A lot of people are self-conscious about their smiles but don’t want to go through the hassle and time commitment of traditional braces. If you’re one of those people, then Invisalign may be a fantastic solution for you. This orthodontic treatment uses clear aligners to straighten your teeth without the need for metal wires or brackets. Our team with Dr. Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS in Bay Village, OH, can help you get the smile you’ve always wanted in as little as six months.
Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
1. Those With Crooked Teeth
When most people think of crooked teeth, they probably picture a youngster with a mouth full of metal braces. However, crooked teeth are not just a problem for children — adults can also suffer from misaligned teeth. There are several things that can cause crooked teeth, including genetics, thumb sucking, and injury.
People who have crooked teeth often struggle with self-esteem issues and may avoid smiling or even laughing in public. In addition, crooked teeth can make it difficult to chew properly and may lead to tooth decay or gum disease.
2. Those Dealing With an Overbite
An overbite is a common dental condition in which the upper teeth protrude too far forward, often causing the lower teeth to be pushed backward. Overbites can occur for several reasons, including genetics, incorrect jaw alignment, thumb sucking, or even just bad habits like chewing on ice or pen caps. If left untreated, an overbite can lead to a number of problems, such as difficulty speaking or eating, gum disease, and even tooth loss.
3. Those Dealing With an Underbite
An underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth protrude beyond the upper teeth. An underbite can be genetic, due to trauma, or the result of poor dental hygiene. There are several ways to treat an underbite. In most cases, braces may be enough to correct the problem. For more severe cases, surgery may be necessary.
4. Those Dealing With a Crossbite
A crossbite is a misalignment of the teeth, in which the upper teeth bite down on the inside of the lower teeth. Crossbites can occur in both the front and back teeth, and can be severe enough to cause pain and difficulty chewing. There are several possible causes of crossbites, including dental crowding, abnormal jaw growth, or thumb sucking. In some cases, crossbites may also be caused by an injury to the mouth or teeth.
If left untreated, crossbites can lead to a number of problems, such as gum disease, tooth decay, and eventually even tooth loss. Fortunately, there are a variety of treatments available for crossbites. During your consultation, we will carefully examine your mouth and teeth in order to develop a treatment plan that is right for you. In most cases, we recommend clear aligners to correct teeth misalignment.
5. Those With Gaps in Teeth
Gaps in teeth, also known as diastema, is a relatively common condition that can affect both children and adults. There are a few things to know about gaps in teeth. First, they can be caused by a several factors, including genetics, injury, and tooth decay. Second, gaps can affect both the appearance of your smile and your oral health.
If the gaps are large, they may trap food and bacteria, which can lead to cavities or gum disease. Finally, there are a few ways to treat gaps in teeth. For minor gaps, porcelain veneers may be an option. For larger gaps, dental aligners may be necessary.
6. Those Dealing With Open Bites
An open bite occurs when the teeth in the front of the mouth do not come together when you close your jaws. The spaces between the teeth can be very small, or they can be large enough that a person can place their tongue between their teeth. Open bites can occur on the front teeth, or they may occur on the side teeth. If an open bite exists on both the front and side teeth, it is called a complete open bite.
An untreated open bite can cause a number of problems, including crowding of the teeth, difficulty chewing food, jaw pain, speech difficulties, and tooth wear. Open bites are classified according to their location. The four main types of open bite are:
- Anterior open bite
- Posterior open bite
- Dental open bite
- Skeletal open bite
7. Those With Crowded Teeth
In most cases, crowding occurs when there is simply not enough space in the mouth for all of the teeth. This can be due to genetics, early loss of baby teeth, or bad habits. Crowded teeth can lead to difficulty cleaning between the teeth, which can increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease.
In addition, crowded teeth can also cause bite problems and speech difficulties. If you or your child has crowded teeth, please visit us for an evaluation. Treatment options will vary depending on the severity of the crowding, but will likely include aligners.
Consultation
When you come in for a consultation, the first thing we will do is take a series of x-rays and photographs of your teeth. This helps us to get a better idea of your dental structure and how your teeth are aligned. We will also ask you about your dental history and any concerns you have about your teeth.
Once we have all the information we need, we will be able to give you a better idea of what the aligners can do for you. We will also go over the cost of treatment. Ultimately, the decision to move forward with the treatment is up to you, but we will be there to answer any questions you may have so that you can make the best decision for your smile.
Treatment
If you decide to move forward with the treatment, we will use the photographs and x-rays of your teeth to create a digital model of your mouth. We will then use this model to design your custom treatment plan. Once your treatment plan is finalized, we will order your custom aligners. Each aligner is individually made to fit your mouth and gradually move your teeth into the desired position.
You will wear each aligner for about two weeks before moving on to the next one in the series. Throughout treatment, you will need to come in for periodic appointments so that we can monitor your progress. Once you have reached your goal, we will provide you with a retainer to help keep your teeth in their new position.
Things You Should NOT Do During Invisalign Treatment
1. Missing Appointments
It’s crucial that you attend all of your scheduled appointments with our dental care provider. During these appointments, we will check to make sure your aligners are fitting correctly and that your teeth are shifting as they should be. Missing appointments could ultimately lengthen the duration of your treatment.
2. Forgetting To Wear Your Aligners
In order for aligners to work, you need to wear them for at least 20-22 hours each day. This means that you should only remove them to eat, drink, brush, and floss. If you don’t wear them for the recommended amount of time each day, you may not see the results you want or it could lengthen the duration of your treatment.
3. Eating or Drinking With Your Aligners In
It’s very important that you remove your aligners before eating or drinking anything besides water. Not only is it bad for your aligners (they can stain easily), but it’s also bad for your teeth. When you eat or drink with your aligners in, food and drinks can get trapped next to your teeth which can lead to oral health problems.
4. Smoking With Your Aligners In
Just like eating and drinking with your aligners in, smoking with your aligners in can cause stained aligners and other oral health problems. If you smoke cigarettes or cigars, make sure to remove your aligners beforehand.
5. Ignoring Discomfort
It’s normal to experience some discomfort when first getting used to wearing Invisalign aligners. However, if the discomfort persists or gets worse, be sure to contact us right away as this could be a sign that something isn’t fitting correctly.
A Brighter Smile Is Only an Appointment Away!
We believe that everyone deserves to have a smile they can be proud of. That’s why we offer Invisalign, a state-of-the-art clear aligner treatment that can help you achieve the straight teeth you’ve always wanted. The aligners are virtually invisible, so nobody will even know you’re wearing them. Contact Dr. Cynthia J. Mikula, DDS in Bay Village, OH, to find out more about this treatment.
