Our Placerville dentists can treat most of the common orthodontic problems by using Invisalign. The result is significant improvement in smile quality and added benefits to the health of the teeth, gums and jaw. Using Invisalign’s digital technology, your dentist provides a “before and after” view of your teeth to help you decide if the benefits of the process are right for you.
Typical Conditions Treated by Invisalign
Crowded Teeth
This is an increasingly common situation caused by genetically smaller jaws, larger teeth, or a combination of both. There is just not enough space in the mouth for a full set of teeth. Crowded teeth tend to get worse over time and never better. Teeth can be turned, twisted and tilted so that they serve little purpose other than to hide plaque, lead to gum disease and create larger problems with tooth decay. Usually the most unsightly of the various conditions, patients are very pleased with the typical treatment outcome. Curing this condition may involve the removal of one or more teeth in addition to the use of Invisalign.
Overbite
Overbite develops when the upper teeth overlap or extend past the lower teeth. They may “bite over” the lower teeth, protrude past them (commonly called “buck teeth”), or both. In severe cases, overbite causes the lower teeth to touch the roof of the mouth when chewing, leading to severe disorders and pain. It can make eating certain foods painful, lead to excess tooth wear, and is a common cause of oral trauma in contact sports.
Crossbite
Crossbite occurs when the lower jaw and upper jaw do not line up properly. The deviation is measurable by comparing the middle line of the upper front teeth to the middle line of the lower front teeth. A significant difference leads to abnormal wear as upper and lower teeth fail to meet properly. Tooth chipping and bone loss are also potential problems. Crossbite is a common precursor to developing temporomandibular joint disorder (TMJ).
Underbite
An uncommon problem compared to the majority of malocclusions, underbite is typically due to a small upper jaw, a larger than normal lower jaw, or both. Besides abnormal tooth wear, underbite is another malocclusion that commonly leads to TMJ. If the underbite is chiefly due to jaw problems, surgical treatment may be needed in addition to the use of Invisalign.
Spaced Teeth
Large gaps between the teeth are usually caused by genetic factors. Abnormally large jawbones, unusually small teeth or the loss of one or more teeth can lead to excessively spaced teeth. This can lead to gum problems and periodontal disease if the gaps are not cleaned correctly. With good dental hygiene, most health problems from spaced teeth are preventable. The majority of patients correct this problem simply because they want a pleasing smile.
