Can Invisalign Fix An Underbite?

If you live with an underbite, you may be wondering what clear aligners can do for you. Depending on the severity of your underbite and misalignment of your teeth, your dental provider will suggest a distinct and specific course of orthodontic treatment.

So, can Invisalign clear aligners fix an underbite?

When your bottom teeth protrude in front of your upper teeth, this is considered an underbite. Invisalign clear aligners can gently move and shift the lower teeth back, so that they sit behind and not in front of the upper teeth. Treating your underbite can reduce speech and eating difficulties, too. In severe cases of an underbite, your dentist may suggest other treatment options, like metal braces.

Do you have an underbite? Keep reading to find out more about what Invisalign aligners can do for your smile!

What exactly is an underbite? An underbite occurs when your bottom teeth protrude in front of your upper teeth. This impacts your bite, how you chew, the way that you speak- and the appearance of your smile.

Depending on the severity of your protruding bottom teeth, Invisalign clear aligners may be able to shift and move the teeth into a more comfortable and aesthetically pleasing position. This will help push the bottom teeth back behind the front teeth in a natural way.

If your underbite is severe, your dental provider may recommend metal braces in addition to clear aligners for additional support during treatment.

Invisalign is becoming very popular for many reasons. These clear aligners have created a way for people to straighten their teeth, improve their smile, and build their self-confidence with ease, comfort, and convenience. This could be why over 12 million people have or do wear Invisalign.

Here are a few of the advantages:

• Invisalign is the perfect, discreet way to straighten your smile- in about a year, depending on the severity of your misalignment.
• Invisalign helps underbites, but also overbites- which is when your upper teeth protrude too far in front of the bottom. Both underbites and overbites can make it difficult to eat or speak comfortably.
• You have a crossbite when some of

Your upper teeth sit inside the arches of your lower teeth. This can be very hard on your teeth, causing them to deteriorate, wear, and break- but clear aligners can treat this condition.

• Spacing issues with your teeth may result in gaps. Gaps are problematic because food, particles, and plaque can build-up and get caught. Aligners like Invisalign help to close these gaps and transform your smile.
• How is your bite? Some patients suffer from an open bite, whereas their upper and lower teeth do not come together properly. Invisalign helps realign and fix open bites.
• If your teeth overlap, it is likely because your mouth is crowded. This could be due to a small jaw and mouth, but it creates teeth that do not have enough room in between each one. This can precipitate gum disease the crowding makes it tough to clean and floss properly. Invisalign may be able to help with the spacing and crowding- talk to your dental provider to learn more!

Your dental provider will determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign or not. Some severe cases of misalignment require the added support of metal braces but talk to your dentist to find out more.

As with anything, there are some drawbacks of Invisalign that makes them ill-suited for specific dental patients. Depending on the condition and severity of your underbite, you may not be a good candidate for aligners.

Talk to your dental provider to find other options if the following preclude you from Invisalign teeth straightening:

• If you have complex orthodontic needs, Invisalign or other clear aligners may not be for you. Significant shifting or alignment issues require metal braces usually, but you can talk to your dental provider to find out more about treatment options.
• The shape of your teeth has a lot to do with whether you can effectively wear Invisalign aligners. Some shapes that are problematic for this type of treatment include:
• Short teeth
• Pegged teeth
• Round teeth

It is difficult for the aligner to get a good secure grip on these rounded shaped teeth.

If your mouth is simply too crowded, you may not be the best candidate for Invisalign. The thing is, when teeth are crowded, some may start to shift and rotate to find room. Molars that rotate are particularly difficult to fit for Invisalign.

Another issue that arises from crowding is teeth tilting. That is, teeth will tilt backward or forward to find room to develop and grow. If the tilt is at a severe angle, Invisalign may not work at realigning them.

Significant gaps between your teeth may merit metal braces. It is reported that Invisalign is effective for 6mm of gapping per arch, either your upper or lower teeth.

Have you had a dental bridge? Old dental work, including bridges and crowns, can affect how well a clear aligner can straighten and resolve your underbite. Talk to your provider to learn more.

Do you have any new dental work, like crowns or veneers? This may make you less suitable for Invisalign. It is integral that your aligners fit you properly or they will not be effective at straightening your teeth.

You will be in a holding pattern during your Invisalign treatment, and any further dental work must wait until you are done with your aligners. Even small dental changes can impact your aligners and make them not fit right.

If you are planning on extractions either before or after your Invisalign treatment, this may not be the right solution for you. Invisalign is not typically appropriate for patients that need extractions- but talk to your dentist for more information. Do you struggle with eating or speech due to an underbite? Contact us today at Ammons Dental by Design to learn more about Invisalign and how they may improve your smile- and your overall quality of life, too.