Do you have crossbite? This misalignment issue is when some of the upper teeth get situate behind the lower teeth when you bite.
The condition can look differently for every case, depending on which of your upper teeth are affected. If you have it, you should consider having an orthodontist look over your teeth.
Crossbite can result in several side effects such as pain while eating, the recession of the gum line, gum disease, jaw pain, enamel breakdown, tooth decay, and headaches. If you do not treat it immediately and the case gets worse, it can eventually lead to permanent changes in your facial structure.
Thankfully, crossbite is not a serious dental issue and it can be treated. Of course, not everyone wants to deal with the permanence and hassle of having traditional braces. So, you may be wondering if Invisalign can fix crossbite.
When it comes to getting dental treatment, you must be able to gather all the facts to help you make a smart and informed decision. Invisalign is not a cheap orthodontic treatment – you need to make sure that it actually can fix the problem before you invest in it. In this article, we will discuss how effective Invisalign is for crossbite.
Can you get Invisalign if you have a crossbite?
Yes, you can get Invisalign as a treatment for a crossbite. Invisalign has been proven to be effective when it comes to treating a wide variety of misalignments and crossbite is included in the list.
So, if you want something less invasive and obvious than traditional metal braces, Invisalign is the best choice you can have for crossbite treatment.
How does Invisalign fix crossbite?
Invisalign technology has evolved since it hit the market two decades ago. Until now, it has retained its position as the best invisible aligner treatment in the industry.
Invisalign aligners will cover the entire biting surface so, your top and bottom teeth will not be touching each other while you are wearing them. This separation will allow a tooth involved in the crossbite to move into a better position without the opposing tooth blocking its progress.
Invisalign has what they call “smart force” attachments that are used for complicated tooth movements. These attachments are small enough to be barely visible yet good enough to work. The smart force attachments are placed on the front of the teeth. This has been proven to be useful when it comes to adjusting individual teeth that contribute to your crossbite issue.
Aside from attachments, Invisalign also has palatal expanders, elastics, and other procedures like teeth shaving to help fix crossbite issues. Because of this, your Invisalign provider will be able to create an effective treatment plan made especially for you.
Take note though that for severe crossbite issues, there may be cases where Invisalign will not be enough and surgery will be needed. Cases like these are usually caused by severe skeletal misalignment, which is very rare. For the most part, crossbite cases do not really need surgical intervention and can be treated with Invisalign.
To be totally sure, go to an orthodontist for a free Invisalign consultation and have your crossbite assessed.
How long does it take to fix a crossbite with Invisalign?
The treatment time for Invisalign would depend on the severity of your case. The more severe your case, the longer the treatment time.
For crossbites, in general, minor cases can be treated in an average time of 3 to 6 months. Severe cases can be treated in an average time of a year to a year and a half.
How much is Invisalign for crossbite?
There is no fixed rate when it comes to Invisalign treatment. This is because the total cost will depend on so many factors and one of the major factors is the severity of your crossbite. The more work and adjustment your teeth needs, the more expensive the total cost will get.
Other factors that need to be considered would be your Invisalign provider’s fees and your location.
It is no secret that Invisalign can be really expensive. Even if you pay with an installment plan, the monthly fees are still quite high. In fact, they cost more than metal braces most of the time.
You should check your insurance provider if they can cover part of the cost to help soften the blow on your wallet. Other options would also be to make payments using your FSA or HSA accounts.
Invisalign crossbite FAQs
Why choose Invisalign clear aligners?
Invisalign’s appeal is that they are hardly noticeable and they are removable. This is a huge improvement compared to metal or ceramic braces. You do not have to be so conscious about it because they are virtually invisible.
You can take your clear aligners out while you eat or drink or when you want to attend a special occasion or do a work presentation without being conscious about your aligners.
Invisalign is also more comfortable to wear compared to braces. The clear aligners are made out of plastic, transparent trays that save you from irritation in your mouth, which is a common problem with all the brackets and metal wires involved with braces.
What orthodontic issues can be treated by Invisalign?
As mentioned earlier, Invisalign can treat a wide variety of orthodontic issues. Aside from crossbite, here are other orthodontic issues that Invisalign can treat.
Crooked teeth
As you age, your teeth will start shifting into position. Sometimes, the shift does not make it correctly and can result into crooked teeth. Straightening teeth can be done with Invisalign.
Crowded teeth
This can happen because there is limited space in your upper jaw or lower jaw. The lack of space can make your teeth twist or overlap. Invisalign can address minor cases of crowded teeth.
Overbite
This is when your upper front teeth overlaps your lower teeth. Overbite can cause biting and chewing issues. Invisalign can correct this for you.
Underbite
This is when the bottom teeth overlaps the front teeth. Like overbite, this can cause biting and chewing issues and will also affect your speech.
Open bite
This is when your upper and lower teeth do not meet.
Spacing issues
Having gaps between your teeth is a spacing issue. This can lead to bad oral hygiene since food can get stuck in these gaps and will cause pain to your teeth and gums. This can eventually lead to gum disease if left untreated.
What can Invisalign not fix?
Like all treatments, Invisalign also has its limitations. For one, it does not have extreme force to move teeth like traditional braces does. Because of this, it could not handle any complex orthodontic case.
Here is a list of some of the orthodontic issues that Invisalign can not correct.
Intrusion and extrusion
Invisalign has movement limitations for front and back teeth. For one, they can not pull down or raise a tooth’s position. You will need metal braces to do more complex tooth movements because they can exert more force.
Large gaps between teeth
Invisalign can only close up to 6 mm of space. If your gaps are larger than that, you will be needing metal braces for extreme tooth movement in order to close up that gap.
Tooth position
For extreme overcrowding, if a problematic tooth needs to be moved more than 20 degrees, Invisalign will not be able to guarantee a proper alignment. You will most likely have to get braces to achieve the desired tooth position.
What causes crossbite in the upper and lower teeth?
In most cases, a crossbite can be heavily influenced by genetics. It is something people inherit from their genes. If your parents have weak teeth conditions, there is a huge chance that you may have inherited that.
In other cases, unhealthy childhood habits or oral hygiene can result in crossbite. Habits like breathing through the mouth, excessive thumb sucking, and excessive use of pacifiers are examples of these habits. Baby teeth are still developing and therefore can easily be shifted through these habits.
Another way you can develop crossbite is when you have abnormal or delayed tooth growth. This can cause teeth overlap whether it be in your bottom or top teeth.
Are there any other affordable orthodontic treatment options for crossbite?
There are a lot of other clear teeth aligner brands in the market today and if your crossbite is just a minor case, they can solve the issue for you in a way that is as effective as Invisalign treatment.
These companies like Candid, Smile Direct Club, Byte, and Aligner Co. have been offering more affordable rates for invisible aligners in the industry. They cost less because their treatment can be done remotely, meaning there are no office visits or dental professional fees to add to the cost.
So if you want to have the discrete look of Invisalign but you do not have the budget to pay for it, you should consider these home aligners – especially if you only have minor crossbite issues. They are not only cheaper but often times, their treatment time is faster too.
Conclusion
Wearing braces is not really the best thing to do when you are already an adult. It can really affect your confidence and self-esteem. Luckily enough, we now have clear aligner treatment solutions like Invisalign that can address orthodontic issues affecting two or more teeth.
Invisalign is a reliable treatment option for most cases of crossbite. If you have a severe crossbite issue, you should consult your orthodontist to verify if Invisalign can still work for you. Otherwise, you may have to use traditional braces or you may need surgical intervention.
Severe crossbite is rare so Invisalign work for most cases. If you think you have crossbite, consult your orthodontist to determine exactly what is your case and to see if you can get Invisalign to fix it.