Is Invisalign Right for You? What Clear Aligners Can and Can't Do
If your teeth are crowded, gapped or crooked, you have probably wondered whether clear aligners would work for you. What follows is general information: what aligners can usually address, what wearing them asks of you day to day, and who is in a position to judge a case. It is meant to help you bring better questions to the conversation, not to settle the answer for your own teeth.
What aligners can generally correct
Whether Invisalign will work is something only your dentist or orthodontist can tell you. Generally, Invisalign can correct most mild to moderate orthodontic issues, and if a case is severe, traditional braces might be more suitable (Cleveland Clinic).
Two related questions are covered in their own articles: how aligners and braces differ and what clear aligners are.
If you have cavities or gum disease
A person with cavities or gum disease should see a dentist for treatment and, once those conditions are managed, ask the dentist whether orthodontic treatment is right for them (Cleveland Clinic).
What wearing aligners asks of you
The routine works like this: each set of aligner trays is worn for approximately two weeks and then swapped for the next set in the series. Unlike metal braces, clear aligners are removable, but they have to be worn for at least 22 hours every day, and they should come out only to eat, drink and brush (Cleveland Clinic).
Whether that routine fits your life is something only you can judge, and it is worth thinking about honestly before the question of candidacy comes up at all.
More than appearance
Correcting an abnormal bite can create a nice-looking smile but, more importantly, results in a healthier mouth (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
Who provides aligner treatment
Removable aligners are an option for treating orthodontic problems under the direct supervision of a dentist or orthodontist. Orthodontic treatment may be provided by a dentist or an orthodontist, depending on the dentist's orthodontic experience and the severity of the case (American Dental Association (MouthHealthy)).
Where to take the question
Our office is at 147 Main St, 2nd Floor, Lodi, NJ 07644, and Dr. Steven Liao is our dentist. You can also look at our Invisalign page. When you are ready to book a first visit, start at our first-visit page, and take your own questions with you — no article can answer them for your own teeth.
Sources
- Cleveland Clinic. "Teeth Braces." Updated 2023-01-13. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24601-teeth-braces
- Cleveland Clinic. "Orthodontics." Updated 2022-10-12. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/24285-orthodontics
- American Dental Association (MouthHealthy). "Braces." https://www.mouthhealthy.org/all-topics-a-z/braces
