Invisalign has been a popular form of orthodontic correction for a long time, the aligners work along a similar principle to traditional braces using pressure over time to correct alignment issues. Overbites are a very common problem found among our patients. In the past it’s been reported that aligner methods such as Invisalign in Glasgow aren’t as good or quick at correcting these problems as other types of braces, but we at Smile Dental Care don’t believe this to be true. Here’s all you need to know on Invisalign and overbites.

What is an overbite?

Overbites are when your top teeth go further and jut out above your bottom teeth. Lots of people have slight overbites and this is usually nothing to worry about, but some people have a more severe one that needs correcting through orthodontic treatment – such as Invisalign in Glasgow.

How Invisalign corrects an overbite

Unlike other forms of orthodontics, Invisalign is special as it’s far less obvious to the human eye, and for the most part is far more comfortable too. Invisalign consists of custom-made aligner trays that are totally removable. You must wear the trays for a minimum of twenty-two hours per day for them to work at their maximum potential. As you work through the procedure you will switch the trays for new ones every one to two weeks, and it’s the pressure from the new trays that will begin to move the teeth into a new position.

Does treating an overbite with Invisalign take a long time?

Just as with any other form of brace, how long Invisalign takes will greatly depend on the severity of the correction needed. But as a general rule most patients can expect to wear their Invisalign in Glasgow for anywhere between six months to two years. If you are removing your aligners for more than two hours a day this will impact the time taken to see improvements. After you complete the treatment plan you will still need to wear a retainer system at night to keep your teeth in their new position. Retainers give your jaw the time needed to get your bone and tissue able to keep your teeth in place, in most cases it’s recommended to wear retainers every night, how long depends on the individual case.

Will I need to use rubber bands with Invisalign?

With some orthodontic treatments you may have noticed patients having rubber bands attached to their brace. This applies extra pressure on the teeth to help them move quicker. It is sometimes used in the Invisalign system too. Our dentist will use a tooth-matching bonding substance to create button-like latches that will have the bands attached to them. This is commonly used when working on improving a bite.

Invisalign or traditional braces?

There are pros and cons to all types of orthodontic treatment and as already mentioned every case comes down to the individual, when you come and see us at our practice for your initial assessment our dentist will be able to discuss which option they think is best for you.