Straight teeth do more than benefit our smile. Crooked teeth, especially severe misalignments, and malocclusions, can impact our ability to bite, chew, and speak properly. It can be harder to get your toothbrush and dental floss into those tight spaces and gaps created by crooked teeth, making it much more challenging to clean your mouth from food particles and bacteria. When your teeth are straight, keeping them clean is easier, making you less susceptible to dental concerns such as tooth decay and gum disease. So what are your options to achieve a straighter smile, and how do you know if you are an Invisalign candidate?

You can achieve straighter teeth and no one needs to know but you and your dentist!

There are two primary treatment methods when it comes to straightening teeth.

• Traditional metal braces
• Clear aligners, such as Invisalign

While metal braces are often necessary for serious bite issues and dental misalignments, Invisalign offers a great solution for those with less serious complications. Clear aligners provide the patient with a variety of benefits too. But the most popular benefit is discretion. Even though you need to wear your Invisalign aligners 20 to 22 hours per day, they are very unobstrusive in their design. This means that no one needs to know you are wearing teeth straighteners but you and your dental team.

Read on to see what it takes to be an Invisalign candidate and determine if you, too, can benefit from clear aligners and all the benefits that Invisalign offers.

5 Signs You Are an Invisalign Candidate

Invisalign is an exciting treatment for those with minor malocclusions and crowded teeth. Here’s what you need to know to determine whether you are an Invisalign candidate.

1. You have a straightforward case.

As mentioned, traditional braces are needed for serious malocclusions. When you have a severely misaligned bite, you need a stronger approach to guiding your teeth into the correct position. The brackets and archwires on the metal braces can be adjusted throughout your straightening treatment to pull your teeth into the correct position. But if you have only a class 1 or 2 malocclusion or crowded teeth, you may be an Invisalign candidate. 

2. You have all your adult teeth. 

Adults should have between 28 and 32 teeth, depending on whether or not they have had their wisdom teeth removed. However, according to the National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial Research, adults between the ages of 20 and 64 have an average of only 25.5 remaining teeth. When you have missing teeth and don’t seek a tooth replacement option, your remaining teeth can shift in your mouth. Because of this, Invisalign won’t be an effective long-term treatment for you.

3. You are old enough.

It’s recommended that kids have an early orthodontic evaluation, around age seven. At this time, their dentist can determine if they need any kind of intervention. That said, though there isn’t an age limit to be an Invisalign candidate, it isn’t as effective in young children still experiencing bone growth. Conversely, if you meet the other candidacy requirements, you can be an Invisalign candidate in your 30s, 40s, 50s, and even 70s.

4. You have the motivation and a solid sense of responsibility.

Invisalign clear aligners are not permanently fixed inside your mouth. This means they can be removed for meals and brushing your teeth. Since they can be removed, you must be responsible and diligent enough to wear them the recommended 20 to 22 hours daily. If you wear them less, it can elongate your treatment period. Because Invisalign is removable, you don’t have to worry about the food limitations commonly associated with metal braces. Eat what you want, in moderation, as long as you practice good oral care at home to keep your teeth clean from unwanted bacteria and plaque.

5. You have good oral hygiene.

To get Invisalign in the first place, your teeth must be in decent shape, and free from untreated tooth decay and gum disease. But you also need the discipline to keep up with your brushing, flossing, and rinsing, not only throughout your treatment but throughout your entire lifetime. And if you do, Invisalign can help you avoid certain oral health conditions that come with poor hygiene regimens.

Request an Appointment Today to Discuss How to Get Invisalign

If you want to learn more about how clear aligners can benefit your smile, now is the time to schedule an appointment and learn more about Invisalign at your Saint Joseph and Berrien Springs dental offices. We look forward to seeing you and helping you achieve a better smile.