| On this page: Using Invisalign ® clear braces treatment to correct: Tooth spacing, tooth crowding, tooth rotations, |
This page presents several before-and-after simulations illustrating different ways in which a dentist might employ the Invisalign ® clear braces system to resolve a patient's orthodontic maladies.
When viewing these pictures please keep in mind that our graphics are intended to be just rudimentary in nature. We've only illustrated changes for front teeth. We haven't illustrated the corresponding alignment changes that would be needed for the patient's opposing teeth. However, since it is the misalignment of a person's front teeth that is so often the motivator for seeking treatment, our simulations should be able to give the viewer an idea of how some common orthodontic problems can be corrected using clear braces.
Clear braces are typically considered to be an appropriate treatment choice for closing relatively small tooth gaps. As a general rule of thumb, the total amount of spacing involved, cumulatively, should measure no more than 6mm per arch.
Some cases that involve tooth crowding can be transformed into and then treated as a case where the bulk of the tooth movement involves space closure.
In this type of instance, the dentist will "strip" (narrow) the crowded teeth just slightly (either with their dental drill or a diamond-coated finishing strip). Invisible braces are then used to realign the narrowed teeth to a more perfect arrangement in the same amount of space that already exists.
C) Tooth crowding can sometimes be resolved with invisible braces by expanding the patient's dental arch.
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D) The space needed for realigning a patient's teeth is sometimes created by extracting teeth.
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E) Rotated teeth can be realigned using invisible braces.
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It is possible that a decision might be made to utilize Invisalign ® for only a portion of the patient's total orthodontic treatment plan. Treatment might be initiated using traditional braces, so to create those orthodontic tooth movements that can be difficult for removable tooth aligners to produce. Then, once these tooth movements have been accomplished, the case can be finished using invisible braces. Since both types of braces are involved, the total cost for this type of treatment plan would be expected to be greater than if the case was treated with traditional braces only.