Can Invisalign Be Used for Crossbites?
While you may have become accustomed to living with a crossbite, the malformation of your teeth isn’t healthy for your mouth or your health. Crossbites are common genetic issues that develop early, either from thumb-sucking or improper jaw development. The results can leave you self-conscious and at risk of far more serious dental consequences.
Don’t take chances with your or your family’s dental health. You or your teenagers need straighter teeth when you have a crossbite, so call the experts at nearby Stamford Dental Arts for a free evaluation. Get straighter teeth now.
If you’re suffering from a crossbite, Invisalign may be able to help you get a straighter, more functional bite. To know for sure, visit your nearby dentist in Stamford, CT. Stamford Dental Arts has two qualified dentists in Invisalign Platinum Providers: Marjan Moghadam, DDS, MA, and Ali Modiri, DDS. Between them, they can handle all of your dental needs, even if you have a crossbite.
What Is a Crossbite?
A crossbite is a malocclusion or a bad bite that’s often confused with an underbite. The crossbite misalignment of your upper and lower front teeth come in two primary forms:
- Anterior crossbite. This condition is marked by one or more of your upper front teeth sitting behind your front bottom teeth when you close your mouth.
- Posterior crossbite. You have this condition if your back upper teeth rest inside your lower back teeth when you bite down. Posterior crossbite occurs when your upper jaw is thinner than your lower one.
Crossbites usually represent a genetic condition. But some other factors can contribute to your improper bite, such as:
- Delayed or irregular tooth growth. Baby teeth generally fall out when permanent teeth appear. But in some cases, the baby teeth remain in place. They force the permanent teeth into improper positions and even cause a misalignment of the jawbone.
- Mouth breathing. A closed mouth forces your tongue to the roof of your mouth. If a child develops excessive mouth breathing, the tongue doesn’t pressure the upper palate. Consequently, the upper jaw may not expand naturally and subsequently lead to a posterior crossbite.
- Thumb-sucking. If your child excessively sucks his thumb, he can misalign his teeth or alter the size and shape of his upper palate. Girls are affected as much as boys.
Consequences of Crossbites
Not only are crossbites cosmetically unappealing, but they can also cause serious tooth problems. Some of the most common consequences include:
- Gum damage like gingivitis
- Cheek and tooth pain
- Jaw pain
- Neck and shoulder problems
- Lack of facial symmetry
- Excessive wear from grinding teeth
- Chipped teeth
- Receding gums
- A notch forming above the gum line
- Eventual bone loss
Dentists have traditionally treated crossbites with orthodontic braces, palate expanders, and even surgery. For many instances today, you have the option to choose Invisalign for crossbites. Your nearby dentists determine whether the invisible aligners will work in your case based upon a thorough examination.
Invisalign for Crossbites
Clear aligners like Invisalign can provide a much less invasive option to crossbite correction than the older methods. And Invisalign is the best-known brand in the industry. In fact, Invisalign is near as synonymous with clear aligners as Jacuzzi is for hot tubs or Crock-Pot is to slow cookers.
While consumers are most attracted to the near invisibility of clear aligners like Invisalign, there are other benefits. Unlike other orthodontic crossbite corrective devices, you can remove Invisalign whenever necessary. For instance, if you’re eating or have a brief social or business interaction, you can take your Invisalign out of your mouth, which means you have no limitations on what you can eat and drink.
How Long Does Invisalign Take for a Crossbite?
Invisalign for crossbites treatment can take 12 to 36 months, depending on several factors and your case. Time length could vary due to the severity or complexity of your condition, compliance with the treatment, and your orthodontist’s experience. To make sure you don’t delay your treatment length, wear your aligners for 22 hours a day and clean your aligners and teeth properly before putting them back on. This is key for a successful treatment.
Benefits of Using Invisalign for a Crossbite
There are many benefits to using Invisalign for a crossbite. Some of them are:
- Their almost invisible appearance makes them almost impossible to be noticed;
- Shorter treatment time;
- Fewer visits to the dentist compared to treatment with regular braces;
- Freedom to enjoy your favorite foods by just removing your aligners;
- Similar cost as braces with more benefits;
- Crossbite correction with virtually less pain.
Invisalign for Crossbites Lifestyle Recommendations
For the best results, you must leave the aligners in for up to 24 hours a day. You can’t get there but come as close as you can. Our leading dentist recommends that you remove them when drinking a sugary or acidic beverage, as well as when you eat. After drinking anything but tap water, brush your teeth, and clean your aligners.
Although Invisalign clear aligners are convenient to remove, don’t make a regular habit of taking them out. First of all, the aligners can’t work on your mouth when they’re in your pocket. Secondly, their near invisibility makes them easy to lose.
If you have a crossbite and believe that you could benefit from clear aligner treatment, talk to your dentist close to you in Stamford, CT. Only trained and experienced professionals can decide if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign for crossbites therapy. The expert team at Stamford Dental Arts can perform a thorough examination and design a treatment plan to correct your problem. Contact us today for a free initial consultation.
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