6 Problems that Invisalign® Corrects

More than 17 million people worldwide — including such celebrities as Tom Cruise, Serena Williams, and Justin Bieber —  have enhanced their smiles with Invisalign® clear aligners. Wondering if you should, too.

Board Certified Dentist Jason Ray, located in Santa Monica, California, can help you decide.  In this blog, he breaks down Invisalign treatment and six common problems it can fix.

Invisalign basics

The Invisalign system uses customized aligner trays made of a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack®. The trays are made to adhere to your teeth, so they don’t shift or fall out when you’re wearing them. But the beauty is they’re also removable.

That, along with their virtual invisibility, is a premiere advantage over traditional metal braces. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, there are no dietary restrictions, and it's easy to maintain good oral hygiene.

Add to that that, unlike metal braces, they’re pain-free, and it’s easy to understand why teens and adults alike love Invisalign.

To begin treatment, Dr. Ray will evaluate your mouth and create a customized treatment plan. The plan lays out a detailed progression sequence that can include anywhere from 8 to 18 aligners designed to be worn over 12 to 18 months (minor flaws may take as little as six months).

You wear these trays 22 hours out of every 24 for best results, removing them to brush, floss, and eat. Every few months, you come in for a progress check and new aligners. Invisalign typically entails far fewer office appointments than traditional braces.

Problems Invisalign can correct

Among the most common reasons Dr. Ray’s patients choose Invisalign to resolve are: 

1. Crowded teeth

Teeth that are close or overlapped are gently moved apart, relieving pressure on your arch.

2. Gaps between teeth

Conversely, if your smile has gaps, the aligners nudge your teeth closer together, eliminating the spaces for a perfect smile.

3. Misaligned teeth

Teeth set at a slight angle so the edge is pointing forward can be slowly shifted so their front face is correctly pointed outward.

4. Open bite

This is when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet. In such cases, Invisalign moves upper and lower teeth into position so they close correctly.

5. Underbite

This is when the bottom teeth are in front of the upper teeth. Underbites can cause your teeth to wear more quickly and create difficulties with speech. Invisalign moves the lower teeth back to sit behind the front teeth naturally.  

In extreme cases, traditional braces may be necessary.

6. Crossbite

This is when some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth rather than outside. Crossbites can cause your teeth to chip, wear down, and cause gum recession..

Many cases of crossbite can be corrected with  Invisalign.

To book your Invisalign consultation, call Dr. Ray at (310) 581-5700 or request an appointment online.

*Individual results may vary.