In addition to helping our patients achieve straighter teeth, a big part of what we do here at Shirck Orthodontics is align people’s bites. Problems like an overbite, under bite, and cross bite (where the upper and lower jaws don’t line up) cannot only affect the appearance of the smile, but the jaws’ function as well. Previously, the only way to correct these kinds of issues was with metal braces, but now, we’re able to reliably handle them with Invisalign in Powell, which is great news for adults who want a more discreet treatment. How does this work? Read on to learn how Invisalign can fix your bite!
How do bite problems happen in the first place?
For some people, as they grow, their upper and lower jaw develop at different rates, usually one being slower than the other. If the lower jaw is slower, this means that the upper teeth will stick out in front of the bottom ones, leading to an overbite, and the opposite is true of an under bite. Even if the teeth are relatively straight, the bite itself won’t be aligned, which can cause numerous issues for a patient, such as feeling self-conscious about their smile, speech impediments, and pain and stiffness in the jaw.
How can Invisalign fix a crooked bite?
Invisalign on its own is primarily designed to straighten crooked, crowded, and gapped teeth, not bites. However, it’s now possible to pair Invisalign with elastics to bring the jaws into alignment.
It works like this: a patient wears their aligners like normal, but on certain teeth (usually just one on each row), we place small metal brackets. These will be connected by a rubber elastic, and over time, it will gently “pull” the jaws into alignment as the teeth are being adjusted. This approach has been successfully used for decades with braces, and now, your orthodontist in Powell can utilize it to help adults correct bite problems while still enjoying all of the unique benefits of Invisalign.
Could Invisalign help you?
If you’d like to know whether or not Invisalign is the right solution for your bite, then we invite you to schedule a FREE consultation here at Shirck Orthodontics. We’ll give you a brief exam, let you know if you’re a good candidate for the treatment, and we can even show you what your teeth will look like AFTER Invisalign thanks to our iTero digital scanner.
Invisalign has already helped countless people get the smiles of their dreams without having to wear metal braces, and if you have bite issues, it just might be exactly what you need. To learn more about Invisalign or schedule your FREE consultation, give us a call today.