Big pearly whites, healthy gums, and well-aligned teeth (down to the smallest fragment of an inch) are the envy of everyone – including adults over the age of 60.
These aesthetic qualities are what people ask for when they’re longing for that sought-after, glamorous smile. They epitomize what people hope to gain once they’ve dedicated a lot of time and a lot of money towards a tooth correction plan, like Invisalign.
What if your teeth are on the smaller side, yet you also have gaps and spacing issues? Many adults are wondering if they’re even a quality candidate for Invisalign or any comparable brand of clear aligners.
This Post Will Cover:
1) How Invisalign can be used to correct visibly smaller teeth and gaps
2) What to do, should your clear aligners feel loose or if they’re positioned far away from your natural gum line
3) Whether or not your cosmetic dentist/orthodontist can make any adjustments, mid-treatment
Let’s dive in.
Is Invisalign A One-Size-Fits-All System?
No. It all depends on the measurement of one’s periodontal gap(s), a prognosis of their tooth anatomy, and their overall dental health. The good news is that a vast majority of cosmetic dentists and orthodontists offer free consultations.
Meaning it won’t cost you a cent to anything to find out. So it makes sense to schedule a consultation if you’re on the fence.
The important takeaway is that not all periodontal gaps are cause for concern. In fact, this article from Healthline defines the various ranges of periodontal pockets and addresses at which point the progression of a tooth gap should see immediate attention.)
A separate article from Aligners.co, explains how small or irregularly shaped teeth can be fixed with a combination of clear aligners and dental bonding and/or contouring. Expensive, nonetheless.
Once you can wrap your head around the out-of-pocket costs that come with a clear aligner treatment… you’ll want to prepare yourself for what’s to come. Such as:
- How your smile evaluation might factor into your length of treatment,
- If you should anticipate any additional non-invasive dental procedures (i.e. interproximal reduction and tooth extractions) and/or clear aligner accessories (i.e. orthodontic rubber bands and tooth-colored grips/attachments),
- And why it’s normal to have certain worries and fears when you’ve narrowed down your smile correction options.
Clear Aligner Therapy Still Has Its Setbacks
Clear aligners are produced at mass scale across the globe. Although the 3D imaging software and lab work system show promise, quality control and digital misassessments remain problematic.
For instance, these trays may occasionally ship out cracked, broken, or warped from excessive exposure to heat. Luckily, they're under warranty and most offices can expedite a new box for delivery without requiring you to pay an extra fee.
Clear aligner trays are also meant to feel snug against your teeth. The first few days with a new set of trays can lead to discomfort as well as some soreness, but always consult with your cosmetic dentist or orthodontist if they remain ill-fitting.
Digital smile evaluations only serve as a mere mockup of how your teeth should shift and align throughout your individual clear aligner process. Pesky teeth may take longer than expected to reposition and the scans do not account for cavities, gum disease or other periodontal changes that must be treated right away.
In the Cosmetic Industry, Nothing Is Ever A Promise
Using clear aligners is no different than trying a medically tested skin cream or beauty tool. Therefore, expecting the final result to correct more than just your problem area isn’t a realistic approach.
Some smile makeovers will be more drastic than others and it’s normal to have doubts. Complex cases could take extra maneuvering by your trusted orthodontic or cosmetic dental practice and that’s okay.
Rest assured, modifications are absolutely doable from start to finish.
Recap
Correcting your smile with clear aligner technology is a possibility, even if you have smaller teeth and minimal gaps. It goes without saying that you should do some outside research on clear aligner specialists in your area and consult with only Top 1% Diamond Plus Invisalign providers.
One paramount part of adjusting to your new lifestyle with removable clear aligners is learning how to follow a strict 22-hour wear schedule without skipping snacks and meals entirely. For clear aligner nutritional guides, including a FREE 4-day meal plan, visit NutrishMe’s Well+Aligned resources page.