Invisalign is arguably the most recommended orthodontic treatment for overbites. Recent reports indicate that most cases of mild to moderate overbites can be successfully treated with Invisalign aligners.
An overbite occurs when your upper teeth overlap your lower teeth excessively – by more than 3mm. For cosmetic reasons or because it irritates their teeth, gums, or tongue, people may want to have an overbite corrected.
Invisalign can be used to correct overbites for adults, teenagers, and kids. These orthodontic appliances are custom-made specifically for each patient. They are the ideal choice for kids and adults of all ages because they are precisely laser-cut to suit your teeth.
Using Invisalign to treat an overbite takes a different amount of time for each patient. Your orthodontist could advise traditional braces if your overbite is severe. Though the duration of treatment depends on the individual case, a positive change can be seen after as little as six months of use.
An overbite is simpler to correct for a child or adolescent as compared to an adult. As we age, alignment problems may worsen and become more difficult to fix. Your overbite’s severity also affects the course and length of treatment.
For kids aged 12 and under, the overbite is adjusted using the patient’s natural growth process as a catalyst. To correctly direct your child’s developing jaw and tooth structure, Invisalign specialists employ specialized apparatus called “Invisalign Mandibular Advancement.” Conversely, they prefer to combine elastics with Invisalign for treating overbites in elderly individuals. These elastics resemble the ones that go with braces. They gradually advance the bottom teeth while repositioning the upper teeth to treat the overbite.
TO commence treatment for overbite, you need to schedule an appointment with your specialist to collect impressions and design your personal treatment plan, as discussed in the steps below.
How does Invisalign work for crowded teeth?
Most cases of crowded teeth can be successfully treated with Invisalign. Your teeth may become overcrowded when there is not enough space in the jaw for the teeth to align properly. People with this kind of malocclusion (misaligned teeth) have overlapping teeth as a result.
Although bad behaviors might contribute to crowded teeth, heredity is the main cause of them. Other possible causes of crowded teeth include:
- Excessive pacifier use or thumb-sucking past the age of 3 years
- Having a jaw that is too tiny for its set of teeth
- Early loss of a permanent tooth that causes other teeth to shift into its position
- Clefting one’s palate
- Incorrect orthodontic or dental care
- Decay that results in tooth loss or shifting
Multiple issues arise from having crowded teeth. They may look crooked, which affects one’s appearance and may cause them to feel embarrassed. In addition to lowering self-esteem, misaligned teeth make dental care more difficult. Food particles are more difficult to remove when stuck between crooked teeth. As a result, the risk for tooth decay is increases.
Fortunately, Invisalign can usually effectively correct crowded teeth. The specialist only needs to take impressions of your teeth to design a custom treatment plan as below.
How does Invisalign work for gaps?
Invisalign treatment can be used to fill in problematic tooth gaps by gradually adjusting the placement of the teeth. Based on the impressions of your teeth, Invisalign® aligners are custom-made to fit your mouth and fix problems like overbites, underbites, gaps, and crooked teeth. The aligner can be worn for as little as six months or as long as 18 months and is adjusted every few weeks to gradually change the position of your teeth. When using an aligner to close gaps in teeth, a dentist can estimate how long a patient will need to wear it.
Most cases of tooth gaps can be successfully adjusted with Invisalign®. Larger gaps, however, can take longer to close, necessitating up to two years of aligner-wear for the patient. For gaps located on the upper teeth, the provider may attach composite to several of the affected areas places to ensure that they move correctly after the aligner starts to work. Since every tooth gap is unique, a dental team will have to conduct an oral examination and take x-rays before determining whether employing a clear aligner is the best solution for fixing the problem.
While adopting the Invisalign® system can help restore and enhance smiles, it can also lessen the risk of gum disease brought on by tooth gaps. Food particles might get stuck in spaces between teeth when there are gaps, causing gum inflammation and swelling. Gingivitis can progress over time and cause an infection, bleeding, and pain. Gum disease can be avoided by using the aligner to close gaps and by brushing and flossing on a regular basis.
Steps to creating and using Invisalign aligners
Step 1: Visit your dentist
The treatment starts by taking impressions of your teeth, bite registrations, x-rays, and photographs. These materials, together with the recommended treatment plan, are sent to the laboratory.
Step 2: Fabricating the aligners
The lab creates precisely customized aligners using 3D computer imaging technology and the personal information gathered, to give you a personalized series of aligners.
Step 3: Moving teeth
Each set should be worn for about two weeks, but you need to remove them when eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing.
Step 4: Changing aligner trays
After every two weeks, you will be required to replace the aligner with the next one in the series. This will cause your teeth to shift their position, a little at a time, until they’re fully straightened as desired. But even with fortnightly changes, you should visit your dentist every 6 weeks so they can make sure that your treatment is progressing as intended.
Step 5: Tracking progress
The orthodontic treatment typically takes between 9 and 15 months to completion, during which time you will have used 18 to 30 aligners. The time taken for each Invisalign procedure will vary according to your dental situation.
Looking for a certified Invisalign Provider?
Invisalign is a great option to get those beautiful straight teeth you always wanted – without having to wear braces. A consultation with a skilled specialist can help determine if Invisalign is the right treatment for you.
