Does Invisalign Really Work Without Causing Tooth Problems

Does Invisalign really work? This treatment is often marketed as a more convenient alternative to braces, but some patients are concerned about its effectiveness. Invisalign® may sound too good to be true — patients do not have to worry about avoiding certain foods that may become stuck in traditional braces.

Does Invisalign really work?

Like traditional braces, Invisalign® is designed to correct crooked teeth, crowded teeth and gaps. Instead of periodically having wires tightened like with braces, Invisalign® patients are given a series of near-invisible aligners. Each successive set of aligners is designed to push the patient's teeth closer to their ideal alignment.

What factors cause Invisalign® not to work?

One of the advantages of Invisalign® is that it can be taken out when a patient needs to eat or brush their teeth. However, this advantage can quickly become a disadvantage when patients are non-compliant. Most dental professionals advise their patients that they need to wear their Invisalign® trays as close to 23 hours per day as possible.

Because it is easy to remove Invisalign® at any point, some patients go for several hours without wearing their aligners. Even in this relatively short period, it is possible to lose progress. Each time a patient goes without aligners, teeth can shift back to where they were before treatment. When done frequently, this can result in Invisalign® treatment not working.

Does Invisalign really work for all dental issues?

Invisalign® can be used to correct almost every issue that traditional braces can. However, for certain severe issues, a patient's dentist may recommend alternative treatment. For patients with the following issues, Invisalign® may not be effective:

  • Extremely crowded teeth
  • Teeth rotated more than 20 degrees
  • Very large gaps between teeth
  • Existing dental bridges or similar types of dental work
  • Unusually shaped teeth
  • Before prescribing Invisalign® or a similar orthodontic treatment, a dental professional will thoroughly examine a patient's teeth to see whether Invisalign® is the right option.

    Can Invisalign® cause tooth problems?

    When used correctly, Invisalign® will not cause tooth problems. Patients do need to be very careful to brush their teeth before putting aligners back in. Because aligners fit very tightly to the teeth, they stop saliva from reaching the teeth's surface. Without saliva, food particles cannot be efficiently broken down, and plaque, cavities and other dental issues may occur.

    In order to avoid potential problems, Invisalign® patients should make sure they brush and floss their teeth after eating and before placing the aligners. The prescribing provider will usually go over optimal dental hygiene with a patient before fitting them with their first set of aligners.

    Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Dental Services in Culver City, CA.

    Conclusion

    Patients who have been wondering, "Does Invisalign® really work?" may be relieved to know that with careful compliance and good dental hygiene, the answer is almost always yes. For patients interested in Invisalign® for achieving a better smile, it is a good idea to reach out to a dental professional to make an appointment.

    Request an appointment or call Culver City Dental at 310-272-5405 for an appointment in our Culver City office.

    Recent Posts

    4 Tips For At-Home Denture Care

    Proper denture care is a crucial part of maintaining the appliance and its benefits. If you are a new denture wearer, you may be questioning how to care for them at home. Here are four tips for taking care of your dentures at home.It is important to remember that just because you have dentures does…

    Implant Crown: The Final Step In Restoring Your Smile

    Dental implants provide a durable and natural-looking solution for missing teeth, but they do not work on their own. An implant crown serves as the final step in this process, completing the restoration and restoring smile function, appearance, and confidence. They mimic the appearance and strength of natural teeth to integrate with the rest of…

    The Dos And Don’ts Of Denture Care

    Dentures are an excellent alternative to natural teeth, and denture care is as simple and easy as traditional dental care. This is particularly true for those who have lost all of their teeth or those who may be missing one or more front teeth due to an injury. But with any dental product, some precautions…

Culver City Dental

Share
Published by
Culver City Dental

Recent Posts

4 Tips for At-Home Denture Care

Proper denture care is a crucial part of maintaining the appliance and its benefits. If…

5 hours ago

Implant Crown: The Final Step in Restoring Your Smile

Implant crowns serve as a permanent solution for replacing missing teeth. They provide stability, aesthetics,…

23 hours ago

The Dos and Don’ts of Denture Care

Dentures are an excellent alternative to natural teeth, and denture care is as simple and…

1 week ago

All-on-X vs. Traditional Dentures: Which is Best for You?

All-on-X is a modern alternative to traditional dentures, offering a more permanent and stable solution…

2 weeks ago

Denture Care: How to Properly Remove Your Dentures

Denture care is the maintenance of dentures with respect to proper denture placement and denture…

2 weeks ago

Should You Use Toothpaste for Denture Care?

Whether you can use toothpaste for denture care is a common question many people wonder…

3 weeks ago