Does Invisalign Benefit Oral Health?

If you have thought about straightening your teeth, you have almost certainly come across Invisalign. Invisalign is a clear aligner orthodontic solution that is the preferred option of many patients who are looking to correct issues with the alignment of their teeth and their bite, and who don’t want the inconvenience associated with traditional orthodontic braces.


Invisalign uses a series of bespoke, clear aligners that are created in a specific treatment pattern, mapping the journey that your teeth need to bring them into a new and improved position. The aligners sit over the top of the teeth and apply gentle force to guide them into their new position. Each aligner is worn for a set period, usually around 3 to 4 weeks, before you move on to the next one in the series. Aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours per day to be effective, and are only removed for cleaning and eating. They must also be worn in the correct order, otherwise, the effectiveness of your treatment and your treatment timeline will be affected.


Invisalign may be the superior choice for correcting dental misalignment, but what about your oral health?

Straighter teeth are better for your oral health

Many people are surprised to learn that perfectly aligned teeth are much better news for your oral health. The simple reason for this is that teeth that are in alignment don’t have as many tiny crevices and gaps for plaque to accumulate in. It is generally these areas, which are hard to reach using toothpaste or floss alone, where plaque has an opportunity to harden into tartar, spread onto the gums, and cause the beginning of gum disease.


When your teeth sit perfectly straight next to one another, they are considerably easier to clean and there are no awkward spaces to try and get the floss into. This means that straighter teeth are healthier, and patients are much less likely to develop cavities and gum disease.

Teeth that come together properly last longer

‘Your bite’ refers to the way that your teeth come together when you close your mouth. In an ideal world, your teeth will come together perfectly without any gaps. However, the reality is that unless you’ve had orthodontic treatment, you’ll probably find that you have a ‘bad’ bite, also known as a malocclusion. Some bite issues include:


Crossbite: A crossbite occurs when the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth.


Underbite: This is where the lower jaw sits in front of the upper jaw.


Open bite: An open bite occurs when the back teeth are together, and the upper and lower front teeth don’t overlap.


Deep bite: When your bite is closed, your upper front teeth cover the bottom teeth too much.


Overbite: Characterized by ‘buck teeth’ this is when the upper teeth appear to protrude too far, which is a result of the upper jaw being too far forward.



The trouble with bite problems is that if they aren’t corrected, they can lead to a variety of oral health issues, including:

 

• Uneven wear on the teeth
   

• Teeth prone to accidental breaking
   

• Swallowing problems
   

• Speech impediments
   

• Temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD)
   

• Lopsided jaw growth
   

• Increased risk of cavities and gum disease

Having orthodontic treatment with Invisalign can ensure that mild to moderate bite issues are resolved, reducing the risk of experiencing any of the oral health problems listed above.



If you’d like to learn more about Invisalign or to schedule an appointment to discuss your smile, please contact our friendly team today at Above & Beyond Dental at (817) 571-1667 to reach our office in Bedford, Texas.