Can Anybody Get Invisalign?
Jan 09, 2024
Teeth are an important part of the first step in our digestive process, and they begin formation before we’re even born. In a process called odontogenesis, primary teeth occur in stages as early as eight weeks in utero and continue until they start to erupt from gums at about six months of age. Permanent teeth develop later, at about 20 weeks, and replace the primary teeth which fall out over time. As they develop, the risks of problems with misaligned teeth or malocclusions can present themselves, affecting speaking and eating.
Dental braces and aligners often deal with malocclusions, and Invisalign® is a popular choice to help get teeth into place over time. But is it a solution that works for everyone? Let’s find out by exploring what malocclusions can do to teeth, how Invisalign helps, and who can enjoy the advantages of this treatment.
If you live in the Sacramento, California area and you’re dealing with misaligned teeth or other dental problems, Dr. Peter Kim and his dedicated team at Sierra Oaks Dental can help.
This condition can result from several factors as your teeth develop, including atypically shaped teeth, impacted teeth, cleft lip or palate, and early childhood habits (thumbsucking, frequent pacifier use over three, prolonged bottle use). Injuries can also lead to teeth misalignment, airway obstructions, mouth or jaw tumors, and improperly fitting dental work. These issues can lead to different malocclusions, such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, and crowded teeth, which can affect how well you speak or chew food.
Invisalign is a type of clear aligner that works very similar to traditional braces but without having to be affixed to teeth for lengthy periods of time. These aligners are customized to your mouth using a transparent thermoplastic material that fits over teeth to help them align over time. Your teeth are scanned digitally to help create molds for the aligners you’ll be wearing, which will be changed out periodically as teeth begin to fit more into proper alignment. The entire process can take up to 18 months, and retainers may be necessary to wear afterward to keep teeth aligned once Invisalign has performed its task.
Whether or not you’re a good candidate for this treatment depends on the severity of your malocclusion. Invisalign can treat many different types of alignment problems with teeth, but the more complex they are (the more difficult the way the teeth have to be moved during treatment) the less effective an option it is likely to be.
We can help you determine if Invisalign or other methods are the best fit for your needs, so regardless of the complexity of your malocclusions, we’re here to help. Make an appointment with Dr. Kim and Sierra Oaks Dental today to see how we can help your teeth.