25% of the four million people who wear braces in the US are adult braces wearers.
Teeth straightening solutions have expanded in recent years to include options like Invisalign. For many, Invisalign is a preferred alternative to metal braces.
Not everyone is a good candidate for Invisalign, though. Wondering if Invisalign is the right choice for you or your child?
Read on to learn more about the seven signs you’re a good candidate for Invisalign braces.
1. Previous Braces Wearer
Some adults choose to wear Invisalign because they were once metal brace wearers, and their teeth have shifted again.
When metal braces are removed, you are expected to wear a retainer to help keep your teeth in place. Over time, many people stop wearing their retainer.
As people age, it’s not uncommon for the jaw to narrow and the mouth to get more crowded. This can cause teeth that were previously moved with metal braces to return to their default placement.
Many adults who find this happening will opt to wear Invisalign to get their teeth back to their previously aligned placement to restore a nice, even smile. Invisalign provides an easy tune-up solution for the mouth that’s shifted.
2. Want a New Smile
You might have a strong desire for a new smile, and Invisalign delivers this without many challenges.
You will need fewer appointments than are required with metal braces. You can all but eliminate emergency appointments for loose brackets and poking wires that happen when you wear metal braces.
You need a strong desire for that new smile because Invisalign still requires your dedication to creating that perfect smile by wearing the aligners correctly.
3. Responsible
When you understand how Invisalign works, you’ll better understand the need for responsibility.
The only way the Invisalign aligners work is if they are in your mouth. It won’t work for you to decide you want Invisalign and only wear them sporadically.
In most cases, it’s recommended that an Invisalign wearer have the aligners in their mouth for up to 22 hours a day. Of course, it can be challenging with meals to keep them in this much.
It means the wearer needs to be committed to taking the aligners out as required, keeping them clean, and then getting them back into the mouth as quickly as possible.
A successful Invisalign candidate is responsible and dedicated to wearing them for the required hours each day.
4. Good Oral Hygiene
A good candidate for Invisalign candidate practices good oral hygiene. It’s essential to have good oral hygiene before starting Invisalign.
You want to be in the practice of keeping your teeth and gums clean. You also need to take good care of the aligners when they come out of your mouth and before you put them back in.
Both your mouth and the aligners must be cleaned carefully and with regularity.
Good oral hygiene is necessary to prevent infections from developing in the mouth and along the gum line, if the Invisalign aligners and the teeth aren’t cleaned well, the risk of infection in the mouth increases.
It’s also important to practice good brushing of your teeth when you wear Invisalign to prevent any bacteria from developing.
5. Age
It might surprise you to learn that your age can be a factor in whether you’re a good Invisalign candidate.
To be a good candidate for any braces, most orthodontists will recommend all permanent teeth to have come in.
It can be hard to predict how an adult tooth will come in that hasn’t yet arrived in your mouth. This can make treatment for braces more challenging.
To be a candidate for Invisalign, you must have all your adult teeth in place. This is the reason you only see Invisalign used on teens and adults. Their adult teeth have all come in, replacing baby teeth.
In some cases, if there’s a baby tooth holding on, it may need to be removed or have other orthodontic work done before going to Invisalign.
6. Current Dental Health
One of the first things your dentist will do to consider if you’re a good Invisalign candidate is to assess your current dental health.
You want to have a healthy mouth before beginning the Invisalign process.
Do you have any cavities or gingivitis? Do you have healthy gums? Do you practice good dental hygiene habits consistently?
If you have dental issues, your dentist will likely want to address them before you begin using Invisalign.
Since Invisalign will be moving teeth, filling in gaps between your teeth, or changing the alignment of your teeth, you want to ensure all those teeth are clean and healthy before beginning the process.
7. Less Obvious Braces
While there’s nothing wrong with wearing metal braces, they are quite noticeable. For some, though, they are the best option for moving teeth and changing the shape of the jaw.
Having said that, one of the most significant benefits of Invisalign is its low profile while in your mouth. Many adults and teens appreciate that Invisalign is hardly noticeable when the trays are in place in the mouth.
While a successful Invisalign wearer will have good discipline to wear them, they are removable as needed. Many adults appreciate this level of flexibility in the braces.
Know If You’re a Good Candidate for Invisalign
Before making the investment, you want to know if you’re a good candidate for Invisalign. You want straight teeth and a healthy mouth at the same time.
If you’re interested in whether you’re a good candidate, consider scheduling an Invisalign appointment for an evaluation and to learn more. Contact us today to set up an appointment to discuss your options for orthodontics and Invisalign.