Can Invisalign® Work as Well as Braces?
Yes, it can. The process is designed for mild to severe cases which include misaligned teeth, overly crowded teeth, etc. Most people associate wearing aligners with quick or small fixes and braces with major issues. This is not the case. When you visit our Invisalign® dentist office, we can create a treatment plan that will address whatever challenges you are facing. The key is to follow that plan closely and to keep all of your scheduled appointments.
How Does Invisalign® Treat an Underbite or an Overbite?
When straightening teeth, we do more than move them into the right positions. We also align the bite. Otherwise, you will continue to have problems and discomfort. When wearing braces, the bite is aligned using a series of rubber bands that hold the jaw in a particular position by stringing a band from one bracket on the top palate to one on the lower jaw.
When straightening teeth with Invisalign®, pressure is applied to the teeth to move them into the right position. This means that if your underbite or overbite is caused by your teeth, it can be corrected using aligners. However, if you have a physical problem with your jaw, you may need to have jaw surgery in addition to wearing your aligners.
Another option for misaligned jaws that cannot be fixed using aligners is to wear traditional braces. When you visit our dental office, we will let you know if your bite problems can be solved with Invisalign® and very often they can be.
How Does Invisalign® Treat Crowded Teeth?
At Well Being Dentistry, we can solve the challenge you are having with overcrowding using several methods. The most common orthodontic option is wearing an expander. This can be done when straightening teeth with braces or Invisalign®.
An expander pushes the arch outward so that there is naturally more room for your teeth. This is the least invasive method and is often preferred by our patients. The other option is to remove one or several teeth prior to straightening them or to shave off small portions of the enamel to make enough room.
When you visit our dental office, we can explain all of these options in detail so that you can make an educated decision regarding which solution is right for you.
Check out what others are saying about our Invisalign® services on Yelp: Invisalign® Santa Clara
What Are Attachments and How Are They Used?
Attachments are the small bumps that you may see on the teeth of someone wearing Invisalign®. They are round, small, and made from tooth-colored resin so that they are barely noticeable. Not everyone needs them as part of their treatment. If we recommend attachments, we do so because they can make it far easier for your teeth to move during the treatment process. They make it easier for the aligners to grip and, therefore, apply more pressure so that your teeth can move more effectively.
Since they are removable, they will come off at the end of your treatment plan. Buttons may also be used in combination with or in lieu of attachments. They are bonded to the teeth and an elastic is often secured to them.
Which Option Is Better for Me, Invisalign® or Braces?
This is the ultimate question because it considers you as an individual. Orthodontics (including Invisalign®) can take a year or two to work. Even mild cases can require the use of orthodontic appliances for a year, with 18 months being the average treatment time. This means that you have to be comfortable with the treatment plan and be certain that you can live with an orthodontic appliance long enough to see the procedure through. If you cannot, you will be doing yourself a disservice.
Fortunately, you have options. By asking a lot of questions when you come in for a consultation at our dental office, you can better decide which road to take. While you are doing so, keep in mind that Invisalign® is the easiest solution when it comes to allowing you to continue eating whatever you like. It is also the easiest solution when it comes to oral hygiene since you can remove the aligners to brush and floss like you always have, instead of spending valuable time using special dental tools to brush your braces.
You should also remember that wearing clear aligners means that your appearance will not be negatively impacted. Instead, you will enjoy the benefit of seeing your teeth improve as the treatment progresses. You do not have to wait until the end like you do when wearing braces. As your teeth begin to shift, your smile will appear more beautiful, giving you or your teen plenty to smile about.
At Well Being Dentistry, we are confident in our ability to transform smiles using Invisalign® aligners. If you are uncertain of what the end results will look like, we can provide you with a projected rendering so that you can get an idea of how dramatic the transformation will be. We can then help you to determine what is better, Invisalign® or braces. We will also explain the physical changes that will take place with your teeth and bite. You will need to give feedback on your lifestyle and expectations so that together, we can create a treatment plan that will work today and a year from now. To learn more, call (408) 244-0590 and schedule an appointment with our Santa Clara, CA, dental office.
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. Is Invisalign® better than braces?
Q. Can Invisalign® treat an overbite?
Q. Is Invisalign® better for me than braces?
People Also Ask
Q. Does Invisalign® really work for adults?
Q. How is Invisalign® different from traditional treatment options?
Definition of Invisalign® Terminology
- Aligner Trays
- For Invisalign® treatment, the patient receives a series of aligner trays and swaps out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten their teeth.
- Blue Compliance Indicator (Invisalign® Teen)
- The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.
- ClinCheck® Software
- ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
- Gum Line
- The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to recede.
- Incisal Ridges
- Incisal ridges are the portions of the crown of a tooth that make up the complete incisal portion. They are used to determine if the patient has an overbite.
- iTero Element® Scanner
- An iTero Element® scanner allows dental professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
- Malocclusion
- Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Malocclusion types can include overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
- Overbite
- An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing dental issues.
- Polyurethane Resin
- Polyurethane resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.
- SmartForce Attachments
- SmartForce attachments are small attachments that dental professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
- Smart Track® Material
- Smart Track® material is used for Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment, and apply gentle force to the teeth over time.
- Smile-Scan
- Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.
- Vivera® Retainers
- Vivera® is a type of retainer made from clear plastic that helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after treatment.