While there are claims that Invisalign is 96 percent effective, it really depends on what you’re correcting. For most people, Invisalign is effective. But the reality is that it can’t correct every single oral misalignment. This is where your dentist might suggest a combination of Invisalign and braces.
For example, you might require an overbite correction or tooth extrusion. This often involves moving the teeth down and into place. But can your teeth move down with Invisalign, alone?
Find out all you need to know in this blog.
How Your Teeth Move Down With Invisalign Treatment
As far as clear aligners go, Invisalign is one of the fastest-growing and most effective treatments on the market today. By design, they apply controlled pressure on your teeth to shift them in various directions, with the aim of correcting misalignments.
Invisalign applies precision-point, planned pressure on your teeth to encourage their downward movement. Here’s how your dentist creates teeth straightening solutions to suit you:
1. A Custom-Designed Treatment Plan
Before you begin your Invisalign treatment, you’ll need a thorough consult with a dentist who specializes in clear aligner treatment plans. You’ll undergo an oral examination where your dentist does x-rays, and digital scans to gauge the extent of your treatment. They’ll discuss your teeth alignment options with you if you might need braces, as well as Invisalign to correct certain issues.
Your dentist then uses 3D imaging technology to create a tailored, detailed plan that outlines the movements of your teeth and how they’ll look once you’ve completed treatment. When it comes to the downward movement of your teeth, your Invisalign system is custom-designed to apply the right amount of pressure on specific teeth to encourage them to move down.
This pressure and movement of your teeth is very gradual, yet precise. Moving your teeth into the correct place can take anywhere from 6 months to two years with Invisalign, depending on what you’re correcting.
2. Precise Force Design
Invisalign trays are designed to fit snugly around every single tooth. This is how your dentist achieves a continuous amount of pressure and precise movement of your teeth. Through this continuous pressure, each tooth gradually moves into place over the course of your treatment plan.
If you have a tooth that sits above an ideal position in the arch of your gumline, for example, the evenly distributed force of the aligners helps to move that tooth downward, back into place. The use of this gentle, yet precise type of force doesn’t disturb any neighboring teeth, either.
3. Additional Attachments
You might require additional features to help encourage your teeth to move into place. Most of the time, this is a treatment your dentist will try before deciding you might need braces due to teeth movement limitations.
If you have teeth that need extra help being pulled down, your dentist will attach small ”buttons” to your teeth which provide extra grip and force for the aligners. In some cases, you might also need small elastic bands incorporated into your treatment plan. They help with particularly complex tooth movements.
When is Invisalign Effective for Moving Teeth Down?
Invisalign effectiveness is undeniable when it comes to correcting various tooth misalignments. But when is it particularly helpful in moving your teeth down? Here are some common scenarios:
- Correcting an overbite – when your upper teeth overlap over your lower teeth, Invisalign helps to pull your upper teeth downward, achieving a better-balanced and functional bite
- Correcting uneven alignment – when your teeth are positioned too high in the mouth, they will not align with the rest of your teeth. Invisalign helps to move your teeth downward into the correct alignment, creating a better tooth appearance overall
- Correcting a tooth extrusion – when your tooth sits above the correct position in the gumline, this is when you’ll need a tooth extrusion. Invisalign encourages the gradual downward movement of the tooth into its correct position
Let’s take a look at the overall benefits of using Invisalign to pull your teeth downward:
1. Improved Tooth Appearance and Self-Esteem
Everyone wants a beautiful, aesthetically pleasing smile. There’s no denying that crooked or misaligned teeth can cause many people to become self-conscious of their smile. One of the greatest Invisalign benefits is that it can realign the teeth in just a matter of months, improving their overall appearance.
This, in itself, is a complete morale booster as you learn to love your new smile. Not only this, but Invisalign itself is discreet and aesthetically pleasing. You don’t have to worry about wire, or metal braces as clear aligners are barely noticeable.
2. It’s Comfortable and Low Maintenance
One of the best parts of Invisalign treatment is how comfortable it is. Most people experience very little tooth pain as their teeth shift into place over the course of their treatment – if anything, only some mild discomfort.
Invisalign is also very easy to put into your mouth and take out when you need to drink, eat, or clean your aligners. Since Invisalign fits snugly around each tooth, this makes them extra comfortable and easy to wear.
They require very little maintenance except for a good rinse with warm water before you put them back into your mouth. This, itself, also encourages better oral hygiene.
3. Fewer Dentist Appointments
Since your Invisalign treatment plan is planned months in advance, you don’t have to make as many in-office dentist visits as other traditional means of correcting your teeth. For most people, you only have to visit your dentist every 6-8 weeks to check on the progress of your teeth.
This is another great benefit as it’s super convenient and saves you time that you might have otherwise spent commuting.
Considering Invisalign Treatment?
If you’re looking for a discreet, comfortable, and effective means of correcting tooth misalignments, we couldn’t recommend Invisalign enough. As you can now tell, your teeth can move down with Invisalign as a treatment, helping you achieve a smile you can truly feel confident about.
At Slone Dental, we specialize in a myriad of cosmetic dentistry treatments, with Invisalign being one of them. Our priority is to provide unique, tailored care to help you feel like your best self. Learn more about our Invisalign treatment today.
