What is Teeth Straightening?

Beautiful girl with a beautiful smile
Research indicates that almost everyone has something about their smile that they’d like to change. In many cases, this is due to a malocclusion, or misalignment, of their teeth. Teeth straightening options can resolve these issues, giving you a straighter, more confident smile. In this article, we’ll discuss your teeth straightening options at Normandale Dental, including traditional braces and Invisalign clear aligners.

Teeth Straightening Options

For many years, the primary option for teeth straightening was traditional metal braces, which involved placing metal brackets on the affected teeth and running an archwire through them. The archwire is tightened, which puts pressure on the teeth and pulls them into their appropriate position. The patient must visit the clinic every 2 to 3 weeks to have the archwire adjusted, based on their treatment progress. Invisalign is a series of clear aligners, similar to retainers. The aligners are custom-made to fit snugly against the teeth, applying even pressure across the entire arch. This pressure pushes the teeth into their appropriate position in the jaw. Aligners are designed to be switched every 1 to 3 weeks, depending on the patient’s treatment plan. The patient only needs to visit the clinic every 4 to 6 weeks to monitor their progress.

Who Needs Invisalign for Straighter Teeth?

Almost everyone has some level of malocclusion. While many people live with theirs, many others have problems such as:
  • Difficulty chewing
  • Difficulty speaking
  • TMJ
  • Excessive wear/tear on teeth
There are several different types of malocclusions that qualify for Invisalign treatment, including:
  • Crowded Teeth: Crowding refers to a condition in which there is not enough space in the mouth for the teeth to come in straight. This is a Class I malocclusion because it primarily affects only the front teeth.
  • Excessive Overbite: A normal bite typically features a very slight overbite. However, in an excessive overbite, the upper front teeth are too far forward compared to the lower front teeth. this is a Class II malocclusion.
  • Excessive Overjet: An excessive overjet is similar to an excessive overbite. The primary difference is that an overjet is horizontal, and an overbite is vertical. In an overjet, the top upper teeth protrude at an angle, not contacting the lower front teeth. This is also a Class II malocclusion.
  • Crossbite: A crossbite is a condition in which a few of the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth when the mouth is closed. This is also classified as a Class II malocclusion. In some cases, the front teeth are involved- known as an anterior crossbite, which can look like a partial underbite.
  • Underbite: An underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. This is a Class III malocclusion. An underbite may be dental, only affecting the teeth, or skeletal, which involves the jawbone. In some cases, an underbite occurs in conjunction with a crossbite.
  • Open Bite: An open bite is a condition in which the upper and lower teeth both protrude outward and do not touch when the mouth is closed. This is a very rare condition and can affect the front or back teeth.
  • Diastema (Gapped Teeth): Diastema is a condition in which there is a gap between two or more teeth. The most common form is midline diastema, which affects the two upper front teeth. Gaps can range in size from very prominent to barely noticeable.

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign clear aligners offer a variety of benefits, including: Transparent- most people will never know that you are wearing them Removable- no food restrictions or problems with oral hygiene because the aligners can be taken out Comfort- aligners are smooth, which means you don’t have to worry about the inside of your mouth being cut by the brackets and wires Cost- the cost of treatment is comparable to braces and many dental insurance providers are now offering coverage for them

Cost of Straightening Teeth

The cost of straightening your teeth depends primarily on the type and severity of your malocclusion. The experience/expertise of the dentist and the location of the clinic may also play a role. On average, straightening teeth with traditional metal braces costs $3,000 to $7,000. On the other hand, Invisalign starts at $1,200 for very mild cases of malocclusion (covers 5 aligners) and goes up to $8,000 for more complex cases (covers unlimited aligners). Many times, dental insurance will cover a portion of treatment with traditional metal braces. Some providers will cover treatment with Invisalign, while others will not. Our office staff will work with your provider to determine your coverage.

Invisalign for teeth straightening at Normandale Dental in Bloomington, MN

If you are interested in resolving your malocclusion, schedule your consultation with the team at Normandale Dental in Bloomington. Dr. Avi Matha will perform a comprehensive exam, including x-rays to determine the type and severity of your malocclusion. He will use this information to create a custom treatment plan. Our office hours are Monday through Thursday from 8:00 AM to 5:00 PM and Friday from 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM. We are located on Hyland Greens Drive. We look forward to meeting with you and helping you straighten your crooked smile.

Teeth Straightening FAQs

The team at Normandale Dental specializes in straightening crooked smiles. Therefore, we get a lot of questions in this area. We are happy to discuss any questions or concerns you may have at any point during your treatment. Below are answers to some of the questions we hear most often.

Does Invisalign make teeth perfectly straight?

Yes, Invisalign can make teeth perfectly straight. However, you may need attachments to improve the effectiveness of your aligners, or you may need more aligners than originally recommended.

Does Invisalign work faster than braces?

Research does indicate that Invisalign may work faster than traditional metal braces for resolving most mild to moderate malocclusions. On average, Invisalign takes 12 to 18 months, while traditional braces typically take 12 to 24 months.

Do you have to wear Invisalign forever?

After you complete your treatment course with Invisalign, you will be given a retainer to wear. At first, you will wear it for 20 to 22 hours, just like your aligners. After some time, you will be able to transition to only wearing it at night. This will keep your teeth in their new position.

Are teeth perfectly straight after Invisalign?

Yes, after Invisalign, teeth will appear perfectly straight. However, if your treatment is not going as expected, you may need attachments or may require additional aligners at the end of treatment to refine your results.

How long does Invisalign take to straighten teeth?

Invisalign takes an average of 12 to 18 months to straighten teeth. However, very mild cases of malocclusion may resolve with

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