What Kinds of Conditions Can Invisalign® Treat?

Invisalign® uses customized, transparent plastic aligners to gently move your teeth into place without any metal wires or brackets. And because they’re so thin and lightweight, no one will ever know you’re wearing them. If you’re wondering how does Invisalign work or whether it’s right for you, there are some important things to keep in mind.

Some of the conditions treated using Invisalign include:

Misaligned Teeth

Crooked teeth are typically referred to as “malocclusion” or general tooth misalignment. Over the last 20 years, Invisalign’s digital planning and accuracy have improved treatment options for people with crooked teeth. Including those with moderate to severe tooth misalignment, who may have been told in the past that traditional braces were their only option.

Gaps Between Teeth

Wide spaces between teeth are often the result of tooth loss, gum disease, or having small teeth in general. This dilemma creates spaces where food and plaque buildup tend to accumulate, increasing your chances of cavities and gum disease. Invisalign is a predictable orthodontic system that can safely and gently move your teeth closer together to fill in visible spaces in your smile. Even large gaps between your two front teeth (diastemas.)

Overbites, Underbites, and Protruding Teeth

When our teeth and jaws don’t line up correctly, it can cause teeth to splay outward, increasing our risk of dental injuries, emergencies, or jaw pain. Overbites and underbites can also be genetic or due to something like thumb sucking as a child. And since they affect the alignment of your jaws, orthodontic therapy is the only way to bring those teeth back into a healthy, harmonious alignment. Invisalign is so predictable and advanced that we can use it to correct more severe malocclusions, including overbites and underbites in many cases.

Cosmetic Concerns

Symmetry is a key element of a beautiful smile. But if your teeth are crooked, crowded, overlapping, or just out of alignment in general, it can detract from your appearance. Not to mention your self-confidence. Invisalign is a holistic option for improving the way your smile looks without the need for any irreversible cosmetic treatments.

In fact, we might recommend Invisalign in San Diego before other cosmetic procedures like dental veneers or bonding, depending on how your teeth line up. This can reduce the complexity of your treatment needs in addition to protecting the aesthetic restorations you’re planning to get.

Premature Tooth Wear

Any time our teeth don’t line up properly or hit end-on-end, it places irregular pressure points across our tooth enamel. And even though enamel is extremely durable, it’s not invincible against constant overexertion. In time, crooked or misaligned teeth will wear out prematurely, break off, or cause failing dental work in those spaces.

By aligning your teeth with Invisalign, you can ensure your teeth fit together, and function as nature intended, extending the overall lifespan of your smile.

TMJ Disorder

We often recommend Invisalign in San Diego for our patients experiencing symptoms of TMJ disorder (TMD/TMJD.) These can include problems like a popping or clicking jaw, frequent headaches, joint pain, or a limited range of motion. Since TMJ disorder can make everyday activities like eating or talking painful, and it can be made worse when your teeth don’t line up properly, adjusting your bite may be an essential part of your treatment plan.

Periodontal Disease

While you might not think about gum disease being one of the conditions treated using Invisalign, orthodontic therapy is an important part of a comprehensive treatment strategy for periodontitis. Because crowded and misaligned teeth are much more prone to periodontal disease, straightening your teeth with Invisalign can help boost your oral hygiene and wellness. In turn, you can help avoid potential tooth loss or health risks that are aggravated by chronic oral infections.

Find Out if Invisalign in San Diego is Right for You

For Invisalign in San Diego, call Scripps West Dental today. We’ll see you for a no-obligation consultation to discuss your options and answer any questions that you have.