What Can Invisalign Not Fix? Explaining Why You May Not Be A Good Candidate

Invisalign is a great alternative to braces, and it can be used to treat a wide variety of different orthodontic issues in West Bend. But it’s not always the best choice at Oakbrook Dental. While Invisalign is very versatile, there are some things that it can’t treat.

Wondering what issues Invisalign can’t fix? Read on, and get all the details. We’ll explain which common problems should be treated with braces, and discuss why Invisalign can’t be used for these orthodontic issues.

1. Serious Bite Problems

Invisalign can reshape your bite, but it is simply not as versatile as braces when it comes to serious bite problems, and overbite treatment in particular. 

Braces are more powerful and can be used to treat serious bite problems, often in combination with oral surgeries and other orthodontic treatments. If your dentist finds that you have severe malocclusion and a bad bite, you will probably be better off with traditional braces. 

2. Improperly-Shaped Teeth

Invisalign can’t reshape your teeth, so if you have a few teeth that are very small or misshapen, it may not be possible to get Invisalign treatment. These improperly-shaped teeth can mess up the alignment of your aligners.

However, you may be able to have these teeth treated with a dental crown or dental bonding. This can restore their shape and allow you to get Invisalign. Braces may also be a viable alternative, depending on the situation. 

3. Severely-Rotated Teeth

When it comes to treating rotated teeth, Invisalign is a pretty good choice, but it can only rotate teeth that are up to 20 degrees out of position. If your teeth are more severely rotated than this, Invisalign will not be able to provide the adequate force to move them into the right position.

In this case, braces will be recommended. This is usually the best option since people who have severely rotated teeth also tend to have crowded teeth and other major orthodontic issues. 

4. Very Large Gaps Between Teeth

If you have some smaller gaps between your front teeth, Invisalign can be used to correct these and provide you with an even, beautiful smile. But it has its limits. Generally, Invisalign is not recommended for gaps that are larger than 6mm. 

This is a very large gap, and it’s actually quite rare for most people to have a gap that’s this severe. If present, it usually only affects the front teeth. This is also known as “diastema.” However, if you do have a very large gap between your teeth, Invisalign may not be appropriate. 

5. Raising And Lowering Teeth 

Invisalign can’t be used for “extrusion” and “intrusion,” meaning it can’t be used to provide very much vertical force and to move the teeth up or down in the mouth. It may be possible to raise or lower teeth slightly, but if your teeth need to be moved a lot, braces may be more appropriate.

Find Out If Invisalign Is Right For You At Oakbrook Dental!

While the above limitations may sound like a lot, the truth is that the vast majority of people with minor-to-moderate tooth alignment problems can be treated with Invisalign. So if you’d like to find out whether or not Invisalign is right for you, Dr. Patel and Dr. Major are here to help.

Contact us online or give us a call at (262) 335-0822 to schedule an appointment today, get an orthodontic exam, and see if Invisalign in West bend is a good option for correcting and improving your smile and your bite.