As you consider your teeth straightening options, you might wonder whether Invisalign clear braces can work for you. Whilst teeth straightening without metal braces is possible for many patients, it's not right for everyone. Read below to learn whether you might be a good candidate for Invisalign.

How Severe Is Your Teeth Alignment Problem?

Your orthodontist will evaluate your teeth alignment problems to determine whether you're a good candidate for teeth straightening with Invisalign. Most Invisalign candidates have mild to moderate teeth alignment issues. If you have serious alignment problems, your orthodontist may recommend metal or ceramic braces as an alternative to Invisalign.

What Kind of Bite Issues Do You Have?

Nearly any type of mild to moderate bite problem can be corrected with Invisalign, including: 

1. Overbite: when your upper dental arch overlaps the lower arch when your mouth is closed.
2. Underbite: when your lower dental arch overlaps the upper arch when your mouth is closed.
3. Crossbite: a crossbite occurs when one or more of your teeth are positioned differently (extending further outwards or moving further inwards) than its corresponding tooth in the other arch.
4. Crowded mouth: when the teeth are too crowded due to insufficient space in your mouth. You might need to have one or more extractions prior to using Invisalign if you have this problem.
5. Gaps in the smile: when you have spaces between some or even most of your teeth

There may be cases where the bite issue is too severe to be corrected with Invisalign, especially if your jaw is seriously displaced. In these cases, your orthodontist may recommend other orthodontic treatments to help correct your jaw placement before you proceed with Invisalign. 

What Type of Commitment Are You Willing to Make?

Invisalign requires a serious commitment to teeth straightening. Whilst metal or ceramic braces are permanently attached to your teeth—at least until it's time for your orthodontist to remove them—the Invisalign aligners are removable. You'll need to commit to wearing them approximately 20-22 hours per day. As long as you're vigilant about replacing your aligners immediately after eating and performing routine oral hygiene, Invisalign can work well for you. If you tend to be forgetful about replacing the aligners, it could greatly extend your treatment time and could make it more difficult to get the results you want. 

Still not sure whether Invisalign is the right orthodontic option for you? Speak to your orthodontic care provider about the things discussed above to find out!