Healthy teeth can be moved at any age, and Invisalign can transform anything from mild crowding and complex bite problems to severely crooked teeth. Many adults who choose Invisalign over traditional braces are typically wanting to straighten their smile later in life. An increase in adult patients also means it’s likely that those patients also have advanced dental work including crowns, implants, and even veneers.
Fortunately, teeth can still be straightened with Invisalign for both adults and children if you have one of these additional treatments already in place.
More than 178 million Americans are missing at least one tooth, making losing teeth a fairly common problem. While there are multiple solutions for having a missing tooth replaced, many patients do nothing to address the issue. Missing a tooth doesn’t just leave a gap in your mouth. It can also cause bone loss and make other aligned teeth shift.
Tooth repositioning also misaligns the bite, causes wrinkles over time and can make your remaining teeth even more crooked than they were before the tooth loss. Fortunately, even if your smile has been affected by missing teeth or dental implants, Invisalign may still be an option for you.
If you are currently wearing dental crowns or bridges and you are thinking of getting Invisalign, it’s highly likely that you and your dentist will encounter a few potential issues. In order to be deemed an ideal candidate for Invisalign, you should have teeth which are rooted soundly, and your crowns should be attached and sealed firmly to your teeth.
The advantage of wearing Invisalign with a crown is that there is no need to attach brackets to your teeth. This prevents the problem of the crown getting loose or detached from your teeth. Your dentist may also install a clear attachment to your teeth which will serve as protection for the crown.
Most dentists will likely suggest getting Invisalign before dental implants because it makes things easier overall and gives the orthodontist more flexibility to design your perfect smile before placing a permanent implant. There may be exceptions, however, if your dentist thinks you don’t have enough bone support, or it may deteriorate by the time you receive your implant. If you already have dental implants, you can still be a candidate for Invisalign. Hoffman Dental Care will implement a treatment plan that addresses the teeth around the dental implant, thus straightening your overall smile.
The Invisalign system is designed to straighten teeth without the use of brackets or wires. Veneers can often do the same depending on the severity of your malocclusion and other factors.Porcelain veneers are a cosmetic dentistry procedure that do not correct bite problems or correct the position of your teeth. Veneers simply sit on top of your teeth to create a flawless smile that hides imperfections. If your smile goals are to achieve a bite that is completely aligned for comfort and good oral health, Invisalign will be the preferred option.
Misalignment problems that cause jaw pain and other oral health issues can come to light after a patient has already gone through getting veneers. If you have veneers, Invisalign is possible if the veneers are healthy, strong, and properly bonded to your teeth. In some cases, Invisalign wearers will need attachments to make their aligners fit more snugly. This could be problematic if needed on a veneer and could limit the movement of the bite and teeth.
If you’re suffering from crooked or misaligned teeth, Lumineers on their own without Invisalign may be an option for you. Many patients choose LUMINEERS because they can correct multiple problems such as closing gaps in the smile and balancing the appearance of short or disproportionate teeth with a straightforward treatment.
To determine the best way to straighten your smile regardless of previous dental restorations, schedule a consultation appointment with Hoffman Dental Care. We can help you find the treatment option that’s right for you.
