More and more people are thinking about getting Invisalign nowadays – and for good reason. Not only are they almost unnoticeable, but they’re also more comfortable and require fewer dental visits compared to traditional braces.
However as popular as Invisalign is – it does have limitations and its effectiveness may not be as good as traditional braces in some situations:
- Severe overbite
Although Invisalign can correct a regular overbite, if it is too severe it may not be able to do so. It is best to consult your dentist to determine whether your overbite is too severe or not.
- Short, round, or pegged teeth
The shape of some teeth may not be able to fit inside aligners. If your teeth are short, round, pegged or have severe tips then the aligner may not be able to grip them effectively.
- Rotated or tilted teeth
When teeth are crowded they tend to tilt or rotate to fit – which can be a problem for Invisalign if the degree is too high. That is especially true for molars.
- Large gaps
While Invisalign can correct some gaps, it will struggle when the gaps are too large. Generally you should only expect it to correct gaps that are 6mm or lower.
- Intrusion or extrusion
Lowering or raising teeth can be challenging with Invisalign. It can correct some relative cases as well as others with the use of attachments, but the overall movement it can achieve is limited.
- Dental work
If you’ve had previous dental work such as a dental bridge, you may not be able to use Invisalign at all. Similarly porcelain veneers or crowns may affect it too as attachments won’t be able to bond with their surface.
- Age
Despite rumors to the contrary, age isn’t that big of a limitation with Invisalign – and it can work for teenagers and older adults. The only requirement is that all baby teeth have been extracted or emerged.
- Cavities or periodontal issues
Before starting Invisalign your teeth and gums need to be healthy. If there are signs of tooth decay or gum disease they need to be addressed prior to getting Invisalign. Additionally because there is an increased risk of tooth decay and gum disease while wearing aligners, it is important extra care is taken while wearing aligners.
To sum it up, Invisalign does have limitations – but only for specific cases. It is best to consult your dentist about Invisalign treatment in Birmingham to determine whether or not it will be effective given your specific dental circumstances.
It should be noted that aside from these limitations, the one other main limitation of Invisalign is that it must be worn at least 22 hours per day. If you get into the habit of taking out the aligners or not wearing them frequently enough then Invisalign simply won’t be effective.
In short, you need to commit to the fact that you’re using Invisalign and follow your dentist’s instructions to the letter. If you do, the aligners will be able to correct your teeth more quickly and reliably.
