Do you want to get straighter teeth, but don’t want the hassle of wearing a brace?
Invisible aligners are a popular and now fairly common type of orthodontic treatment that involves the use of clear plastic trays to straighten misaligned teeth. These trays are custom-made to fit snugly over your teeth at each stage of the realignment and gradually shift them into the position that is desired over time. Invisible aligners are an increasingly popular alternative to metal braces simply because they are less noticeable and can be taken out of the mouth for eating and cleaning.
Invisible aligners can treat a wide range of orthodontic issues, which will be explored in this article. So, read on to learn more.
Table of Contents
Crooked teeth
One of the most persistent issues that Invisalign Sydney can treat is crooked teeth. Crooked teeth typically occur when your mouth does not have enough room for all of your teeth, which can make your teeth crowd against each other so that they overlap or get twisted.
This can also sometimes cause an issue known as impaction, particularly with wisdom teeth. If there is not enough space in your mouth for the wisdom teeth to erupt, they may impact (or crash) into the nearest neighbouring tooth underneath the gum line. Of course, the latter will usually require extraction, but it can be an indicator that there is not enough space in your mouth!
Spaced teeth
On the opposite end of the orthodontic spectrum are teeth that are too spaced apart. This may be because your teeth are too small, or missing teeth are creating extra space on the jaw. It happens more often than you think!
Provided that the spacing is mild to moderate, invisible aligners can be used to bring the teeth together, creating a more symmetrical look. This also has the obvious benefit of preventing food from getting stuck in between your teeth, which can lead to a reduction in decay.
Underbite
If your underbite is a class 2 or above, you will not be suitable for treating it with invisible aligners. In these cases, you will need fitted metal braces and orthognathic surgery.
However, very mild underbites can be treated with invisible aligners by gently pushing the teeth back into alignment with the top teeth.
Overbite
Overbites are more common than underbites, and so invisible aligners have been designed to manage overbites.
However, much like the underbites, they need to be mild to moderate for the aligners to work as you need them to, or else you may need to have fitted appliances instead.
It’s important to note that invisible aligners may not be the best treatment option for everyone. Patients with severe orthodontic problems may need more extensive treatment, such as fitted braces or surgery. Additionally, invisible aligners require a high level of patient compliance, as they must be worn for at least 22 hours per day and are usually changed every 2 weeks. Patients who are not willing or able to comply with these requirements may not see the desired results from invisible aligner treatment, and if you are struggling with this, it may be more suitable to have an invisible fitted brace. So, talk to your dental team for more information.
Any procedure that is invasive in nature carries varying degrees of risk. Consult a health practitioner that is qualified to give you medical advice on your case before proceeding.
