Clear aligners are one of the most popular orthodontic options available today, especially among adults and teens who don’t want to wear braces. But before you can decide whether this treatment option is right for you, it’s important to find out if you’re an ideal candidate for Invisalign.
What makes someone an ideal Invisalign candidate? This guide will tell you everything you need to know about Invisalign candidacy and which types of patients are best served by this style of orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign For Adults
Invisalign was originally developed for adults who wanted straighter teeth. Adults of all ages can get Invisalign because there are no age cutoffs. That means whether you’re 25 or 55, you can still explore these clear, removable orthodontic aligners.
In fact, investing in Invisalign as an adult can help you boost your oral health. Straighter smiles are less prone to issues like TMJ disorder, cavities, and gum disease. Getting Invisalign as an adult can be a great way to improve your overall oral health.
Any adult who feels self-conscious about their smile’s alignment can consider Invisalign. Especially if you want to have a low-profile treatment that others won’t notice during your day-to-day activities.
Invisalign For Teens
Teens make great candidates for Invisalign in many cases. However, there are some things to keep in mind. Such as how well your teen will remember to follow their home care directions (such as keeping up with their trays, changing them out as directed, or not losing their aligners during school lunches.) We can talk with you about the pros and cons of Invisalign for teens, or recommend a fixed orthodontic system if there’s a better option out there.
Candidacy for Invisalign: Healthy Gums
It’s important that your gums are healthy before you start Invisalign treatment. If you have chronic gingivitis or active periodontal disease, be sure to talk with our Suffolk County dentist about your options. We may recommend a modified oral hygiene routine or in-house periodontal treatment before beginning your Invisalign therapy.
Invisalign can also be used as part of a comprehensive care plan to manage your periodontal health. Specifically, because crooked or misaligned teeth are more likely to harbor plaque bacteria around them, making them susceptible to recurring periodontal infections.
No Active Cavities
All active areas of tooth decay (cavities) will need to be treated before you get Invisalign. If you have a cavity in your tooth, Invisalign will trap the bacteria against your tooth enamel and allow the cavity to spread. And if you decide to have the cavity filled while you’re already undergoing Invisalign treatment, the filling could change the way your aligners fit.
It’s important to have your dental cavities repaired prior to starting Invisalign treatment. Both for the success of your orthodontic procedure as well as the overall health of your smile.
Recurring Gum Disease and Tooth Decay
Are you constantly struggling with problems like gum disease, gingivitis, and new cavities? Statistics show that improving the alignment of your teeth will reduce your chance of developing these conditions. Invisalign makes it easy to maintain your oral hygiene during the orthodontic process. Simply remove the trays and brush your teeth. Then, put them back in. The investment can make your smile easier to care for in the future, reducing your risk of continued oral health issues.
Updated Dental Work: Candidacy for Invisalign
Are you planning to update any dental restorations such as crowns, bridges, or get a dental implant? Our Suffolk County dentists will need to plan accordingly if you also want to get Invisalign. Especially since some tooth shapes will be changed, which can affect the fit of your Invisalign trays.
That being said, we may recommend Invisalign before dental implant treatment in some cases. Such as when the teeth on either side of your missing one have tilted toward one another, reducing the space needed to install a dental implant. Invisalign, like braces, can be used to create space to install a dental implant at a later point in time.
We might even recommend getting Invisalign before smile makeover treatments like dental veneers. This helps improve the overall symmetry of your smile but also ensures that your upper and lower teeth fit together properly, creating enough space for the veneers so that they don’t hit end-on-end or wear down prematurely.
Remembering to Wear Aligners Properly
Candidates for Invisalign will need to be able to remember when, where, and how long to wear their trays. For example, every Invisalign tray needs to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day for a successful treatment. If you think you might forget to wear them as prescribed, fixed braces may be a better solution.
It’s also crucial that you change your aligners out as directed to keep your treatment on schedule. Most people will need to move to their next pair of aligners every two weeks. If you or your teen tend to forget things easily or have a busy schedule where you’re always traveling, be sure to consider how this might affect your candidacy for following your Invisalign treatment plan.
Types of Tooth Alignment Treated by Invisalign
Invisalign is specifically made to help with tooth misalignment, but not all people have a “bite” that qualifies for Invisalign treatment in Long Island. For example, major jaw issues such as open bites or crossbites may be more difficult to correct in some cases. The important thing to do is meet with an experienced Invisalign dentist (Suffolk County) who is skilled in treating more complex orthodontic concerns. During your consultation, you can discuss whether or not your specific type of “malocclusion” qualifies for Invisalign treatment. Invisalign advancements make it possible to treat more complex issues than ever before!
Schedule a Consultation at Sachem Dental Group
Sachem Dental Group offers complete Invisalign treatment in Long Island. If you’re curious about the candidacy for Invisalign clear aligners, we encourage you to meet with our Suffolk County dentists to find out if Invisalign is right for you. Flexible payment options are available. Call us today to schedule.