When you have crooked teeth, a gap, or any cosmetic concerns where your teeth don’t suit your desired appearance? You can try Invisalign. With this revolutionary approach to modern orthodontics, your dentist can help correct all kinds of dental issues. But does Invisalign fix an overbite?
Invisalign can be an excellent approach to treating mild-to-moderate overbite. However, a different approach may be needed if the misalignment is too severe. If you have an overbite, speak with your dentist; they can help determine if Invisalign is the right approach.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an incredible option for people looking to correct misaligned, gapped, or crooked teeth. This treatment uses custom-made removable clear plastic aligners to push the teeth into their desired position gently.
With no metal brackets or wires, Invisalign is a subtle but effective way to straighten teeth without cumbersome braces or materials. It’s a major benefit for people looking for orthodontic correction but wanting to retain their natural appearance.
The aligners are worn for about 2 weeks or so at a time. Once this time is up, you switch to a new set that slightly changes the pressure applied to your teeth. You wear this new set for 2 weeks or so, then repeat with a new set, and so on.
What Dental Issues Can Invisalign Correct?
Invisalign has become an extremely effective approach. It can correct plenty of different orthodontic issues, including:
- Gaps in teeth: This is where there’s abnormal spacing between teeth due to abnormal continued growth of the jawbone.
- Open bite: This is where the upper and lower teeth slant outward to create a space between the biting surfaces
- Underbite: This is where the lower teeth land in front of the upper teeth
- Crowded teeth: This is where there is not enough room in your jaw for all of your teeth to fit comfortably
- Crossbite: This is where one or more upper teeth bite on the inside of the lower teeth
These issues, when left unattended, may lead to further dental complications and oral health risks. This is just one reason why Invisalign can be so helpful; it lets you correct these kinds of issues subtly and efficiently.
What Is an Overbite?
An overbite, or a deep bite, occurs when the upper teeth significantly overlap with the lower teeth. While it isn’t always a serious medical problem, it can lead to issues like:
- An increased risk of trauma to the upper teeth
- Chewing difficulties
- Speech difficulties
These often develop as a result of natural genetics. The jaw doesn’t always grow perfectly, leading to this misalignment. While an overbite may not cause noticeable discomfort, it can have long-term implications for oral health, making it essential to consider treatment if you have a significant overbite.
How to Correct an Overbite
When it comes to correcting an overbite, your dentist may recommend Invisalign. It can be beneficial for treating a mild-to-moderate overbite. However, your optometrist may recommend an alternative like braces or surgery if you have a severe overbite or any other underlying condition that could affect Invisalign.
For most patients, though, Invisalign can be an effective way to reduce overbite. It offers an orthodontic approach without an invasive procedure, which can be ideal for many people. It is important to remember that every person’s case is different, so you’ll need to schedule a consultation with your dentist to determine whether or not Invisalign could help correct your smile.
What to Expect from Your Invisalign Treatment
If you are considering Invisalign as an orthodontic treatment, it’s essential to understand what to expect. There will be a few steps:
- Initial consultation: During this time, your dentist will map out a customized treatment plan. They will explain how long you should expect the treatment to take and what your results should look like.
- Fitting: Once you begin treatment, your orthodontist will fit you with your first set of aligners.
- Switching sets: After a week or 2, you’ll switch to the next set of aligners, which will apply a slightly different amount of pressure to continue reshaping your teeth.
- Follow-up visits: You will need to return for occasional visits so your dentist can monitor your progress.
Tips for Your Invisalign Progress
Like other orthodontic treatments, a lot of the progress will depend on your lifestyle and habits. To make the most of your Invisalign treatment, it can help to:
- Always wear your aligners: Aim for 22 hours daily to keep continuous pressure on your teeth and encourage them to adjust to the desired position.
- Practice excellent oral hygiene: Brush your teeth 2 times a day and floss regularly.
- Clean your aligners often: This helps keep them free from bacteria and helps prevent discolouration.
- Maintain follow-up appointments: Follow up with your dentist so they can monitor your progress.
- Be patient: Orthodontic treatments can take some time to achieve results, so do not be concerned if you don’t notice immediate results!
Contact your dentist if you have any questions or concerns about your Invisalign progress. They can examine your teeth to determine whether or not your Invisalign is going as planned.
Is Invisalign Right for You?
If you’re considering Invisalign to treat an overbite or any other cosmetic dental issue, contact us at Markham Dental Smiles. In a consultation appointment with our team, we can work closely with you to help you achieve your desired smile. Book an appointment with us, and take the first step towards a straight and wide smile!
