Can Invisalign Work for Missing Teeth?
Posted by writeradmin
I have crooked teeth that have always bothered me. My parents were not able to get braces for me as a child, which has led to me being very uncomfortable about my smile. I’m thinking about getting Invisalign, but I have two congenitally missing bicuspids one on either side. One has been removed but I need to have the other removed as well. Could Invisalign work around missing teeth? Do I need to see an orthodontist or regular dentist? Will I need dental implants to replace the teeth?
Andi
Dear Andi,
I’m glad you wrote. Invisalign does work well around missing teeth. There can be other factors that will determine if you are a good candidate not just for Invisalign, but orthodontics in general, such as the health of your gums and the underlying bone. Orthodontists tend to be a bit more conservative when it comes to using Invisalign because the majority of their training is in traditional wire and bracket braces.
An Invisalign trained dentist would likely be more comfortable with your case. Plus, their cases are always approved by the Invisalign headquarters who have experts on staff to ensure their patients can have a great outcome. In fact, this technology has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates in dentistry. Not only does it work faster than traditional braces, but they are more comfortable. Plus, they really are invisible even at a conversational distance. Some people even call them invisible braces.
I don’t think you will need dental implants for your congenitally missing teeth. Because of their location and the fact is was baby teeth in that position previously, you can simply close the gap with your orthodontic treatment and be done.
There is an additional hidden benefit as well. The aligners used to straighten your teeth can also double as teeth whitening trays. Your dentist can provide you with professional strength teeth whitening gel that you can wear in your aligners at a time most convenient for you. This allows you to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time for a fraction of what it would cost you to do both procedures separately.
This blog is brought to you by Arnold, MD Cosmetic Dentist Dr. Meredith Esposito.