Frequently asked questions: Invisalign and your smile
What is the minimum age of a patient that a doctor can treat with Invisalign®?
With experience, your dental practitioner can use Invisalign to treat malocclusion for a majority of adults and adolescents who want a better smile. If you are a teenager, talk to your Invisalign dental practitioner to see if Invisalign Teen may be the right treatment option for you.
I am currently wearing braces. Can I make the switch to Invisalign?
A significant number of patients are being treated with a combination of braces and Invisalign. Consult your Invisalign dental practitioner to determine the best treatment for you.
Does the procedure work on overbites?
An experienced Invisalign dental practitioner can use Invisalign to treat overbites in the vast majority of adults and adolescents.
Are there certain dental conditions that automatically exclude someone from being an eligible patient?
Only your dental practitioner can determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign treatment.
Are bridges a factor in Invisalign treatment?
Because bridges firmly link two or more teeth together, they offer significant resistance to tooth movement. Your dental practitioner will be able to determine whether bridges will be a factor in your treatment. An Invisalign certified dental practitioner can advise.
Are crowns a factor in Invisalign treatment?
Crowns (tooth caps) are usually not a factor in Invisalign treatment. However, sometimes small tooth- coloured composites called "attachments" are bonded onto teeth to help achieve certain movements and are more difficult to bond on crowns than teeth. In these cases, the location of crowns must be carefully evaluated. An Invisalign-certified dental practitioner can advise.
Can Invisalign close gaps?
Yes. Spaces between teeth are generally easy to close with Invisalign.
Will TMJ affect Invisalign treatment?
TMJ refers to the temporomandibular (jaw) joint. People with a TMJ condition can have a number of problems with the jaw joint, some of which can be aggravated by appliances and treatments like Invisalign, and some which can improve, remain the same or even cause the condition to deteriorate. To find out if your TMJ problem will adversely impact treatment, consult an Invisalign-certified dental practitioner.
Once Invisalign treatment is complete is a retainer necessary?
Wearing a retainer after any orthodontic treatment is an important step, because it keeps teeth stable in their new positions. If you want your teeth to remain in their ideal position for the rest of your life, it is best to wear a retainer as directed by your dentist or orthodontist. In many cases your last aligner will be your temporary retainer, your dental practitioner can advise you on longer term retention options
Since having my braces removed, my teeth have shifted. Can Invisalign correct this?
A number of Invisalign patients have undergone a previous treatment involving braces at some point in their past, often during their youth. Invisalign can usually correct the shifting that occurs after braces commonly referred to as relapse, and do so without having to go through the inconvenience and social awkwardness of wearing metal braces.