invisalign treatment can increase your oral health and straighten your smile.You may find yourself smiling and talking more as your confidence grows.
Reach out to Drs. Caleb and Megan Beam for a dental consultation at your home for a beaming smile!