Posted on October 11, 2023
Millions of Canadians have or have had braces at some point in their lives, and there is a growing trend for adults to get braces. Most adults, though, would prefer a more discreet orthodontic treatment and avoid metal braces that might impact their self-image or professional appearance. If possible, they would prefer Invisalign – or invisible braces.
In this article, we will discuss what Invisalign braces are and the factors that might make you a good candidate for them.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a method of straightening your teeth that uses a series of clear (invisible) aligners or trays that, over time, will shift the position of your teeth. After going through a series of trays, you can see a dramatic improvement in the positioning of your teeth and have the smile you've always wanted.
So how do you know if you are a good candidate for Invisalign? Here are a few factors to consider:
1. You have a straightforward case.
Invisalign can work for fixing most cases of crooked teeth. Patients with gaps, crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, and crossbites have successfully been treated with this method. But it doesn't work for everyone.
The first step is to have your dentist or orthodontist assess your teeth to determine if your case is one that can be resolved with Invisalign. If your case is more complex, it may require traditional braces or even dental surgery.
2. You are disciplined and committed to the process.
One of the advantages of Invisalign is that they are removable, which means you don't have to avoid your favourite foods, and you can easily clean your teeth. But because you can take them out, it also means that you have to be disciplined to wear them all the time when not eating or brushing your teeth.
3. All of your adult teeth have grown in.
In some cases, teens or adults may still have one or more baby teeth lingering around. If you have not had all of your adult teeth come in, it is difficult to treat your teeth cosmetically and more orthodontic work may be necessary before you can be treated with Invisalign.
4. You've got good oral hygiene.
A good oral hygiene regime is a must for anyone who is going to use Invisalign braces. Not only must you regularly brush and floss your teeth, but you also need to take good care of the trays and clean them at regular intervals to avoid bacteria build-up and possible infection.
Before a dentist or orthodontist will consider you for Invisalign, you must have a healthy mouth.
5. You don't smoke.
As you will need to wear your Invisalign trays for most of the day, you can't smoke or use tobacco. Smoking will not only make the trays dirty, but it can also interfere with the trays themselves, and if you are constantly removing the trays so you can smoke, the overall treatment will be less effective.
If you currently smoke and want to use Invisalign to straighten your teeth, now might be a great time to quit.
6. You are old enough.
While there is no upper age limit to have your teeth straightened with Invisalign, this treatment is not recommended for children and younger teens (even if they have all of their adult teeth). In part, this is because they are removable and therefore require more discipline than traditional braces.
Contact Creekview Dental today
If you meet the above criteria, then there is a very good chance that you can benefit from Invisalign braces. Contact Creekview Dental today to have your case assessed by one of our dentists. We offer everyone a patient-centered consultation and a personalized budget (payment plan) to meet everyone's needs.