Can Invisalign Change Your Face Shape?

Used by patients all over the world, Invisalign is a revolutionary teeth-straightening system. The treatment has proven to be very effective at straightening teeth, correcting bite problems, and enhancing smiles. Over the years, Invisalign has successfully transformed over 14 million smiles, and counting!

In this article, we will explore the question ‘can Invisalign change your face shape?’, which we hope you find useful.

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What is Invisalign?

Invisalign consists of clear aligner trays which gradually shift your teeth into place. The clear aligners are made of a flexible plastic called SmartTrack, which is created specifically for this dental treatment. These aligners are removable, so the patient can take them out and put them back in whenever they wish.

Invisalign aligners are different from traditional metal braces. Metal braces are highly visible in the patient’s teeth, and cannot be removed, except by an orthodontist.

For Invisalign, your orthodontist will custom-make aligners by conducting a 3D scan of the patient’s mouth. They will subsequently create a plan of how each tooth will be moved into the correct position, using the Invisalign, of course!

Patients can wear a full set of Invisalign, or a partial set of Invisalign, which only moves the front teeth.

The Invisalign is virtually invisible. Most people don’t even notice when a patient is wearing Invisalign aligners.

Your dentist will monitor the patient’s progress for the duration of their Invisalign journey, to ensure the treatment is working correctly.

How long does Invisalign treatment take?

Patients usually achieve their desired results within 12 to 18 months, which makes Invisalign one of the fastest and most advanced dental treatments available today.

When you go to your Invisalign consultation appointments, your dentist will provide you with a customised treatment plan that is specific to your needs.

How long should I wear Invisalign for?

For the most optimal results, it is best to wear your aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day.

How often do I change my Invisalign?

You should change your clear aligners weekly, or every other week.

Can Invisalign change your face shape?

So, can Invisalign change your face shape? Well, that depends on your facial structure and the tooth problem you are correcting.

Invisalign won’t alter your face in a hugely obvious way- it’s not a surgery or a cosmetic treatment, like cheek fillers.

So, Invisalign won’t change the shape of your nose, or make your face longer.

But you may experience a minor change in your face. For instance, the clear aligners can help re-align your jaw, if you have a bite problem. Or, your lips may appear plumper, as they have to conform to the new alignment of your bite.

What’s more, many patients report feeling more confident in their appearance after getting Invisalign, because the treatment can improve the symmetry of the face.

If you have any concerns about Invisalign potentially changing your face shape, then you should speak to your dentist or orthodontist. You will be having regular appointments with them to keep track of your Invisalign journey, so they will be able to answer your questions and provide the best advice.

Is Invisalign painful?

No, Invisalign is not a painful orthodontic treatment. Because it does not require metal wires or brackets, Invisalign is one of the least painful dental treatments out there!

Like all retainers, Invisalign may bring a slight discomfort as your teeth adjust to the new pressure being applied. But this shows that the treatment is working.

After first wearing Invisalign, any mild pain that you may feel should only be temporary, for the first few days.

Consult your dentist or orthodontist if you experience severe pain or discomfort after a week of wearing Invisalign.

Who is eligible for Invisalign?

If you would like Invisalign treatment, you should consult your dentist or orthodontist. They will be able to assess your situation and decide whether or not Invisalign is suitable for you.

You may need Invisalign if:

You have crooked or crowded teeth.
You have an underbite or overbite.
You have a crossbite (when a misaligned jaw causes one or more upper teeth to bite inside the lower teeth).
You have an open bite (when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet, which causes issues with chewing).
You have gaps in your teeth.

Who should NOT get Invisalign?

Your dentist or orthodontist will advise you on whether you qualify for Invisalign. They will carry out a detailed assessment of your oral health and ask you questions about your medical history.

You may not be suitable for Invisalign if:

You still have baby teeth present in your mouth.
You do not yet have all your adult teeth.
You have false teeth or dentures.
You have severe gum inflammation or active gum disease.
You have an infection in your wisdom teeth.
Your wisdom teeth are preventing the Invisalign aligners from fitting correctly.
You have had certain teeth extracted.
You have had dental implants or a dental bridge.
You have improperly shaped teeth, which Invisalign aligners can’t fix, so a dental crown may be better for you instead.
You cannot commit to wearing the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day.
You cannot commit to cleaning your aligners and tray every day.
You are a heavy smoker- the tobacco and nicotine can stain your aligners and get trapped in your teeth.
You have Temporomandibular Disorder (TMD), which is a condition affecting the movement of the jaw and the surrounding muscles.

Patients usually experience pain, dysfunction and restricted movement in the jaw. The condition may cause side effects such as tenderness, headaches, limited ability to open the mouth, and tooth wear.

Hence, Invisalign may not be suitable for patients with TMD, as it creates pressure on the teeth, which could be extra painful.

Where can I get Invisalign treatment?

Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, we offer Invisalign treatment.

Our team of experienced dental specialists can support you through every step of your Invisalign journey.

The aligners are custom-made for your teeth from an impression that we will take at your initial consultation. Each set of aligners must then be worn for approximately two-to-three weeks. After each two-to-three-week period, we will give you the next set.

Each set of aligners builds on the work the previous set has done to gently bring your teeth into their new, straighter position.

Invisalign clear aligners are great for people who want to have straight teeth but can’t bear the thought of having traditional fixed metal braces.

Book a consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists here if you are interested in the treatment.

Visit our website here to find out more about Invisible Braces (Invisalign).

Can children get Invisalign?

No, children cannot get Invisalign. They won’t qualify for Invisalign until their adult teeth have come in.

This usually occurs at around 12 to 13 years old. Once the tooth growth is complete, then they may be eligible for Invisalign Teen.

Can teenagers get Invisalign?

They sure can! Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, we also offer Invisalign Teen, to address the unique needs of young people.

The treatment aligners accommodate the continuing and natural eruption of young adult permanent teeth.

Click here to learn more about Invisalign Teen and book your first consultation.

Do you take your Invisalign out when eating?

Yes, you should remove your Invisalign aligners when you are eating, drinking, brushing your teeth, and flossing.

Before mealtimes, rinse your aligners and store them in an airtight container, away from surfaces where there are dirt and bacteria.

You should brush your teeth thoroughly after eating, and before you put your Invisalign back in. This will help you get rid of any food particles that are lingering in your mouth.

About Didsbury Dental Practice

We are a 24-hour emergency dentist in South Manchester. Our team is highly experienced, and we deliver a level of patient comfort like no other dental practice. Every patient is treated with the most sophisticated care and the best customised treatment in a truly relaxed atmosphere.

In addition, all of our staff are multi-lingual. Languages spoken at our dental practice include German, French, Polish, Hindi, Urdu and Punjabi.

If you need an emergency appointment, call our dental emergency helpline on 0161 413 2835, or walk into our practice and we will aim to see you as soon as possible.

We offer a wide range of dental services and treatments, including teeth whitening, Invisalign, Alias lingual braces, Six Month Smiles Braces and Damon Clear Braces.

To learn more about Didsbury Dental Practice, visit our website here.

Check out our blog to read more articles on all things dental health.

We hope you now have the answer to the question ‘can Invisalign change your face shape?’