Invisalign® has revolutionized how we think about straightening teeth, with nearly invisible aligners and less treatment time than traditional braces. However, there are some cases where Invisalign® may not work as effectively as braces.
Our West Omaha dentists break down six factors that might affect Invisalign® treatment here.
6 Factors That Affect Invisalign®
Prior Dental Work
If you have existing dental work, such as a bridge or veneers, it can interfere with being able to use Invisalign®. If a bridge is present, Invisalign® is not an option because there's nothing for the aligners to attach to the same way it would with natural teeth.
Similarly, although it's possible to use aligners with porcelain veneers and crowns, they don't bond easily to the surface, so they may not work correctly with Invisalign®, and braces may be recommended.
New Dental Work
After crafting Invisalign® retainers, new dental work, such as crowns or porcelain veneers, may not fit properly or work effectively to move the teeth. All new restoration work must wait until treatment with Invisalign® is finished — even if it’s only on one tooth — as this can cause aligners to no longer fit appropriately.
Tooth Shape
Tooth shape can play an integral role in determining the effectiveness of braces or aligners.
Those with short and round teeth or large tips may find that their aligner cannot get a good grasp and thus cannot effectively move the teeth into the preferred location.
If you're considering using braces or an aligner but are worried about your tooth's shape, feel free to contact us. Our highly professional and experienced dentists will happily provide advice tailored to your needs, so you know that your tooth shape won't be a problem.
Large Gaps
If significant gaps exist between your teeth and you want to close them, Invisalign® might not be an ideal treatment solution. The technology uses clear aligners to move teeth into the correct position over time, and it can typically close up to 4-6mm of space per arch, meaning on the top or the bottom of your mouth.
The first step is to contact us so we can explain the process in more detail and discuss if Invisalign® is appropriate for closing the gaps between your teeth. We are here to help you understand the treatment and make informed decisions about what's best for your smile!
Midline Offset
A midline offset can give the illusion that your teeth are crooked or misplaced, and it could even feel uncomfortable. Fortunately, Invisalign® can help offset midlines up to 2mm per arch with minimal discomfort and no visible metal braces necessary.
If your offset is larger than 2mm, however, you'll more than likely require traditional braces in order to correct it. At our practice, we're experienced in helping individuals identify and correct offset midlines. If this is an area of concern for you, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're here to make sure you have a beautiful and healthy smile!
Tooth Position
When teeth need to fit in a crowded mouth, they can shift position over time and become twisted or tilted to make more space. This position will be difficult for regular braces or Invisalign® to fix, particularly for molars that have rotated over 20 degrees.
Likewise, if a tooth is tilted more than 45 degrees from its original position, braces or Invisalign® may also struggle to readjust it.
Find Out If Invisalign Is The Right Choice For You
If you're concerned that your misaligned teeth cannot be successfully treated with Invisalign, don't worry! While certain conditions may prevent you from receiving the treatment, they are rare, and most mild to moderate tooth alignment issues can easily be corrected.
Braces aren’t your only option — call 402-498-8804 or contact us today to learn more about the benefits of Invisalign® and decide with our team which course of treatment is best for your smile!
About the Author: Drs. Sharlene and Robert Wilson offer various general and cosmetic dentistry services in Omaha, NE. They earned their doctorate from the University of Nebraska Medical Center College of Dentistry. With over 30 years of combined experience, both are committed to helping patients achieve beautiful, healthy, and long-lasting smiles. Call 402-498-8804 to schedule an appointment.