Does your awkward bite leave you feeling a little too much like a shark? Are you wanting to fix teeth that don’t rest correctly, but are worried about extensive dental work? Does the thought of metal braces give you the ick? If so, that’s completely understandable! Fortunately, Invisalign aligners can realign a maladjusted bite, all while fitting to your teeth with their famous subtle and comfortable style.
This declaration might prompt you to ask more questions – “is fixing my bite worth the trouble in the first place?” “I have a pretty strange alignment; what kind of bites can Invisalign correct?” “That all sounds promising, but how does it work?” These are valid concerns to think about. Keep reading to discover the answers!
Is Fixing My Misaligned Bite Worth It?
Setting up a dental appointment and proceeding with treatment can seem daunting. However, fixing alignment issues such as overbites and underbites is crucial for your oral health. Determining a solution will prove to be more convenient in the long run.
If you have a large overbite, your top front teeth are thrust farther forward, making them vulnerable victims in cases of oral injury. Underbites can create challenges while eating and speaking. When a crossbite is present, patients might shift their jaw to avoid discomfort or make eating certain foods easier, but this can result in changes to their facial structure. Open bites make biting into food difficult.
All of these common bite misalignments can also cause excessive or uneven wear on your teeth. Depending on the severity, certain positions might result in gum problems or even bone loss. Having your bite evaluated and corrected isn’t only good for renewing the appearance of your smile – it’s also good for your overall oral health.
What Kinds of Bites Can Invisalign Correct?
Invisalign can treat all four of the above uneven bite situations. Overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites will gradually shift into healthier positions thanks to your new aligners. While it should be noted that a small number of severe cases might have to be treated with traditional braces or other methods, it’s worth consulting with your dentist before completely dismissing your chances. Invisalign can adjust most bites!
How Does Invisalign Work?
When correcting bite alignment, Invisalign doesn’t operate too differently from traditional braces. Depending on each patient’s unique situation, a dentist might add subtle attachments so that elastics can help tug the jaw into place. The clear aligners themselves will be responsible for straightening out crooked teeth with some gentle but firm nudging.
These attachments and mention of elastic might seem to ruin the point of using Invisalign instead of more traditional brackets. However, an Invisalign adjustment won’t involve gluing a silvery square to every single tooth or stringing a wire through every piece. There’re no pokey bits, and since the alignment instruments are small and tooth-colored, your smile will still look nice and clear during your treatment.
Overall, with Invisalign, you can benefit from the confidence of a subtle, invisible look and the comfort of a sleek design. To save your oral health and correct your awkward bite without sacrificing aesthetics or convenience, talk to your dentist about Invisalign!
About the Practice
Drs. Dalton Hunt and Mark Helms practice at Dalton Hunt Dentistry in Raleigh. They would love to get to know you (and your unique bite) so they can provide the individualized treatment you need. To learn more or contact the office, visit their website or call 919-787-8243.