The benefits of a beautiful smile cannot be denied. A study completed by Kelton Global revealed that most people place significant importance on having a healthy, attractive smile. So much so that they wouldn’t take someone who neglected their teeth on a second date, and it would significantly impact their desire to hire that person for a job.
Invisalign is one of the quickest and easiest ways to improve a misaligned, gapped, or crowded smile without having to deal with outdated and uncomfortable brackets and wires.
Not sure if you’re a candidate? The best way to find out is to visit an experienced Invisalign dentist. In the meantime, here are five reasons you may NOT be a suitable candidate for clear aligners:
1. Tobacco use
Traditional braces may be a better fit for people who can’t or won’t quit using tobacco during their Invisalign treatment. These habits can stain the clear aligners, making them appear unattractive, and will increase the patient’s risk of gum disease.
Tobacco products like cigarettes, chewing tobacco, snuff, pipes, and cigars, all interfere with the function of gum tissues and wear away at the bone and soft tissues of the mouth.
Along with gum disease, tobacco often leads to the following dental problems:
- Bad breath
- Increased plaque and tartar
- Increased bone loss
- Delayed healing of wounds and from oral treatments
- Increased risk of oral cancer
Because of these risks, we encourage all of our patients to quit smoking for the duration of their Invisalign treatment and forevermore.
2. Inability or unwillingness to commit to the process
Invisalign requires more responsibility than any other type of orthodontic option. Although the aligners are removable, patients must keep them in place for at least 22 hours a day. We know it can be tempting to take them out for all kinds of reasons but eating and brushing are the only two reasons they should be removed.
Additionally, these aligners can be easy to misplace or lose! We’ve heard countless stories of people throwing them away at lunch and not being able to find them. This creates a significant setback in the treatment time and creates another expense.
3. Age
Most dentists only recommend Invisalign to older teens and adults. Younger children may prefer clear aligners but keeping up with them and wearing them appropriately tends to be much more difficult for this age group.
Elderly patients who struggle with dexterity may also need to opt for traditional braces. Removing the Invisalign trays to brush, floss, and clean the trays, are an essential part of the process.
4. Severe orthodontic issues
While Invisalign can treat most orthodontics issues, traditional metal braces may work better for severe cases of:
- Overbite
- Crossbite
- Open bite
- Underbite
- Crowded teeth
5. Poor oral health
Patients with gum disease and/or cavities must have these issues resolved before beginning Invisalign treatment. Once these have been treated, the dentist can move forward with their orthodontic treatment.
Dental bridges, implants, and crowns may make Invisalign more difficult, but it doesn’t completely disqualify a patient. If you have any of these issues, be sure to mention them to your dentist.
Invisalign Dentist in Austin, TX
Want to know if you are a suitable candidate for Invisalign? Schedule an appointment with our experienced and trusted dentist, Dr. Helen Ragsdale. Call (512) 346-4690 today.
