Many dental patients hope to straighten crooked teeth through Invisalign treatment. These custom-made clear-colored aligners fit over the teeth and push them into a desired straight position over the course of several months. This option proves more discreet and flexible when compared to other teeth-straightening solutions like braces.
While Invisalign can fix many bite problems and dental alignment issues, this treatment is not for everyone. Your dentist will evaluate your dental structure and recommend appropriate treatment based on your goals, needs, and preferences.
You can prepare yourself for this dental consultation when you better understand what is involved in Invisalign treatment. Read on to learn which qualities make for an ideal candidate for Invisalign teeth-straightening treatment at your dentist’s office.
Seeks a Straighter Smile
Invisalign is a treatment designed to straighten crooked teeth and amend bite problems. If you want to close gaps between your teeth, fix overlapping teeth, or address an overbite, underbite, crossbite, or open bite, then Invisalign could be the solution you have been looking for.
Invisalign cannot fix all dental alignment concerns, though it proves beneficial for many patients. People with small or twisted teeth might need to seek an alternative cosmetic or orthodontic treatment because they will not respond to Invisalign. Your dentist can discuss the benefits of Invisalign and how they align with your smile aesthetic goals during a consultation appointment.
Maintains Good Oral Health
Before beginning teeth straightening with Invisalign, a dentist will want to evaluate your oral health. They will check that you are free of cavities, gum disease, and other issues with your smile. They could interfere with your Invisalign treatment if they linger on your teeth. So the dentist will want to get rid of these concerns first.
A dentist will also want to see if you have existing dental fixtures in your mouth, like implants that replace missing teeth. Dental implants will not move with Invisalign like your natural teeth will. So you may need other treatments to align your smile if you have them. If needed, a dentist might refer you to an orthodontist to help you straighten teeth in complicated circumstances.
Complies with Invisalign Treatment Plan
Invisalign treatment involves a dental patient wearing aligners over their teeth for at least 22 hours each day. If they do not wear Invisalign as recommended, their teeth may shift out of place so that the aligners no longer fit. Then they will need to visit their dentist for replacements, delaying their beautiful results.
The ideal candidate for Invisalign treatment will therefore be committed to the process and willing to comply with the dentist’s plan. Treatment will last for 6 to 18 months. The patient will need to attend follow-up dental appointments so that the dentist can check the progress.
It can help for a patient to focus on the end goal of the treatment: a gorgeous, straight, healthy smile. If you have questions about what Invisalign treatment entails, give your dentist a call.