TLC Dental

4 Signs You May Need Invisalign

If you’re searching for a way to straighten your teeth, chances are, you’ve heard of Invisalign. These clear and removable alternatives to braces have become a popular option for aligning teeth – they’re comfortable, almost invisible, and highly accurate! However, just like every dental solution out there, your compatibility with the treatment depends greatly on what your needs are. Should you relate to any of these conditions, you might just need your own custom Invisalign set!

1. Your Teeth Are Crooked (Crooked and Crowded Teeth)

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crowded teeth 
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signs

What are crooked and crowded teeth?

Crooked Teeth are teeth that twist out of their ideal teeth positions. This can be caused by having a smaller jaw size, poor habits such as thumb sucking, a misaligned jaw, genetics, and more.

Crowded Teeth, on the other hand, can happen when there is not enough space in your jaw which in turn make your teeth overlap each other, shift, or turn as they compete for room. Crowded teeth can be formed by thumb sucking, allergies, tongue thrusting, and more.

Can crooked or crowded teeth cause dental issues?

Having crooked or crowded teeth is not always cause for concern. However, these conditions can have a large impact on your life if not cared for properly. Such conditions include:

  • Bad breath due to trapped food particles.
  • Speech impediments or difficulty pronouncing certain words.
  • Chewing difficulties, especially if your teeth do not have proper contact with each other.
  • Tooth wear and breakage when overcrowded teeth come into contact with each other at odd angles during the chewing process.

How does Invisalign help crooked or crowded teeth?

Invisalign aligners are custom-made using 3D computer imaging technology, which allows them to fit snugly around each tooth and move them into proper alignment over time. For complex cases, Invisalign uses small, tooth-colored attachments called SmartForce attachments. These attachments work like handles, giving your clear aligners something to gently push on to help your orthodontist apply extra, gentle force to areas where your aligners need assistance.

2. Your Jaws Don’t Align (Overbite or Underbite)

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underbite
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What is an overbite or underbite?

Overbite: Overbites occur when your upper front teeth protrude in front of your lower front teeth more than normal. This can often be due to genetics, teeth grinding, or missing lower teeth.

Underbite: Underbites occur when your lower front teeth protrude in front of your upper front teeth. This can be caused by genetics, thumb-sucking, facial trauma, or even tumors.

Can overbites and underbites cause health issues?

When left untreated, both dental conditions may result in health issues:

  • Untreated open bites may cause a lisp, result in improper chewing, or create worn-down back teeth that can lead to discomfort.
  • Untreated crossbites may cause teeth grinding, headaches, muscle tension, and irregular enamel wear.

How does Invisalign help overbites and underbites?

In order to treat bite conditions, Invisalign uses small, discreet elastic bands that connect the upper and lower aligners. These bands create a pulling force, which helps to gradually shift the upper and lower jaws into better alignment over time. The elastics will be arranged in different patterns by your orthodontist, depending on the specific type of bite condition you need treated.

3. Your Top and Bottom Teeth Don’t Meet Properly (Crossbite or Open Bite)

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What is a crossbite or open bite?

Crossbites are a form of malocclusion, where your tooth (or teeth) has a more buccal or lingual position (closer to the cheek or tongue) than its corresponding antagonist tooth in the upper or lower dental arch. 

This lateral misalignment of the dental arches can be caused by jaw size differences, genetics, or environmental factors like thumb-sucking and mouth breathing.

There are 2 types of crossbites:

  • Posterior crossbite: When your lower back teeth grow more towards the cheek than your top teeth.
  • Anterior crossbite: When your lower front teeth fit over the upper front teeth.

Open Bites often refer to an anterior open bite, where the front upper and lower teeth slant outward and do not touch when the mouth is closed. They can often be caused by thumb-sucking, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) issues, or mouth breathing.

Can crossbites and open bites cause health issues?

Crossbites can cause teeth, jaw, neck, and shoulder pain, frequent headaches, sleep apnea, and even tooth decay.

Open bites may lead to speech issues like lisps, improper chewing, and tooth wear, which can result in discomfort from worn-down back teeth, fractured teeth, and more.

How does Invisalign help crossbites and open bites?

Due to the varying nature of each condition, Invisalign targets each type of crossbite and open bites differently.

For anterior crossbites, Invisalign gradually moves your top teeth outward and/or the bottom teeth inward, depending on your needs. The aligners do this by exerting gentle, controlled forces to rectify the misalignment. Depending on the severity, Invisalign’s elastics might be combined with Invisalign’s aligners to achieve desired results.

When it comes to posterior crossbites, however, Invisalign either expands your upper arch or brings your affected upper teeth outward (or a combination of both). This helps to achieve a fit where your upper teeth sit outside of your lower teeth. Depending on the extent of the misalignment, expanders might be recommended alongside Invisalign.

This differs for open bites, where Invisalign uses SmartForce attachments to apply gentle, controlled forces to shift your teeth into proper alignment. For mild to moderate open bites, Invisalign gradually moves your upper teeth backward, and your lower teeth forward, aligning them correctly over time.  

4. You Want a Discreet Teeth Alignment Solution (Invisible Aligners)

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The last sign? You’re concerned about appearance during treatment! That’s why invisible aligners like Invisalign are around to provide a discreet way to improve your smile. Since they’re nearly invisible, Invisalign allows you to feel more confident throughout the alignment process.

Other orthodontic options

Besides Invisalign, there are other options like aesthetic braces, which may also provide a discreet solution. It’s important to explore these options with your orthodontist to find the best match for your needs.

Discover TLC Dental Centre’s teeth alignment treatments here.

Start Your Journey To A New Smile

If any of these conditions resonate with your dental needs, consider consulting with your orthodontist about Invisalign. The suitability of every dental treatment is dependent on your needs; no two cases are alike, and your orthodontist may recommend other aligners if they are better suited for your dental health. This treatment has proven effective for a wide range of alignment and bite issues, and you may achieve your desired smile within a year!

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