When you need orthodontic treatment to correct common issues like crowded teeth and overbites, you might look to metal braces. However, Invisalign can fix the same problems with much less fuss. See Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, for Invisalign dentistry for teenagers and adults suffering from overbites.
What Is Invisalign?
Many patients wonder, “What is Invisalign, and how can it correct my orthodontic issues?” Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment that’s much more comfortable and less noticeable than traditional metal braces. It involves clear aligners created using 3D technology. The 3D mapping ensures a snug fit that covers teeth without gaps.
Invisalign aligners can correct nearly any orthodontic issue braces do, including overbites, crossbites, underbites, gap teeth, and overcrowding. Since they’re clear, they’re not as visible as metal braces. Patients can also remove them, which is helpful when eating or during a special event.
With Invisalign aligners, you won’t need to worry about metal brackets and wires that can irritate the gums and mouth. Additionally, you won’t need to visit an orthodontist every few weeks to change your elastics or replace broken parts. They’re much more efficient than metal braces, so many patients choose them for orthodontic treatment.
How the Invisalign Process Works
Most people learn they need braces from their general dentist. Their dentist will recommend them to a qualified orthodontist, who will assess misalignments and outline a treatment plan. However, some general dentists like us offer in-house Invisalign treatment.
We’ll take a full scan of your teeth to determine their current positioning and proper placement. Following the scan, we submit the results to Invisalign, which uses 3D technology to create your clear aligners.
Once you start wearing your aligners, you’ll need a new set every few weeks. We’ll use the scanning process to evaluate your progress and create new aligners using the same 3D technology.
You’ll need to wear your aligners for at least 22 hours daily to maximize your treatment. You can remove them while eating or for a special event. However, you won’t see quick progress unless you commit to keeping them in your mouth for most of the day.
The process can take as little as six months to yield the final results with Invisalign. However, patients with more severe orthodontic issues must wear their Invisalign aligners longer — sometimes up to two years.
With Invisalign, teeth move into their desired position reasonably quickly. Additionally, you won’t need to worry about common problems encountered by people with metal braces, like stains on their teeth, difficulty removing stuck food particles, and broken wires.
How Invisalign Corrects Overbites
Since Invisalign treatment is tailor-made to suit patients’ needs, individuals receive customized aligners that fit snugly over their teeth. The aligners apply slight force to the person’s teeth, gently moving them over time to where they should be.
As the Invisalign process continues, patients receive new aligners that fit their teeth as they shift. Some patients may require elastics to help correct an overbite. The elastics are similar to what people with metal braces wear. They hook onto a bottom and top tooth, helping shift the jawbone into its proper location.
If you need elastics to fix your overbite, we’ll create the hooks on the exterior of your aligners, likely on the bottom molars and the top side teeth. You’ll need to wear the elastics throughout the day and replace them whenever you remove your aligners to eat. The elastics are clear, so they won’t be immediately apparent to others. Over time, your jawbone will shift into place, correcting the overbite.
Following Invisalign treatment, you must wear a retainer to ensure your teeth stay in the correct position. Retainers are critical following the initial therapy since teeth may return to their original position without them.
A retainer allows your jawbone to get used to its new position and form new bone tissue. Most patients will need to wear a retainer for at least six months following Invisalign teeth positioning. However, everyone is different. We’ll help you determine how long you’ll need to wear a retainer and how many hours each day.
Deciding Between Invisalign and Traditional Braces
As Invisalign is still a relatively new treatment, adults and parents may wonder whether it’s the right solution or whether traditional braces are the better alternative. Both treatments can correct overbites, so often, the decision comes down to price, appearance, and personal habits.
Invisalign pricing is typically comparable to metal braces. Most dental insurance covers Invisalign treatment and metal braces, so you’ll only need to pay part of the cost.
Additionally, you won’t need to spend as much time in our office with Invisalign. While we’ll need to see you every few weeks, we won’t be changing metal wires or removing brackets. Instead, we’ll perform a scan to check your progress and provide you with new aligners.
Invisalign aligners are clear, so they’re less noticeable than metal braces. That makes them highly attractive to adults and teenagers seeking orthodontic treatment.
Aligners also mean you won’t need to worry about what you eat since you remove them before a meal. You can enjoy your favorite foods, like popcorn and candy, while people with metal braces must be mindful of what they put in their mouths.
Invisalign Treatment Can Correct Your Overbite
The results with Invisalign are pretty impressive, and they can fix most of the issues metal braces can, including overbites. If you want to learn more about Invisalign, schedule an appointment with Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS, in Bay Village, OH. Our Invisalign dentistry can help you correct misalignments and overbites without needing metal braces. Contact us today and embark on your journey toward a beautifully aligned smile.
