Can Invisalign Treat Complex Cases?
The Invisalign system uses a series of ‘invisible’ clear aligners to gradually shift teeth into their desired position and is commonly used as an alternative to conventional braces.
Invisalign Can Treat Complex Cases
For patients looking for an ‘invisible’ and hassle-free alternative to conventional braces, may find that the Invisalign system is the clear choice as it’s able to address most orthodontic issues with relative ease.
The only caveat is that treating complex the cases with Invisalign will typically require more aligners to shift teeth into their desired position, which will result in a longer treatment duration and higher overall cost of treatment. If you’d like to understand more about the cost of Invisalign treatment in Singapore, we have a separate article where we dive deep in the costs of Invisalign.
Invisalign can address these common occlusal issues; gapped teeth, open bite, crossbite, overbite, underbite and over-crowded teeth.
Invisalign for Overbite
Overbite refers to the condition where the upper jaw set of teeth extends over the lower set of teeth when biting, which results in a gap between the upper and lower sets of teeth. This condition is one of the most common forms of malocclusion that’s highly prevalent in younger patients, with more than 70% of orthodontic dental disorders in children being overbites. Overbites are generally caused as a result genetic dispositions. However, it can also be the results of habits during teen years which affects the development of the upper and lower jaw.
An untreated overbite can lead of a variety of other issues such as:
- Poor oral hygiene
- Gum irritation
- Jaw pain and jaw joint pain
- Speech problems – lisps
- Faster tooth wear from grinding teeth – worn down tooth enamel which can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, trauma to the tooth or even painful tooth abscess
- Increased risk of damage to front teeth
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of developing tooth decay
- Damage to upper palate of mouth
Can Invisalign Fix Overbites?
Yes, Invisalign can treat overbites. Depending on the severity of the overbite and the age of the patient Invisalign may be a viable treatment option.
Invisalign for Underbite
Underbites refer to the condition where the lower set of teeth extend and stick out in front of the upper set of teeth when biting. This incorrect positioning of teeth cases the lower jaw to be displaced and positioned forward. Underbites are generally caused as a results of a genetic disposition, but can also be the results of habits during teen years which affects the development of the upper and lower jaw. Underbites occur due to an over development of the lower jaw, under development of the upper jaw, or both.
An untreated underbite can lead to a variety of issues such as:
- Strange & unpleasant smile
- Speech problems
- Poor function of mouth – Patients are unable to bite or chew properly due to the underbite
- Poor oral hygiene
- Increased risk of damage to front teeth
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of developing tooth decay
Can Invisalign Fix Underbites?
Yes, Invisalign can treat certain types of underbites. Depending on the severity of the underbite and the age of the patient Invisalign may be a viable treatment option. Severe underbites which are the result of significant skeletal misalignment of the jaw, may require additional treatment such as surgery to correct the alignment of the jaw, where a dental surgeon will manipulate and shift the lower jaw to achieve an ideal bite position.
Invisalign for Crossbite
Crossbites refer the bite misalignment where only some upper teeth sit behind lower teeth, unlike an underbite where almost all upper front teeth are behind the lower front teeth. Crossbites are generally the result of a genetic disposition, but can also be the result of habit during teen years which affects the development of the upper and lower jaw, delayed/irregular tooth growth and mouth breathing.
Crossbites are generally come in two primary forms:
- Anterior Crossbite: One or more upper front teeth may sit behind bottom front teeth when the mouth is closed, this causes upper teeth to touch the tongue instead of the bottom teeth.
- Posterior Crossbite: One or more back upper teeth sit behind back lower teeth when the mouth is closed resulting in back lower teeth being closer to the cheek than back upper teeth. Posterior crossbites occur due to an underdeveloped upper jaw and an overdeveloped lower jaw.
An untreated underbite can lead to a variety of issues such as:
- Receding gums
- Tooth pain
- Cheek pain
- Poor facial symmetry
- Poor function of mouth – Patients are unable to bite or chew properly due to the crossbite
- Poor oral hygiene
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of developing tooth decay
Can Invisalign Fix Crossbites?
Yes, Invisalign can treat most types of crossbites. Depending on the severity of the crossbite and the age of the patient Invisalign may be a viable treatment option.
In severe crossbite cases where skeletal development is normal, additional means may be needed to correct the crossbite alongside the use of invisalign. This might include elastic bands, metal braces placed on only a few teeth, or mini screws to help pull the teeth into position. In cases with skeletal misalignments, surgery might be needed to completely correct the crossbite
However, for the majority of patients suffering from a crossbite, surgical intervention will not be necessary to produce a desired bite and satisfactory final results.
Invisalign for Open Bite
An open bite refers to the condition where a gap is present in between one or more of the top and bottom teeth when the patient bites down fully. Patients suffering from an open bite will typically have a distinct ‘gap/opening’ when closing their mouth. There are different types of open bites which vary based on the location and causes. Open bites are generally the result of a genetic disposition, but can also be the result of delayed/irregular tooth growth, mouth breathing, bad oral habits such as nail biting, thumb-sucking and prolonged pacifier use.
An untreated underbite can lead to a variety of issues such as:
- Strange & unpleasant smile
- Speech problems
- Poor function of mouth – Patients are unable to bite or chew properly due to the underbite
- Faster tooth wear from grinding teeth- worn down tooth enamel which can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, trauma to the tooth or even painful tooth abscess
- Poor oral hygiene
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of developing tooth decay
Can Invisalign Fix Open bite?
Yes, Invisalign can treat most types of open bites. Depending on the severity of the open bite and the age of the patient Invisalign may be a viable treatment option.
Invisalign for Crowded Teeth
Crowded teeth, also known as overcrowding is a common condition that occurs when there is not don’t have enough space in the jaw for teeth to fit properly.
Overcrowding can be caused by a wide variety of factors such as:
- Genetic defects causing teeth to be larger than the jaw resulting in teeth not being able to fit properly, causing them to twist or overlap.
- Premature loss of primary teeth which causes other teeth shift
- Over-retained baby teeth causing permanent teeth to not properly erupt.
An untreated crowded can lead to a variety of issues such as:
- Faster tooth wear from grinding teeth- worn down tooth enamel which can lead to increased tooth sensitivity, trauma to the tooth or even painful tooth abscess
- Difficulty chewing
- Speech difficulty
- Harder to maintain oral hygiene
- Increased risk of damage to front teeth
- Increased risk of gum disease
- Increased risk of developing tooth decay
Can Invisalign Fix Crowding?
Yes, Invisalign can treat most types of crowded teeth. In crowding cases, space would be needed to push the crowded teeth into ideal alignment. This can be done through multiple ways including creating spaces between existing teeth, pushing the arch forwards to gain space or extracting a premolar tooth.
Is Invisalign right for me?
When paired with other supporting treatment options, the Invisalign system has the ability to address most cases.
However, the Invisalign system may be not be the most efficient system when compared against conventional braces when it comes to treating complex cases of malocclusion.
Generally, conventional braces are the preferred choice for dentists when it comes to treating complex cases as it allows more room for flexibility and fluidity in treatment planning, as the dentist will have full control over the movement of all teeth at every stage of the treatment.
If you want to learn more about Invisalign vs Braces. You can read our separate article where we dive deep on the difference between Invisalign and conventional braces.
This Article Has Been Medically Curated By:
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We are conveniently located at these locations:
NoFrills Dental @ Suntec City
3 Temasek Boulevard
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#03-317
Singapore 038983
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6 Raffles Boulevard,
Marina Square,
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Singapore 039594
So, What’s Next?
If you’ve got more questions about Invisalign Treatment in Singapore. You can read up more on our dedicated page on Invisalign Treatment in Singapore, or you could contact us directly to speak to one of our Invisalign accredited providers.
We would suggest for you to speak to one of our dentists. Our Invisalign accredited providers are experienced, ready to answer all your queries, and will discuss all the possible treatment options available for you.
At the end of the day, we believe that the right dentist for you is the one who will lay out all your treatment options on the table, allowing you to make informed decisions, while ensuring that your entire treatment process is as enjoyable, comfortable and hassle-free as possible.
Good communication between you and your dentist is the best way to ensure a smooth and successful treatment.
In addition, please only proceed with the treatment if you are fully comfortable with the treatment plan proposed by your Invisalign provider.
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