Five Surprising Health Benefits of Invisalign

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Most people seek Invisalign to improve their smile for cosmetic reasons. But did you know there are numerous health advantages associated with a great smile as well? Here’s an inside look at the health benefits of Invisalign for treating five common issues.

Invisalign has been proven to treat numerous dental problems, both mild and severe, from overbites to gapped teeth. While these conditions look bad, they may also cause oral health problems, including joint problems and gum disease.

Furthermore, the longer these dental problems go untreated, the higher chance they have of developing into more serious issues.

 

Five Treatable Conditions That Damage Your Health

What do the following five conditions have in common? Besides damaging your smile, each can drastically affect your oral health. Perhaps more importantly, each can also be treated by Invisalign.

1. Overbite – Dental professionals often refer to an “overbite” as an “overjet.” An overbite occurs when the upper teeth extend past the bottom teeth. Typically, the condition derives from genetics, poor oral habits or underdeveloped bones that support the teeth.

  • Health concerns – Gum problems or irritation, wear on lower teeth, painful jaw and joint problems

2. Underbite – Underbites occur when the lower teeth protrude beyond the front teeth. This usually happens from an undergrowth of the upper jaw, an overgrowth of the lower jaw, or both. Missing other teeth may also contribute to an underbite.

  • Health concerns – Prevent normal function of front teeth molars, tooth wear, painful jaw and joint problems

3. Open Bite – Open bites usually occur when some teeth cannot form a proper bite by making physical contact with opposing teeth. The condition is often caused by genetic deformed jaw structure or excessive thumb-sucking as a child.

  • Health concerns – Poor or painful chewing, speech impairments, thermo-mandibular joint disorder

4. Overly Crowded Teeth – Teeth become overly crowded when there isn’t enough room within your jaw for all of your teeth to fit normally.

  • Health concerns – Eventual severely cracked teeth, increased plaque accumulation, tooth decay, gum disease

5. Crossbite – A crossbite occurs when the upper and lower jaws are misaligned. This condition causes one or several upper teeth to bite the inside of the lower teeth. It can happen on the front and sides of the mouth.

  • Health concerns – Teeth wear, gum disease, bone loss

Not every case is the same. Just because you have one of these conditions does not guarantee that Invisalign will be able to treat your specific case. Only a consultation with an experienced Invisalign provider can determine with certainty if the treatment will work for you.

If you have any of these five problems with your teeth, they could be affecting more than just a healthy looking smile. Schedule a consultation with an Invisalign provider to see if the treatment can provide you a better smile, and a healthier outlook.