Not all of us are lucky enough to develop a perfectly straight smile. The good news is that if you have misalignment issues, a mouthful of metal bracket and wires aren’t your only option. Clear aligners can be used to slowly shift your teeth into their rightful locations. However, you may be wondering if they can address different types of bite issues. Continue reading to find out!
Which Orthodontic Issues Can Be Addressed by Clear Aligners?
Here are some common alignment issues that clear aligners can address.
- Crooked Teeth: If your teeth are crooked, clear aligners to shift them to be in a straighter, aligned position.
- Overbite: An overbite is when the upper teeth close too far in front of the bottom teeth. In many cases, clear aligners can move the teeth so that the top and bottom teeth align properly when the mouth is closed.
- Underbite: An underbite is when the bottom teeth are located in front of the upper teeth. Clear aligners can often be used to move the lower teeth back so that they naturally sit behind the teeth.
- Crossbite: A crossbite is when some of the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth. This can cause the teeth to chip and wear down. Clear aligners can often shift the incorrectly positioned teeth into the right place, resolving the crossbite.
- Open Bite: An open bite is when the upper and lower teeth don’t meet. Clear aligners can move the upper and lower into position so that they close correctly.
- Crowded Teeth: When there isn’t enough space in the mouth, teeth can overlap and twist. This is called crowding. Clear aligners can correct some cases of crowded teeth depending on the severity of the problem.
Which Issues Can’t Clear Aligners Correct?
While clear aligners are highly effective at correcting numerous misalignment issues, it does have some limitations. Here are some issues that could interfere with the ability of clear aligners:
- Undersized Teeth: If your teeth are short, round, or pegged, the aligners may not be able to get a good grip on the teeth, warranting another orthodontic option.
- Rotated Teeth: When teeth need to be rotated over 20 degrees to get into proper position, clear aligners aren’t able to effectively correct the misalignment.
- Large Gaps: If gaps between the teeth are more than 6mm wide, another orthodontic treatment may be necessary.
If you have bite issues, clear aligners may be the solution to straighten your smile. By scheduling a consultation with your dentist, you can find out if clear aligners are right for you!
About the Practice
At One Dental New Jersey, Dr. Shefat Rabbi and Dr. Samanza Ahmed work together to treat patients in the Edison community. With their combined experience and expertise, patients can get pretty much anything they need under one roof. To learn more about clear aligners or to schedule a consultation, visit our website or call (908) 409-0881.