Am I a Candidate for Invisalign Braces?

Straighten teeth in as little as 12 to 18 months with Invisalign®. As the name suggests, Invisalign is a series of nearly invisible aligners we use to straighten teeth little by little over several months.

If you don’t like the look of metal braces, ask our Invisalign dentist if you’re a candidate for clear aligner treatment. Invisalign braces can help you change your smile and your life.

To learn if you’re a candidate for Invisalign, ask yourself the following questions:

Am I Willing to Wear Aligners 20 to 22 Hours a Day?

Patient compliance is of the utmost importance during Invisalign treatment. After all, Invisalign only works as long as you wear your clear aligners. Otherwise, your teeth will take longer to move into their final positions. Invisalign braces work best for patients who wear their aligners 20 to 22 hours a day, as instructed by our dentist.

Most adults are motivated to straighten teeth because they know what it’s like to feel self-conscious while smiling. Teenagers also know what it feels like to cover their smiles in group pictures or be teased in school. If you’ve ever felt self-conscious of your smile, you owe it to yourself to schedule an appointment with our Invisalign dentist.

Unlike children, adults are usually paying for their own orthodontic treatment. This makes our adult patients financially motivated to complete Invisalign treatment. You don’t want to spend money on teeth straightening only to not wear your aligners every day. During treatment, you will have to wear clear aligners over your teeth and only remove them for eating and brushing your teeth.

It’s important that you brush your teeth after eating before wearing your aligners again. Otherwise, you’ll stain the clear plastic. To learn more, check out our blog post on how to care for Invisalign clear aligners.

Do I Have All My Permanent Adult Teeth?

Our dentist recommends Invisalign for teenagers and adults because they’ve stopped growing. If your child needs orthodontic treatment, we may refer them to an orthodontist. Children can get all their permanent teeth as early as 12 years old. However, it’ll be up to you as the parent to determine whether your child is responsible enough to wear their clear aligners 20 to 22 hours a day.

Would I Feel Self-Conscious About Metal Braces?

Wish you could straighten teeth without traditional metal braces? If you don’t want metal wires and brackets on your teeth, ask our dentist if you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

Invisalign clear aligners are made from smooth, thin plastic that won’t irritate your cheeks and gums. Many of our patients also appreciate that Invisalign braces are subtle enough to go unnoticed by friends, family, and co-workers.

Is My Oral Health Affected by Crooked Teeth or a Misaligned Bite?

Crooked teeth affect more than just your appearance, they also affect your oral health. Plaque loves to hide between crooked, crowded teeth. If you’re prone to getting cavities, you may want to ask our dentist if Invisalign braces would help. Once we’re able to fix crooked or crowded teeth, you’ll have enough space to brush and floss properly.

Learn More: 5 Tips for Healthy Teeth and Gums >>

Do I Have Issues with Bite Alignment?

While Invisalign braces can correct minor issues with bite, we may not recommend it if your jaw needs serious realignment. In this scenario, we would refer you to an orthodontist. Orthodontists are able to use other types of appliances (like headgear) to move your jaw into a proper position. Not fixing the bite alignment could cause your enamel to wear unevenly or even create jaw pain.

If your case is complex, you may need metal braces during the first part of your treatment before switching over to Invisalign clear aligners. That way, the metal braces handle the complex movements of your teeth and jaw. Many patients find this ideal compared to wearing traditional metal braces during their entire treatment period. Each patient is different, which is why it’s important you request an appointment with our Invisalign dentist.

It’s worth noting that Invisalign technology has changed over the years since it was first introduced in the 1990s. Today, we’re able to use SmartForce® attachments with clear aligners to move your teeth. SmartForce attachments are small, tooth-colored bumps we attach to your teeth to push against your aligners. While not every patient needs these attachments, they are available to those with complex cases.

Call Renew Family Dental Today!

Do you still have questions about Invisalign braces? Dr. Alexandra Dodds can help you determine if Invisalign is the best way to correct your smile. To request an appointment with our Grand Rapids Invisalign dentist, call Renew Family Dental at (616) 245-3205.

This blog post has been updated.