Can Anyone Be Approved for Invisalign® Invisible Braces?

Invisible braces like Invisalign® might be your best option if you are looking for a discreet way to straighten your smile. These oral appliances are virtually impossible for others to detect when you have them on, and dealing with them on a daily basis can be easier than dealing with traditional metal braces.

Conventional metal braces have been the standard way to straighten teeth for over a century, but these devices are impossible to miss when a person has them on. Some people end up being teased or bullied because they have metal braces. As a result, many put off getting their teeth straightened until invisible braces became a thing.

Figuring out if Invisible braces like Invisalign® are right for you

Invisalign® clear aligners provide a variety of benefits like being hard to detect and how comfortable they are. However, some patients who need teeth straightening treatments are better off with metal braces or another oral appliance.

Here are a few reasons that a dentist might recommend an alternative to invisible braces:

1. The alignment issue is caused by bad jaw positioning

Orthodontic issues like overbites and crossbites can be caused by a person's jaw being in a bad position. Clear aligners like Invisalign® are most effective when the person's teeth alignment problem is being caused by poorly aligned teeth. Patients with orthodontic problems caused by their jaw might have to get traditional metal braces.

2. The patient is not disciplined

Metal braces are often the better option when a patient lacks the discipline required to keep up with Invisalign®. The way the process of treatment with invisible braces works is this: The patient gets a number of trays at the start of their treatment. They wear each set of aligners for two weeks before switching them out with another that moves the patient's teeth a little closer to the desired position.

These aligner trays have to be worn for 20 to 22 hours each day for the treatment to be effective. People who are not particularly disciplined or young children might have a hard time wearing their trays as instructed. They are also more likely to lose their aligner trays. Since metal braces and ceramic braces are fixed in place, they may be a better option for those on the forgetful side.

3. Metal braces can be more effective

While Invisalign® braces often provide more precise and effective treatments, leading to shorter treatment times, severe teeth alignment problems sometimes require the use of metal braces. The dentist will make a recommendation based on the results of the patient's evaluation. For example, the dentist might recommend metal braces if a patient has a severe overbite.

Get your smile straightened

Treatment with Invisalign® means you get to go on with life like you normally do for the most part. You are free to enjoy all your favorite meals, no one notices that you have an oral appliance in your mouth and your clear aligners will not get in the way of oral hygiene. Call or visit our Alexandria clinic to set up an appointment with our dentist.

Request an appointment here: https://alexoldtowndental.com or call Alexandria Old Town Dental at (703) 763-1078 for an appointment in our Alexandria office.

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