Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Interested in Invisalign, but not sure if it will work for you? You’re not alone! Understanding who is a good candidate for Invisalign and who is not can help you narrow down your options for straightening your smile. Let’s take a look at the criteria dentists use to determine whether or not Invisalign will work for their patients.
What makes someone a candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign allows you to improve your smile without having to wear metal braces. The plastic aligners are custom designed to fit your unique mouth. Every six to eight weeks, you receive a new set of aligner trays to gradually and gently straighten your teeth. The entire process usually takes between nine to 15 months to complete.
While Invisalign is a great option for many people, it will not work for everyone. Here is what we look for in a good candidate:
Commitment
A successful Invisalign treatment relies on your dedication to wearing their aligners for at least 22 hours each day. That means you have to wear your aligners while sleeping. The only times you can remove them are when you’re eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth. Good candidates also need to be willing to keep their aligners clean at all times.
More Than Seven Years Old
Although Invisalign aligners are suitable for any age, we usually only suggest this treatment for people over the age of seven. Because Invisalign aligners need to be worn constantly, we find that kids have greater success with this treatment when they’re a bit older.
Mild to Moderate Orthodontic Issues
Invisalign can’t treat every alignment issue, but is a great option for correcting a variety of minor problems, such as:
- Mild overbites and underbites
- Crooked teeth
- Small gaps between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Protruding teeth
Who is not a good candidate for Invisalign?
In some instances, we do have to turn down people who want Invisalign treatment. Here are some of the reasons why you might be disqualified for Invisalign:
Smoking
Smokers have a much higher risk for a number of dental issues, including dry mouth, which can increase when wearing plastic aligners. Just as nicotine and tar in tobacco cause white teeth to become yellow, they can do the same to your Invisalign aligner. Additionally, tobacco, tar, and nicotine from cigarettes may become caught in between the aligner and your teeth. This can lead to tooth discoloration and decay, as well as gum disease.
Gum Disease
The Invisalign process requires healthy gums. Wearing plastic aligners on already unhealthy gums for 22 hours a day can make gum disease worse, leading to periodontal disease and even tooth decay.
Severe Orthodontic Issues
Invisalign does have some limitations, and it is not useful for correcting severe orthodontic problems. Some issues that Invisalign can not fix include:
- Rotated teeth
- Severe overbites and underbites
- Large gaps between teeth
Invisalign Consultation in Peoria, Arizona
We hope that our explanation of who is a good candidate for Invisalign and who is not has been helpful to you! If you’d like to get a free Invisalign consultation, call Sunrise Dental today at 623-526-1154.
We have seen first-hand how life-changing this treatment can be. And, if it turns out that Invisalign is not the right course of action for your particular needs, our doctors will provide other options to make sure you get the smile you want.
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