Invisalign® for Gapped Teeth
Spacing issues can have a major impact on the appearance and health of your smile. Thankfully, there are many options for treatment. Traditional braces may have been the go-to option in the past, but today more dentists and patients pick Invisalign®. Invisalign® is an alternative to traditional braces sometimes called invisible orthodontics; the treatment uses clear plastic aligner trays (essentially custom retainers) to shift teeth into place.
Dr. Stephen J. Malki has used Invisalign® to help countless patients in the River Edge, NJ area. His team would like to consider how Invisalign® can be used to help treat tooth gaps and spacing issues.
Problems Caused by Gapped Teeth
If you have tooth gaps, they can cause a number of problems affecting your dental health as well as overall smile aesthetics.
In terms of dental health, gapped teeth are usually a sign of poor dental alignment. This can lead to additional wear and tear on the teeth. Dental alignment issues can also result in teeth grinding (bruxism), which is the gnashing and clenching of the teeth during sleep. This can lead to fractures and jaw joint disorders.
As far as smile aesthetics go, large gaps between teeth can be unsightly. This can leave you feeling especially self-conscious about your smile. You may experience hesitancy about laughing, speaking, and smiling around others.
How Invisalign® Works
Invisalign® is an alternative to traditional braces that uses clear plastic aligner trays rather than brackets and wires. A patient wears these trays at all times except when eating, drinking, or cleaning their teeth. A new tray will be worn after two weeks to help gradually adjust the alignment of the patient’s smile.
Good Candidates for Invisalign®
Good candidates for Invisalign® are people who suffer from tooth misalignment that is predominately related to the position of the teeth rather than the shape of the jawbone and position of the jaw joint. They should understand the nature of the procedure and have realistic expectations about the treatment process and what it entails.
How Effective Is Invisalign® for Gapped Teeth?
Invisalign® is quite effective at addressing all sorts of spacing issues. Thanks to the design of the Invisalign® aligners and the two-week timeframes for wearing them, the Invisalign® process can easily shift teeth into proper position over the course of the treatment process.
How Long Will Invisalign® Treatment Take?
Most patients who undergo Invisalign® treatment wear aligners for several months to two years. This is essentially the same amount of time required for traditional orthodontic treatment. The primary difference is that Invisalign® does not affect your ability to eat your favorite foods, and they aligners themselves are extremely difficult to notice.
The Results of Invisalign® Treatment
Thanks to Invisalign® treatment, people who suffer from unwanted tooth gaps can have the straighter, better aligned smile that they have always wanted. The overall results will make it seem as if you have always had properly aligned teeth without any unsightly gaps.
Some patients will have additional cosmetic or restorative work at the completion of the Invisalign® process in order to make fine touches and finish the job.
Learn More About Invisalign®
For more information about Invisalign® and how it can benefit you, be sure to contact an experienced cosmetic and restorative dentist. The team at Malki Dental is here to help. You can reach our practice by phone at (201) 646-0800.
