What Makes Someone a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

If you’ve done much of any research about braces and the different options out there, you’ve probably at least heard about Invisalign. Invisalign treatment sees patients using clear aligners designed specifically for their teeth to bring them into their ideal alignment. Their discrete design is arguably the biggest selling point for this approach to straightening teeth. Not everyone is a good candidate for using them though, so what makes someone a good candidate?

Age

Generally speaking, Invisalign is best for older teens and adults. This is because the jaw bone has finished growing by that point. The jawbone of children and younger teens is still growing which can impact tooth movement. Because Invisalign is simply an aligner, it’s not going to be able to correct any jaw-related issues. As such, it’s best to wait to use Invisalign until the jaw has finished growing.

Issue

Because they are aligners, Invisalign is limited in the conditions it can treat. It’s not going to be able to handle major alignment or bite issues. On the other hand, if the problem is something like protruding teeth, gapped teeth, or overcrowded teeth, Invisalign may be a good option. It can also fix things like mild over-, cross-, or underbites, excessive central tooth overlaps, mildly crooked teeth, and teeth that aren’t properly positioned when the mouth is closed.

Discipline

As a removable aligner, a lot of the responsibility is on the patient to have the discipline to wear the aligners. They can’t work if they aren’t being worn. Ideally, aligners should be worn at all times unless eating, drinking, or brushing and flossing teeth. They need to be worn for at least 22 hours of the day. If they’re out for more than 2 hours during the day, they aren’t going to work. Incidentally, this is another reason why older teens and adults are more likely to be good candidates. They’re more likely to have the discipline to adhere to the guidelines. 

Invisalign is an attractive alternative for braces for a lot of people. There’s no need to feel self conscious about having a mouth full of metal with these clear aligners. That can be a huge relief to teens and adults alike. Still not sure if your child is a good candidate? Dr. Justin Maccaro can answer all your questions and help you find the right tooth-straightening solution for your child. Now that’s something to smile about.

Want to know if your child is a good candidate for Invisalign? Schedule an orthodontic consultation to find out.