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Can Invisalign Fix Overbite

Can Invisalign Fix Overbite? And How Long Is The Process?

Overbite is a dental condition common in many, with up to 70% of children showing signs of it. As a result, products such as dental aligners are used to fix the issue. One brand, Invisalign, is particularly popular. However, how good is Invisalign, and can Invisalign fix overbite? 

Invisalign can fix overbite more conveniently. This is because Invisalign is an improvement from the traditional wired braces, which means you can remove them for up to two hours daily. You can clean your teeth better this way as well. Invisalign is also invisible, keeping your smile natural.

This article explores Invisalign and how good it is at fixing overbite issues. We will also explore things such as how long Invisalign needs to fix overbite and if there are any alternative options to Invisalign.

What Is Overbite?

Overbite is a dental issue where the upper front teeth stick out from the lower front teeth. It could be caused by genetics, continuous sucking behavior, or teeth grinding. Treatments usually involve wearing braces to reposition the teeth and surgery to correct jaw misalignment.

Overbite is a dental condition involving misalignment of the teeth. It occurs when the upper front teeth protrude or stick out from the lower front teeth. Overbite in casual English may be called ‘buck teeth.’

Overbite is the reverse of underbite, where the lower front teeth stick out from the upper front teeth.

Many reasons may cause overbite, but the most common reason is genetics. Overbite can be hereditary and passed down from either parent to the child. Your genetics may also shape your jaw, which could significantly affect your teeth’ alignment.

Aside from genetic factors, other factors may also cause overbite. For example, children who engage in thumb sucking or pacifier use beyond the age of three are likely to develop overbite. Excessive nail biting and teeth grinding can also result in overbite.

Overbite generally does not cause major health issues, particularly if it is not serious. However, an uncorrected, serious overbite may cause multiple health issues and dental issues.

For dental issues, gum disease may happen, as well as a higher potential for tooth decay and cavities. Jaw pain or temporomandibular disorders (TMD) could also happen. Patients may find it hard and possibly painful to chew.

On a more serious side, uncorrected serious overbite could also cause breathing challenges or speech problems.

Depending on the patient’s age, treatment for overbite may be different. Children tend to have a softer palate and are still developing their jaws and teeth, so there are more opportunities to intervene.

As a result, children may wear palate expanders to help reposition the jaw. There may be removals of teeth to make room for the repositioning of teeth. Braces could also be worn to slowly reposition the teeth, with retainers to keep them in place.

For adults, treatment is often done by realigning the teeth. This means braces are commonly used to reposition the teeth, with removals done to free up the space. Surgery may also be done to correct any jaw misalignment.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a brand of clear dental braces made of BPA plastic. Invisalign consists of a series of aligners you wear daily to slowly realign your teeth. It can be seen as an improvement or alternative to metal braces, as it is less invasive, removable, and more comfortable to wear.

Invisalign is a brand of clear dental braces commonly used to treat dental issues such as overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, or overcrowded teeth. Invisalign was created because people wanted a better, less invasive solution to teeth realignment than simply using metal braces.

You may imagine Invisalign as a series of custom-made, clear braces that you wear over your teeth to gently realign them back over time. Invisalign can be worn by teenagers and adults.

Metal braces can be hard to keep clean and also cause your smile to look odd. On top of that, metal braces also picked up a negative image over the years, associated with bookworms and geeks.

Invisalign is made of BPA plastics, which means they are much more comfortable to wear than metal braces. They are also not permanently attached to the teeth, unlike metal braces. This means you can actually wear them and take them off when needed.

Your dentist may recommend taking off your Invisalign no more than two hours daily. During this time, you may eat your choice’s food and clean your teeth properly. This is an option not available to those wearing metal braces.

Invisalign treatment usually starts with a visit to the dentist, where you may have your dental and jawline condition checked out. If Invisalign is a suitable option, x-ray and 3D impressions of your jaw are sent to a lab. There, a lab technician would create your custom Invisalign aligners.

You will then wear your Invisalign over some time. You may change your aligners several times. This is to further realign your teeth once the previous aligners have performed their job.

Why Is Invisalign Popular?

Invisalign is popular because it is more comfortable to wear, less invasive, and is removable. This allows you to clean your teeth better and consume food or drinks that may not be possible if you wear metal braces.

There is a reason why clear dental braces such as Invisalign are becoming more popular these days as they come with many benefits. As a result, many consider clear dental braces such as Invisalign as an improvement from older metal braces.

More Comfortable To Wear

Metal braces are usually installed by placing brackets on each tooth, which are then ‘glued’ to it. A wire is then used to connect all the brackets, allowing the dentist to perform dental adjustments as suitable.

As a result, you may have to live with dental brackets and wires on your teeth for an extended period. The brackets and wires may feel cold as well. This may not be comfortable to many people, and chances are you will be too.

This issue is addressed much better by Invisalign. Since it is a plastic-based, soft dental brace, it does wear more comfortably. You also do not have that cold and metallic taste and feel in your mouth, giving you a more natural feel in the mouth.

Does Not Alter Your Smile

One of the largest turnoffs people have with metal braces is how they may alter your smile for the next 1-2 years. This is because if you wear metal braces, your smile will reveal the brace, which does not look natural.

On top of that, metal braces have somehow picked up a negative image of being associated with bookworms, geeks, and nerds. This makes many teenagers delay or refuse to go for overbite treatment, which may cause more issues down the road as they age.

This issue can be easily side-skirted with Invisalign. This is because it is a clear, plastic brace that, when worn, may not alter your smile as much as if you wear metal braces. Many people generally notice if you wear Invisalign, which may be a good thing.

Less Invasive

Installing metal braces can be a rather invasive experience. Generally, the dentist will attach brackets to each tooth before securing them with a wire. This may be uncomfortable to many and may feel invasive to the mouth.

With Invisalign, it does not feel like that. This is because no brackets or wires are attached to the teeth when wearing Invisalign. You only have a thin, plastic brace over your teeth. In fact, you can actually remove them if you need to.

Removable

Metal braces can be considered rather permanent. Once installed, removing them from your teeth will require professional work. On top of that, you will also have to wear them permanently, 24 hours a day, for years to complete the correction work for your teeth.

This is not an issue with Invisalign, as it is a wear-over brace that can be removed. In fact, dentists encourage daily removal to allow you to clean your teeth well. With metal braces, you need to brush your teeth with special brushes and things that may make it harder and more troublesome.

Being able to remove Invisalign means you may be able to indulge in food that may not be possible if you are wearing metal braces. You take off the Invisalign, indulge in your food, clean your teeth, and then wear back your Invisalign. 

Can Invisalign Fix Overbite?

With proper professional advice and application, Invisalign can fix overbite. This is because a proper dentist can use Invisalign’s adjustment capabilities well and achieve the result you desire. Invisalign’s effectiveness is also proven in medical journals.

Metal braces may seem invasive and ugly to some of us, but we can see how it works. There are brackets, wires, and dentists can adjust the teeth to get them to the right place. As a result, we usually do not question its effectiveness.

However, with clear plastic aligners such as Invisalign, we may wonder if it is sturdy enough to get the job done. It is, after all, just a clear plastic wear-over that looks more like a denture.

Generally, Invisalign does work in fixing dental issues such as overbite, provided you use it with the advice of a professionally trained dentist.

Invisalign is proven to fix many dental issues, with highly reputed medical journals reporting the same. However, the power and ability of Invisalign can only be used well in the hands of a trained professional.

This means you should only consider using Invisalign under consultation, advice, and application by a dentist. A professional dentist may be able to first assess your dental condition and determine if Invisalign is a suitable solution.

The dentist can then take the right information, such as an X-Ray or jaw impression, and send it to the lab technicians to create your Invisalign braces. The dentist can also advise you on how to wear these braces properly to achieve maximum results quickly.

How Long Does Invisalign Need To Fix Overbite?

With proper advice and application, it should take between 6 months to 3 years to fix an overbite issue. The actual time required for your overbite issue may depend on the severity, with more severe cases needing more time.

It makes sense if you look at Invisalign and are concerned about its effectiveness. It is clear, soft plastic braces, which does not give much confidence in its ability to realign your teeth. Fortunately, Invisalign is proven to work.

Generally, it may take between 6 months to 3 years to fix an overbite issue. This makes sense since braces are designed to gradually realign your teeth.

Braces such as Invisalign gently exert pressure on your teeth to move them to the right places. As a result, you may notice your teeth moving and realigning themselves better over time.

The slow teeth movement also allows the gum to adjust to the changes, which means you do not need major surgery to do so. The downside is that it will take some time.

Your actual time needed to fix your overbite issue may depend on several other factors, such as the severity of the problem and your discipline with wearing Invisalign.

If your overbite issue is rather severe, your teeth need to be moved and adjusted more, which means it will take more time. Invisalign is also a removable dental brace. If you are not disciplined enough to wear it as advised by your dentist, you will take longer to realign your teeth.

Compared to regular metal braces, Invisalign is slower and takes much more time. Metal braces may be able to fix your dental issues around 6 – 12 months.

This may also make sense in some ways. Metal braces are, after all, metal, which means they can exert a larger push or pull force to realign your teeth. This is compared to smooth plastic aligners such as Invisalign, which may not be able to exert that much force.

How To Get the Best Results From Invisalign?

To get the best results from wearing Invisalign, wear it for at least 22 hours daily. Remember to clean them daily and regularly clean and floss your teeth. When eating, take out the aligners and keep them properly in a case to avoid misplacing them.

When you start wearing Invisalign to realign your teeth, you will want to have the results you desire as soon as possible. Fortunately, this is achievable if you follow the tips below:

Wear Your Invisalign At Least 22 Hours A Day

Invisalign works by gently exerting pressure to move your teeth to their desired position. For it to work, you need to wear it as long as possible to achieve the best results faster. This makes Invisalign different from metal braces, which cannot be taken off.

Dentists commonly advise you to wear your Invisalign for at least 22 hours daily to achieve the best result. This leaves you with only two hours every day. You can use these two hours to eat and clean your teeth and braces.

Suppose you do not wear them as stipulated. In that case, the gentle pressure that may have moved the teeth slightly may not be there, causing your teeth to revert to their previous position. This means you would not be making progress on your dental realignment that day.

Clean Your Invisalign Daily

One of the biggest plus points for wearing Invisalign is that it is harder to notice. You could be wearing it and talking to people, and people may not even notice you are wearing it.

However, this means your Invisalign is clear in color. As a result, it may easily stain and pick up dirt if not cared for and cleaned properly. When your Invisalign is stained, it will carry marks, which may make people notice you are wearing one.

This means you may want to dedicate some time to cleaning your Invisalign whenever you are not wearing it. Use warm water and antibacterial soap to clean up any nasties that have built up from wearing it all day. Rinse in warm water and let them air dry before wearing them again.

Clean And Floss Your Teeth

One reason Invisalign works well is that it fully encloses your teeth. This gives it the ability to exert stronger force to realign your teeth. However, this also means the bacteria and nasties in your teeth and gums may also be encased inside.

As a result, when wearing Invisalign, you will need to pay additional attention to the general cleaning and maintenance of your teeth. Consider brushing and flossing your teeth more carefully during the period to ensure you do not develop any dental issues from wearing Invisalign.

Do Not Eat While Wearing Invisalign

Another thing to consider when wearing an Invisalign is not to eat anything while wearing it. This is because you may stain it or, worse, damage it.

Invisalign is a clear plastic aligner that can pick up colors or stains rather easily. This means if you drink or eat anything with a stronger color, such as coffee or tomato, the color may easily stain your Invisalign.

Another way you may damage your Invisalign if you eat wearing it would be from the chewing force and the food itself. Invisalign is plastic, which means if you chew excessively, you may damage it. If the food you consume contains sharp items such as bones, it may also scratch the Invisalign surface.

Keep Your Invisalign In A Proper Case

If you are to take off your Invisalign to eat or drink, consider keeping it in a set case. This prevents you from dirtying your Invisalign and ensures you do not misplace or lose it.

In many cases, your new Invisalign should come with a case. Carry that with you and store your Invisalign whenever you take it off. This keeps it clean and not coming into contact with anything else. It also prevents it from becoming missing.

Keep Up With Your Dentist Appointments

Suppose you embark on a teeth realignment procedure to fix overbite. In that case, you should expect it to be a long journey, with multiple appointments and Invisalign braces.

This means you should commit to keeping up with your dental appointments and wearing the braces as advised by your dentist.

Seeing your dentist as scheduled allows the dentist to monitor your progress better. Your dentist can also decide on the right time to create a new brace for you to wear to further realign your teeth.

Are There Alternatives To Invisalign?

Aside from Invisalign, you can also consider other clear aligners such as Byte, Candid, or NewSmile. These are at-home aligners, meaning you do not need a dentist appointment. They are also cheaper than Invisalign.

Aspects Invisalign Byte Candid NewSmile
Cost $3,000 to $8.000 $1,999 to $2,399 Around $3,300  $1,595 to $2,399
Treatable Cases Mild to severe Mild to some moderate Mild to severe Mild to some moderate
Progress Monitoring Dental visits Remote Remote Remote
Treatment Time 6 months to 3 years 4 to 6 months 4-12 months 4 to 6 months

As much as Invisalign is effective and popular, it has a downside. It is probably the most expensive clear tooth brace you can get, requiring around $3,000 to $8,000 in total costs. Invisalign is expensive because of the materials’ quality and because you need dentist appointments to use it.

As a result, other brands of clear dental aligners have come out, offering a cheaper solution by removing things such as dental visits. These are what are called ‘At-Home’ dental braces. You often receive an impression kit, which you can use to create a 3D impression of your jaw and teeth. 

You then send the impression back, and the dentists from these companies may assess if their clear dental aligners are suitable for you. If yes, you will receive your braces by mail, and you can start wearing them.

As a result, these alternative clear dental braces may be cheaper. 

Byte

Its cost and treatment speed make Byte a worthy alternative to Invisalign. As a start, Byte is cheaper than Invisalign by a wide margin, as much as 60%. This is likely achieved by not requiring in-person dental visits and leveraging imprint kits to get information about your teeth and jaw.

Byte also comes with HyperByte, a technology that accelerates teeth realignment time. However, this may make your realignment process a little more intense and less comfortable. Byte suggests around 4-6 months of treatment time and a lifetime warranty on the results.

NewSmile

NewSmile may be the cheapest option here in the list. This may make sense, as it could be seen as the mildest teeth realignment braces available. Prices start at only $1,595, which is much cheaper than Invisalign.

It also has a unique brace that only sits on your teeth and not your gums, making it more comfortable. Reviews online indicate NewSmile as an option if you have mild realignment issues, which you want to consider before trying.

Candid

If you find the no in-person dentist approach from Byte a little uncomfortable but full dental visits from Invisalign expensive, check out Candid. It uses a hybrid format, allowing you to interact with a professional orthodontist without the frequent visits Invisalign needs. 

As a result, it is also cheaper than Invisalign by a large margin. Rather than taking a dental impression at home, you will visit a proper dentist certified by Candid to perform a suitability assessment. After that, things are done online and by mail, making it easier for you

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