Is Invisalign® Right for Me? 6 Signs You’re a Good Invisalign® Candidate

January 20, 2024

Four million people in the United States have braces at any given time, with approximately 25% of them being adults. However, most adults would prefer not to wear traditional braces, as it can impact their self-esteem and detract from a professional appearance.

Invisalign® clear dental aligners are ideal for people who want straighter teeth without the hassle or embarrassment of traditional braces. Straight teeth can improve the health of your smile as they are easier to clean, reducing the risk of plaque buildup and gum disease. Also, proper alignment can help prevent teeth grinding (bruxism) and the damage that can be caused, including TMJ disorder.

In this article, we’ll go over some special considerations that can help determine if you are an Invisalign® candidate.

What Is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is a modern orthodontic treatment designed to straighten teeth and correct various bite issues discreetly and effectively using a series of clear, custom-made aligners that gradually shift teeth into the proper position. The aligners are virtually invisible, making them undetectable under most circumstances.

Benefits of Invisalign®

Virtually invisible aligners
Comfortable and smooth
Removable for easy oral hygiene and cleaning
No dietary restrictions
Predictable and efficient results

The Invisalign® Candidate

1. Complexity Matters

Invisalign® can assist with various dental conditions, including underbites, overbites, crossbites, openbites, gaps, or overcrowding. If your case is too complex, you may not be an Invisalign® candidate and may benefit more from traditional braces or surgery; however, most cases of crooked teeth can be fixed with Invisalign®.

Cosmetic Dentistry of Napa will be able to assess your case and let you know if Invisalign® is right for you. In more complex cases, you may require dental surgery, or you may not be able to have your teeth straightened without the use of traditional braces.

2. Responsibility Is Important

Invisalign® requires you to wear your custom aligners for a set number of hours daily. In some cases, this means you’ll have to wear them all the time, except when you eat. The success of the treatment relies on you consistently wearing the aligners as recommended. If you aren't committed to changing your teeth, or you lose items easily, Invisalign® may not be the best option.

3. Adult Teeth Are Predictable

Invisalign® offers predictable results, and you should have all your adult teeth. If you still have a baby tooth, or two, it's difficult to predict the placement and positioning of the adult teeth when they grow in and may affect the alignment of your other teeth.

4. Good Oral Hygiene And Health

Having proper oral hygiene is important during Invisalign®, as the aligners must be cleaned regularly so they don't cause issues. Also, a healthy mouth free of disease is required before consideration.

5. No Smoking

Invisalign® requires you to wear your custom aligners most of the day. If you smoke often and remove your trays while you smoke, you may find that your Invisalign® isn’t as effective as it could be because you aren’t wearing them consistently enough. Also, smoking or using tobacco can interfere with the cleanliness of the aligners.

6. Age Is A Consideration

Not only is it highly recommended to have all of your adult teeth, but you must be old enough to wear Invisalign®. This is partly due to the removability of the aligners and the responsibility that is required to wear and take care of them consistently.

‍There is no upper age limit, and you can have your teeth straightened at any point in your life. But, most dentists aren’t keen to giving Invisalign® to young teens or children, regardless of whether they have all of their adult teeth.