Am I a Candidate for Invisalign?

Some people are blessed with straight and beautiful teeth but unfortunately, this is not the case for everyone. Many people require some help and this is where teeth straightening treatment comes in. Braces have been around for decades. The sight of children with metal tracks in the mouth is not unusual. 


However, most adults are not comfortable with the idea of wearing traditional metal braces. Fortunately, Invisalign can offer the solution to fix crooked teeth. To find out if you are a candidate for Invisalign, let the following tips help you.

You Have Crooked Teeth

If your case is as straightforward as having crooked teeth, you are a candidate for Invisalign. The aligners can be used effectively to fix crooked teeth. People who have gaps, crowded teeth, overbites, underbites, open bites, and cross-bites can benefit from using Invisalign. 


However, the aligners are not for everyone. The dentist or orthodontist will need to assess your situation to determine if Invisalign is right for you.

You Need To Be Responsible

There is a good reason why Invisalign is recommended for adults or people over a certain age. For the aligners to be effective, you need to be committed to wearing them. The aligners are removable, which means that you can take them out any time you wish. 


For the treatment to be effective, you need to wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day. The treatment relies on your being responsible for wearing them as recommended. Failing to do so will stall the treatment.

You Have All Your Adult Teeth

Most dental specialists will not offer cosmetic dental work until all the adult teeth have come in. The fact is that you cannot predict how children’s permanent teeth will grow. Before you can use Invisalign, you need to make sure that you have all your adult teeth. 


The teeth erupt at different ages and some adults still have some of their baby teeth. In this case, the dentist may recommend further orthodontic procedures before you start the alignment process.

You Practice Good Oral Hygiene

To be a good candidate for Invisalign, you need to practice good oral hygiene. Before treatment, you need to have healthy teeth and gums. Regular brushing and flossing will help ensure that you do not have dental disease and other issues. 


You will also need to take good care of the trays to avoid causing infections and other dental issues. If you have existing oral problems, they will need to be treated before you get alignment.

You Should Not Smoke

Smokers do not make good candidates for Invisalign and other cosmetic dental procedures. Smoking can interfere with the aligners by making them dirty. Removing the Invisalign every time you need to smoke will mean taking them out too often. This can render the treatment ineffective as you fail to keep the aligners on for the recommended hours.


If you meet all the conditions, you are a good candidate for Invisalign. If you need teeth alignment, make an appointment with your dentist to discuss Invisalign. Your dentist will be able to assess your case and discuss any issues about your situation. Some complex cases require different dental procedures or traditional braces.

For more on Invisalign, visit Buckland Hills Dental at our office in Manchester, Connecticut. You can also call (860) 644-0099 to schedule an appointment.

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