Invisalign; suitability criteria

When it comes to wearing an invisible aligner, you may think that the only thing that will prevent you from being suitable would be the severity of the dental misalignment.

It is true that the severity of the misalignment that you have will impact the choice of orthodontic treatment that may be suitable for you. However, there is a lot more that goes into deciding whether or not an invisible aligner will be the right option for you.

At Clear Braces Direct, our team knows all about the suitability for Invisalign London as this aligner is our speciality. We are always happy to discuss this with our patients and will always be honest about whether or not this aligner is the most suitable one to help you get the smile that you want.

So, what are some of the factors that may impact your suitability for treatment with Invisalign London? Read on to find out.

Good oral health

First and foremost, you need to have good oral health. If you have any active decay or gum disease, then you will not be able to undertake treatment with Invisalign London. This is because it is detrimental to put pressure on teeth that are already cracked or damaged or on gums that may be rejecting the teeth they are supporting. If you have any signs of gum disease or tooth decay, these must be resolved before you undertake any orthodontic treatment.

Age

There is a reason why our team prefers using invisible aligners on adults.

In simple terms, it is because they tend to be more compliant. Many parents have approached our team to ask about their children undertaking invisible aligners rather than braces. But we have found that this is rarely suitable, as children are less likely to keep the aligners in for the required time each day. Invisalign is working on developing a suitable model for child patients, but at the moment, we do not have any options available; our youngest patient group tends to start at the age of around 13 years old.

Non-smoker

It is preferred that those who undertake invisible aligners do not smoke; this is because there is a direct link between smoking and a higher incidence of gum disease and tooth decay. Cigarette smoke dries out the mouth and reduces saliva, which is otherwise beneficial in keeping your teeth free from debris and reducing decay. Similarly, cigarette smoke has been linked to the formation of aggressive gum disease, and as mentioned earlier, this is not good if you want to undertake orthodontic treatment.

Mild to moderate issue

We mentioned this before, but you do need to have a mild to moderate case of dental misalignment to use invisible aligners. If your molar teeth are involved in your misalignment, or if there is excessive spacing, crowding or severe protrusion. then you may be more suitable for a fitted brace.

Willing to participate!

And finally, you have to want to undertake the treatment and engage with the guidelines. These will involve you sending our team weekly selfies of your smile so that we can assess whether there are any issues. You will also need to wear the aligner as prescribed and, of course, ensure that your oral health remains in good condition.