Are My Teeth Too Crooked To Get Clear Aligners?
Many people who would like clear aligners such as Invisalign or Spark to fix their smile and crowed teeth often ask “are my teeth too crooked to get clear aligners?”. Well, it might surprise you to learn that pretty much everything we can fix or do to straighten your teeth with traditional braces can be done with clear aligners.
Dr Rachel Hall Kenmore Dentist explains how aligners like Invisalign work, what they can and can’t correct and how Evolve Dental can help you have beautiful straight teeth and improve your bite.
How Do Clear Aligners Work?
Aligners are a great way to straighten teeth without having braces. They have to be worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day and work by incrementally pushing on the teeth to move and turn them into the desired position.
Clear aligners and Invisalign are the same things – Invisalign is a brand name that many people are familiar with.
Spark Clear Aligners which we exclusively use at Evolve Dentist Kenmore are made of BPA-free plastic that is worn over the top of your teeth. They straighten the teeth with gradual changes in pressure as they move the teeth into place.
Only orthodontists and accredited dentists with extensive additional orthodontic training are approved to use Spark Clear Aligners.
What Can Clear Aligners Fix?
Crooked Teeth – misaligned, rotated and angled teeth can be leveled and straightened with aligner orthodontics.
Underbite – where the bottom teeth are in front of your top teeth, causing them to wear quickly. Clear aligners gently realign your lower teeth and move them back so that they naturally sit behind the front ones. In extreme cases you may need a combination of braces and clear aligners for treatment to work correctly.
Overbite – a common condition wherein the top teeth overlap with your bottom teeth.
Gaps in Teeth – can look unappealing. When there is space between the pearly whites, food gets stuck, leading to risk of cavities or gum disease. These gaps can be closed using Spark or Invisalign.
Crossbite – where the lower teeth are in front or outside some of the top teeth, and it can be either a back or frontal crossbite, depending on which ones are involved. A jaw may compensate for this issue by moving one side with possible permanent changes that could occur, such as facial structure and alignment, if not treated early enough. Crossbites also lead to gum problems, uneven tooth wear, tooth fracture and TMJ issues due to more pressure being placed on those areas.
Open Bite – where the top row of teeth does not touch the bottom row perfectly when the teeth close together. It often leads to uneven wear on teeth and difficulty biting into food properly, making chewing even more challenging than it already is.
Crowded Teeth – when your jaw isn’t big enough to fit all of your teeth, they can overlap and twist awkwardly. It is known as crowding. In this case, it can lead to tooth decay, and gum disease as bacteria and food get trapped between teeth that are too close together. Aligners create space between teeth so they can be moved and realigned to correct crowding.
What Can’t Aligners Fix?
- Teeth shape – If you have short, round and peg-shaped teeth the aligner may not be able to get a good grip on your teeth. It means it isn’t very effective at moving your teeth into position. But with attachments that can be bonded to your teeth this can be overcome.
- Teeth position – When a mouth is overcrowded, it’s not uncommon for teeth to shift into an alternate position. If the rotation is too extreme then clear aligners may not be able to move them in the right direction.
- Previous dental work – dental bridges, implants or porcelain veneers, or crowns may make it difficult to move teeth or use attachments because they cannot bond to that surface.
Teeth Straightening With Clear Aligners Dentist Kenmore
Clear aligners are an excellent option for nearly all orthodontic and teeth crowding issues.
If you’re considering clear aligners to correct your smile and teeth alignment contact our team of experts at Evolve Dental Kenmore Dentist at 07 3720 1811.
We want to be the best partner in helping you achieve and maintain a healthy and beautiful smile. If you have any questions, please contact us today.
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Dr. Rachel Hall
Rachel is the founder and principal dentist at Evolve Dental Healing with over 30 years experience, practising holistically since 2001. Not your typical dentist, Rachel is a passionate opinion leader, challenging convention to empower people to make better dental and health choices, helping thousands to have healthy natural smiles. A respected writer and presenter on holistic dentistry, health and wellness it is Rachel’s mission to revolutionise the way people look at their dental health.
