Am I a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

There are many reasons that someone might consider straightening their teeth. Straight teeth and a smile that is aligned are key components of overall oral health. In many cases, patients put this off because they do not want to undergo the challenges that come with traditional braces. This tends to be especially true for patients that are past the adolescence age.

The good news is that Invisalign has restructured the orthodontist industry. Patients that struggle with crooked teeth are now able to align their smiles without having to change their lifestyles. Unlike traditional braces, Invisaligns can be removed to eat, drink, and brush the teeth. This means that no dietary changes need to be adopted during the course of the treatment.

Invisalign aligners are also more aesthetically appealing than traditional braces. They are transparent in color and can easily go unnoticed by others. This makes the aligners more enticing than its traditional counterparts.

If you have found your way here, you probably already knew the above information. You might actually be at the point of asking yourself one of the most common questions our patients ask us: “Am I a good candidate for Invisalign?” In order for us to properly answer that question, we would have to examine your smile and unique situation. However, we have found from experience that the below characteristics tend to make a patient a good candidate for Invisalign.

 

 

 

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign can be taken off. The goal is that the patient undergoing the treatment wears the braces for roughly 22 hours each day. Yes, this time frame accounts for the removal of the aligners during meals and brushing/ flossing.

The only way Invisaligns work is if they are worn. There is no other way around it. This means that the patient needs to be responsible and committed to taking the braces out during meals, keeping them clean, and putting them back on.

 

 

 

 

Metal braces can require a lot of appointments. Besides from the regularly scheduled appointments, metal braces wearers often see themselves visiting the dental office for emergency appointments. It is not uncommon for brackets to get loose and wires to get out of place.

These emergency visits are a no-go with Invisalign. This makes Invisalign the go to option for patients that have a lack of time for unplanned appointments.

 

 

Invisaligns require good care when they are out of the mouth. They need to be properly cleaned before they are put back on. This is a more seemingless task for patients that already practice good oral hygiene. It is easier to incorporate proper care for the aligners when you already have strong oral hygiene habits.

It is important to note that wearing Invisalign can increase the risk of infection when proper oral hygiene is not practiced. It is crucial to practice good brushing and flossing techniques when wearing the aligners. This will prevent infections from happening.

Invisaligns shift the teeth in the mouth to align the smile. Having healthy teeth and gums will make this process smoother. Our team will check your overall oral health prior to setting you up with aligners. Potential cavities and gum disease will either be ruled out or treated prior to moving forward with the aligners.

In order for braces of any type to properly work, all of the permanent teeth must be out already. This is a very important step seeing as it is almost impossible to predict how an adult tooth will position itself in the mouth. This is the reason why Invisaligns are almost exclusively worn by teens and adults.

The above are just a few points that might make you a good candidate for Invisalign. Our team will have to assess your specific situation and requirements before prompting you towards these aligners. If you are ready to align your smile, please contact our office. We would be delighted to help you achieve your goals.