Who should not get Invisalign?

Are you interested in getting a discreet dental treatment that can straighten your smile, in a matter of months?

Then, Invisalign might be right for you.

In this blog article, we will explain exactly what Invisalign is and why it might be a viable treatment option for you. We will also discuss who should not get Invisalign and answer other questions related to the topic.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign, or Invisible Braces, is a set of clear, plastic, removable aligners, which fit comfortably over your teeth. They apply pressure to your teeth, to gradually straighten them and fix numerous teeth issues.

The aligners fit comfortably over the person’s teeth, without any pain. The most appealing aspect of Invisalign for many patients is that they are virtually invisible and hardly noticeable in the mouth.

Each of your Invisalign trays will be replaced with a new tray around every 2 weeks (or whichever time frame your dentist advises).

As the most advanced clear aligner system in the world, Invisalign has helped improve over 14 million smiles, including 2 million teen smiles.

Invisalign aligners are different to traditional, metal braces, which are very visible in the patient’s teeth, and cannot be removed by anyone other than the orthodontist.

Your orthodontist will custom-make your aligners by conducting a 3D scan of your mouth. Once this is done, the orthodontist will create a plan of how each tooth will be moved into the correct position, using the Invisalign, of course!

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

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.

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.

What are the advantages of Invisalign?

Having straighter teeth will boost your confidence and self-esteem, hence why Invisalign is so popular all over the world.
The Invisalign is virtually invisible- it does not come with any brackets or wires, or the restrictions that come with metal braces.
The Invisalign can be removed during meal times and during sleep, whereas normal braces cannot be removed.
If you have crooked, crowded or misaligned teeth, then this actually predisposes you and leads you to develop gum inflammation and severe gum disease. Crowded teeth also make brushing and flossing more difficult- which is why using Invisalign to correct your teeth issues will improve your overall oral health.
Invisalign tends to be more comfortable than normal braces, as it applies less pressure to the teeth.
Wearing Invisalign requires fewer trips to the dentist than normal braces do.
If you wear normal braces, they can cause cuts inside your cheeks. With Invisalign, you won’t have this problem.

Who can get Invisalign?

You should consult your dentist or orthodontist if you would like Invisalign treatment. 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 teeth
You have 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.

Can children get Invisalign?

No, children are also who should not 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.

Book a consultation with one of our Invisalign dentists if you would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen here at Didsbury Dental Practice.

Where can I get Invisalign treatment?

Here at Didsbury Dental Practice, 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 2 to 3 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).

Does Invisalign give you a lisp?

No, Invisalign should not cause any major speech impediments.

For the first day or two, you may develop a very slight lisp, as your mouth adjusts to the feeling of the aligners. But this should only be temporary- your tongue will quickly adapt, and your speech will be back to normal!

Do you take your Invisalign out when eating?

Yes, you should remove your Invisalign aligners when you are eating or drinking.

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.

Do you take out your Invisalign when you brush your teeth or floss?

Yes, you should remove your Invisalign aligners when you brush your teeth and floss. This will give you full access to your teeth, so you can remove the trapped food and debris from between your teeth.

What if I break my Invisalign aligners?

Don’t panic! Simply contact your dentist as soon as possible, and they will provide you with a new set of aligners.

You should never attempt to fix your broken Invisalign aligners yourself, using any household glue or bonding material. This can cause an infection to spread in your mouth, and if the glue is ingested, this can be dangerous for your health.

We hope this article has helped you better understand who should not get Invisalign.

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

Click here to learn about our Invisalign treatment for adults and teenagers.

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

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.

Visit our blog to read more articles on dental health.