You’ve always wanted straight, even teeth, but your genes gave you a mouth that could use a smile makeover. Orthodontia has come a long way in the past several years, and now you’d like to correct what nature didn’t provide.

Invisalign®️ is a system of clear aligners made of a patented plastic material. The Invisalign system has several advantages over traditional metal braces, but how do you find out if it can correct your alignment problems effectively? Here’s what you need to know.

What issues can Invisalign correct?

The Invisalign system can correct the following cosmetic and functional problems:

• Crowded teeth that are bunched together and may be crooked because they don’t have enough room between them
• Gaps between your teeth
• An overbite, in which your top teeth protrude further than your bottom teeth
• Some underbites, in which several of your bottom teeth stick out in front of your top row of teeth
• A crossbite, which occurs when some of your top teeth sit inside your bottom row of teeth
• An open bite, in which your upper and lower teeth don’t meet when you close your mouth

If any of these describe your situation, you are a likely candidate for Invisalign. When you visit Perfect Smiles Dentistry, Dr. Kavitha Gowda examines your teeth and can let you know if the clear aligner system is right for you.

What orthodontic problems require traditional braces?

Traditional braces can correct all of the issues listed above that Invisalign can treat. Severe cases of misalignment or other orthodontic issues usually require traditional metal braces — Invisalign may not work for you.

For example, if you have problems with teeth at the back of your mouth or need to rotate teeth, you may need traditional braces. If you have a severe underbite where your lower jaw juts forward and your bottom teeth protrude further than your top row of teeth, metal braces may be more appropriate; you may even need dental surgery to correct the jaw issue. Also, if some teeth are well out of their normal position, metal braces may be the best option.

Dr. Gowda can determine if your teeth require traditional braces or whether you’re a candidate for Invisalign.

What are the advantages of Invisalign?

Adults and teens like the Invisalign system because it’s almost invisible — you’re not wearing a mouth full of metal. In the working world, first impressions and your appearance make a difference in how you’re perceived. You may prefer the Invisalign system if your job involves sales, marketing, or another high-visibility occupation.

Another advantage: You can eat the foods you love with Invisalign because you take out the clear aligners when eating. Simply pop them out and put them in their convenient plastic case; after you’ve eaten and brushed your teeth, you put the aligners back in. Braces require you to be more careful about certain foods, sweets, and substances that can get stuck in the metal wires and brackets.

While using the Invisalign system, you clean your teeth as you normally would. Traditional braces require even more diligence than your normal oral hygiene routine, because it’s difficult to clear food that gets trapped in the metal parts. You may be more susceptible to tooth decay if you don’t maintain excellent dental hygiene while you’re wearing braces.

If you’re ready for a smile makeover, call the office or request an appointment online with Perfect Smiles Dentistry to get started. Why wait any longer to have the smile you’ve always wanted?