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For years, braces have been the go-to solution for patients with crooked teeth who want a straight smile. Sadly, traditional braces have some downsides, like the discomfort the metal brackets cause to your gums and other soft tissue or the dietary restrictions they impose. If you want to avoid that, clear aligners in Sioux City are the solution.  

Although they have some limitations, you can completely transform your smile with clear aligners. So, what exactly can Invisalign® fix? Let's get into it!

5 Issues You Can Solve with Clear Aligners

1. Overbites

An overbite is a condition in which the upper and lower teeth overlap, which can cause problems like jaw pain and dysfunction. Although an overbite correction is a more comprehensive treatment, Invisalign can usually fix it.

2017 research shows that Invisalign can effectively treat mild to moderate overbites. To achieve this, your orthodontist will modify your trays by gradually applying more force to your teeth. Your teeth will gradually realign and straighten as pressure builds up, fixing your bite.

However, each person's Invisalign overbite correction may take a different amount of time and trays.

2. Underbites

An underbite occurs when the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth—the opposite of an overbite. This condition makes it hard to chew and speak clearly, and it might cause your teeth to wear down more quickly. To avoid that, you can get clear aligners.

Invisalign can fix some underbites, but only in mild to moderate cases. It has also been able to correct mild skeletal cases. Severe underbites might require traditional braces or Invisalign treatments combined with surgery.

3. Crossbites

When the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth, it is called a crossbite. This condition, which is often genetically passed, can affect both sides of the mouth or just one side, leading to severe discomfort.

Invisalign has proven to be a highly effective orthodontic treatment for most crossbites, and, in many cases, it can even fix them better than traditional braces do.

4. Crooked Teeth

Clear aligners are a simple solution to address overcrowding in your upper and lower teeth or misaligned teeth that need to be straightened. Even if your crowding is subtle, a short treatment may be advised to prevent your teeth from shifting further and affecting your smile.

Treatment with Invisalign for crowded front teeth can be completed fairly quickly. The Invisalign Express system, for instance, is intended for mild alignment issues and takes 6 to 8 months to complete.

Treatment with invisible braces for more moderate cases of overcrowding may take up to 18 months. Still, they are short and more comfortable, which makes them an attractive option.

5. Gaps Between Teeth

In the last few years, gaps between teeth have become more acceptable, especially between your two front upper incisors. However, this doesn’t mean they’re the best for your oral health.

Sometimes, diastema, commonly known as tooth gaps, can let food particles in, which raises the risk of cavities and gum disease. Fortunately, tooth gaps are a relatively minor dental problem that usually affects a small number of teeth, so closing them quickly with Invisalign can be possible.

Learn More about Clear Aligners in Sioux City

Custom-fitted dental trays made of plastic are part of the clear aligner treatment. Every aligner is made to move teeth very slowly—by a mere millimeter or so. Depending on your circumstances, you must wear each tray for one to two weeks before moving on to the next aligner.

It’s worth noting that some cases, particularly severe ones, cannot be solved with Invisalign. To determine whether or not they could be an option for you, reach out to Wheelock and Associates Dentistry!

*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.