Most of the time, patients get Invisalign to straighten their smiles. After all, its aligners’ ability to treat crooked teeth is heavily advertised. However, did you know that Invisalign can also fix your bite? Indeed, its clear plastic trays address overbites and other bite misalignments. If you’d like to learn more, your Cleburne orthodontist is here to explain. Read on to learn how Invisalign treats bite problems and the benefits that come from it doing so.
What Bite Problems Can Invisalign Fix?
Since Invisalign moves your teeth with trays, it can fix bite problems related to your pearly whites’ positioning.
For example, take dental spacing and crowding. These issues only require minor tooth adjustments, so aligners fix them quickly and effectively.
On the other hand, treatment can also address more severe bite problems like overbites. That said, it’ll take a different approach than so-called “slam dunk” cases.
How Does Invisalign Correct Overbites?
How Invisalign corrects an overbite will vary based on the situation. In particular, it’ll depend on key factors like a patient’s age, overbite severity, and how well treatment is handled.
Consider procedures by age group, for instance.
Young Patients
When patients are twelve or younger, Invisalign can treat an overbite by redirecting how the teeth grow. It does so with an appliance called Invisalign Mandibular Advancement.
Using plastic wings on the aligners, the above tool helps a child shift their lower jaw forward. As this process takes place in small, consistent increments, it both straightens the teeth and aligns the jaws.
Teenage or Adult Patients
Once a patient is thirteen years old or older, mandibular advancement tools can’t correct overbites. Their teeth will have stopped growing by this point, meaning the method wouldn’t work.
However, a different approach involving elastics is still possible. Namely, patients could wear elastic bands with their aligners to correct an overbite. Similar to those worn with braces, these bands would move the bottom teeth forward while also moving the top teeth back.
Benefits of Treating Your Bite with Invisalign
Compared to traditional metal braces, fixing your bite with Invisalign has several advantages. These perks include:
- A subtle treatment process: Since aligners rely on clear plastic rather than brackets and wires, hardly anyone will notice you wearing them.
- No diet restrictions: Invisalign trays are designed to be taken off for meals. As such, they won’t get in the way when you’re eating your favorite foods.
- Easy monitoring: It’s easier to see teeth beneath aligners than braces, so Invisalign makes for a more tailored treatment experience.
Ultimately, you can count on Invisalign to fix all sorts of bite problems. For that reason, talk to your local practice about treatment options in the coming days.
About the Practice
Hart Orthodontics is based in Cleburne, TX. As led by Dr. James A. Hart, the practice provides young and old patients with great orthodontic treatments. Its services include traditional braces, dental retainers, clear aligners, and even orthognathic surgery. The staff can also treat orthodontic emergencies as needed. Whatever the procedure, you can count on the Hart team to deliver quality results. For more information or to book an appointment, you can reach them at their website or by phone at (817)-645-2432.