Criteria to Determine if a Patient will be Suitable for Invisalign Braces

Braces are a proven treatment to straighten teeth and help people improve their oral health. Even with positive results, though, patients tend to have a negative response to being told they need braces. They imagine themselves having to flash a clunky metal smile or being forced to change their lifestyle to avoid certain foods. There’s also the social stigma associated with teenagers and adults wearing braces.

Invisalign is the most revolutionary treatment on the market. They are clear aligners that patients can remove if they want to enjoy a meal or attend a social or professional function without feeling self-conscious. Unfortunately, not everyone is a candidate for this treatment.

Georgian Dental offers Invisalign treatments to patients who fit the criteria. To help determine if you’re a candidate, we’ll explore the basics of Invisalign and the key points you should understand. Additionally, we’ll review what alternatives exists for those who need to consider other options.

Invisalign Tray Based Teeth Aligners

Invisalign methodically and painlessly straightens teeth via sets of custom-made aligners that are clear and removable. Aligners are replaced every two weeks, and this process moves teeth into the final position determined by an orthodontist.

Most patients find these aligners to fit comfortably in their mouths and they enjoy the option to remove them to do certain activities without hindrance. Treatments typically last up to 15 months and most patients will be outfitted with 18 to 30 aligners.

Cost is determined on a case-by-case basis. The variables include how misaligned one’s teeth are and the length and sophistication the treatment will need to be. The good news is that Invisalign is often viewed as the more cost effective option compared to metal or ceramic braces.

If you are concerned with the appearance of metal on your teeth, then you should learn if you are a candidate for Invisalign. If you can commit to the responsibility of wearing them the required number of hours a day, then you can enjoy minimal disruption to your life while your teeth get straightened.

Determining Candidacy

To determine if you can undergo an Invisalign treatment, the first thing to know is that it is primarily recommended for adults. Interested teenagers, especially younger ones, should speak with their dentist to determine if their developing teeth and gums are suitable for this treatment or if a more traditional option like metal braces make more sense.

Invisalign has become more effective over the years and can now treat more than just minor problems. When it was first released, it was mainly an option to fix cosmetic issues but it has evolved to be able to tackle structural issues as well. Still, if your case is severe then you might be advised to seek out other options.

Invisalign can help solve the following dental issues:

• Gaps in teeth
• Overcrowding
• Overbites, underbites and crossbites

Patients love the ease of Invisalign. They are required to spend less time in a dentist’s chair and don’t need to endure adjustments. The catch is that these clear aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours a day. This means patients must accept the responsibility and commit to consistently and thoroughly following the plan without exception.

Not adhering to the rules will reduce the chances of your teeth reaching their final position, and could result in having to start a new treatment. This means having to pay to undergo a new treatment and delaying having straight teeth.

Determining candidacy is the job of your dentist or orthodontist. They will evaluate your needs and asses what path is best. You should express in your first appointment if Invisalign is your preferred treatment.

Invisalign Alternatives

Not being a candidate for Invisalign isn’t the end of the world. There are other options that can straighten your teeth in roughly the same amount of time.

Ceramic Braces are a popular choice for patients who do not want to deal with the bulkiness of metal braces. They offer the same treatment duration of their metal counterparts but are less noticeable.

Ceramic is more brittle than metal so they are only used on front teeth, where the braces are visible, and metal braces are placed on the back teeth where they are out of sight from onlookers. The ceramic material is covered with a compound whose colour closely matches that of a patient’s teeth. They are transparent to the point of being nearly invisible from a distance.

Ceramic braces are perfect for teenagers and adults who don’t want braces to cause their confidence to nosedive. Many report being pleased with the minimal impact ceramic braces have on their work performance or how little apprehension they create toward attending social or professional functions.

Ceramic braces can be more expensive than metal ones but they are an investment you can feel good about.

Fast Braces is an option that helps people complete their treatment faster. This unique offering combines subsonic wave therapy with phototherapy in addition to an innovative bracket design to speed up the process. Georgian Dental was the first to offer this alternative to conventional braces in Muskoka-Simcoe County, allowing patients to get their smile in style in half the time. If interested, please note that adults can be candidates for fast braces but it is not best suited for the developing jaws of teenagers.

Fast braces reflect Georgian Dental’s commitment to holistic dentistry, which aims to treat more than just a patient’s mouth. We recognize that years of wearing and maintaining braces can impact a patient on many levels. Because of this we always consider their emotional state and mental health in the grand scheme of their oral care.

While these options are all effective, it’s about choosing the method that you are comfortable with and that your dentist believes is in the best interest of your oral health. The role of the dentist or the orthodontist is to ensure that you feel good about the course of treatment that you will embark on.

Metal Braces are the most common braces treatment. For years, they have been the go-to for patients who want to repair their teeth and are a popular choice for children and young teenagers. The downside is that they feel heavier than other options and can make patients feel self-conscious while eating, smiling or speaking.

Metal braces work by applying pressure on teeth via a wire and bracket system. This force helps move the teeth over time. They are generally comfortable to wear but it’s important to accept that there will be some tightness. They do require regular orthodontic appointments to confirm that they are working and to make any necessary adjustments.

Fortunately, some of their negative qualities have been improved over the years. They’ve come a long way with respect to being modernized and now feature smaller and flatter brackets. They are less noticeable without sacrificing efficacy or functionality and the results are just as positive.

Want to Learn More?

If you are interested in being an Invisalign patient, then take advantage of our free, no-obligation consultations to determine if you are a candidate. We’ll sit down to assess your situation and answer any questions you might have. If, for some reason, you are not a candidate, we can discuss other options that will suit your needs.