Am I A Good Candidate For Invisalign?

Want the convenience, comfort, and discretion that Invisalign provides when realigning your teeth? Many people do! These clear aligners have revolutionized orthodontic treatment, offering a more flexible and aesthetically pleasing alternative to traditional braces. However, it's essential to understand that Invisalign isn't suitable for everyone.

Check out the four common things a St. Clair Shores dentist will look at to determine if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign:

1. Your Malocclusion Type and Severity

The Invisalign you can access today has never been more effective at improving a person’s smile. The clear aligners follow a precise plan based on a scan of your teeth, and attachments like buttons and elastics can help people with more difficult alignment problems get them.

However, that still doesn’t mean Invisalign can treat all cases of misalignment or unhealthy bites. Usually, Invisalign won’t be a good option for you if you have:

• Severe alignment issues: These cases usually need a lot more pressure to reposition the teeth, which only braces can provide;

• Skeletal bite issues: Some unhealthy bites are caused by the position of the teeth, while others come from the jawbone alignment. If yours is in the second category, you may need braces or even surgery to correct it. 

2. Your Age

Invisalign isn’t a good solution for kids and teens because their bones are still developing, so a dentist will likely recommend waiting a bit.

Moreover, Invisalign has some strict requirements that younger patients tend to overlook, leading to failed treatments.

3. Your Overall Oral Health 

If you’re currently dealing with other oral health issues like cavities or gum disease, you can still get Invisalign, but not yet.

Your dentist will recommend treatment for these problems first to make sure these conditions don’t interfere with your trays in any way. Depending on your specific situation, you may need to postpone Invisalign for a few weeks, maybe even longer.

4. Your Willingness to Commit to the Treatment

Invisalign is not the right solution for you if you cannot fully commit to your treatment. Failing to follow your dentist’s instructions can lead to several issues down the line, from a higher risk for dental damage to poor Invisalign results.

Some of the things you’ll need to commit to include:

• Wearing your trays every single day
• Wearing them for at least 22 hours a day
• Not drinking or eating anything with Invisalign on
• Cleaning your mouth after every meal
• Brushing your aligners once a day with a soft-bristled toothbrush and gentle, clear soap
• Never expose the aligners to heat.
• Always keep them in their case when you’re not wearing them, even for a quick snack, etc.

Find Out If Invisalign Is Right for You

If you’ve read this article and believe you meet all the criteria, let Dr. Carly Cassleman confirm it and set you on your way to getting your smile fixed through Invisalign!

You can schedule your visit to St. Clair Tooth Co. online or call (586) 404-4911 to learn more about Invisalign.