Reasons to Get Invisalign (Besides Straighter Teeth)
Many people are already aware of Invisalign as a convenient, discreet way to straighten teeth without traditional metal braces. But what if you and your dentist want to correct other issues besides crooked teeth? Fortunately, Invisalign can correct many other bite and alignment issues in addition to giving you a better smile.
Invisalign Corrects All Kinds of Misalignments
Misaligned teeth often result from genetics or thumb-sucking as a child. Invisalign’s system of removable clear aligners can fix the following types of misalignments:
- Overbite: When your upper front teeth close in front of your lower front teeth.
- Underbite: When your lower front teeth protrude past your upper front teeth.
- Crossbite: When your upper and lower teeth don’t line up. This may mean that your teeth do not appear centered or that some upper teeth close behind the lower teeth while others close in front.
- Gap teeth: You have extra spaces between your teeth.
- Open bite: Your top and bottom teeth don’t meet (usually in the front).
- Crowded teeth: When your jaw doesn’t have enough room for your teeth to fit normally. This may cause your teeth to look crooked.
While Invisalign can generally treat these concerns, it ultimately depends on the severity of the issues and which issues are combined. It also depends on the shape of your teeth and the height of your teeth in your jawbone.
Preventing Other Dental Issues
Not only can correcting these dental problems with Invisalign make you feel more confident about your appearance, but it can also prevent further issues.
Many types of misalignment can cause TMJ disorder (also known as TMD). This condition affects the temporomandibular joint, which connects your lower jaw to your skull. When left untreated, TMD leads to pain and discomfort around the jawbone, face, neck, and head. Fixing the root cause – misaligned teeth – can prevent or relieve TMJ pain.
Crossbite can make your teeth wear unevenly or your gums recede, which can require restorative surgery. And when your teeth are overcrowded, you’re more likely to get food stuck between your teeth. This leads to tartar and plaque build-up, which in turn contributes to tooth decay and gum disease. Getting Invisalign treatment sooner rather than later can prevent these problems.
Many patients also get Invisalign to correct bite problems that cause jaw pain or difficulty chewing, biting, and eating. Best of all, Invisalign treatment is usually faster than traditional orthodontics.
If you’re curious whether Invisalign can correct your misaligned teeth and prevent further problems, schedule a consultation with Tysons Dental Associates today.
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