Are you contemplating an Invisalign Overjet correctional treatment?
To say that Invisalign changed the landscape of orthodontic treatment is a huge understatement. The convenience, practicality, and aesthetic appeal it provides really convinced a lot of people with various issues in their teeth to seek help and be able to smile with confidence. These clear aligners can fix almost every orthodontic problem traditional braces use to fix, from overbite, underbite, crowding, and even overjet.
Yes, you read that right, Invisalign aligners are actually used for overjet correction. How exactly does Invisalign treatment address overjet? Here’s everything you need to know about Invisalign overjet treatment.
First, what’s overjet?
If you ever heard the phrase “buck teeth”, then that’s the best visual explanation of overjet.
Overject is a form of malocclusion or “bad bite.” It happens when the upper front teeth protrude horizontally past the bottom teeth, which leaves a horizontal gap between the bottom and top rows of teeth.
In healthy, well-aligned teeth, both upper and lower rows of teeth line up nicely when the mouth is closed. The front top row of teeth overlaps the front bottom teeth slightly, with a tiny space between the two rows. In orthodontic terms, it’s called “normal overjet.”
In some cases, however, the top front teeth don’t sit nicely over the bottom set of teeth. Rather, it protrudes forward, creating a horizontal gap between the two rows of teeth. It could be because the upper front teeth are too pronounced forward, or the lower teeth are too far back. Either way, this is called “excessive overjet”. Often, the way the top teeth sticks out makes them look bigger and more noticeable than the other teeth.
People often confuse it with an overbite, but it’s actually pretty different, and for good reason. Overbite happens when there’s a vertical overlap of the lower teeth, and it often exists with overjet.
Neither malocclusion is dangerous. Both, however, can negatively affect one’s self-confidence and self-esteem. Subsequently, both can fast-track enamel erosion, and even cause jaw pain and speech disorders such as lisp, a form of speech impairment.
Causes of overjets
There are many factors that cause malocclusions such as overjet. The primary one is skeletal, meaning the problem started as a bone development issue, especially in the jaw and the dental roots. Secondly, it could be a developmental issue that resulted from the growth of the teeth themselves.
Also, as with other orthodontic problems, overjets can be a hereditary problem. Meaning, if your parents, grandparents, or any known close relative has this problem, there’s a good chance you may inherit it too through your genes.
Other external factors that contribute to the development of overjet include:
- Overcrowded teeth
- Late growth of adult teeth
- Prolonged use of feeding bottle and/pacifier
- Thumb sucking
- Excessive tongue thrusting
Fortunately, whatever the cause of the overjet, it can be corrected under the careful supervision of an experienced and accredited orthodontist.
Is overjet bad?
As described earlier, overjet, like many orthodontic issues, isn’t life-threatening. However, that doesn’t mean it is harmless. Malocclusions can have negative effects on your teeth, gums, oral health, and overall lifelong health, not to mention their negative psychological effects.
Overjets increase the risk of damaging the teeth. While moderate cases of overjet are barely noticeable, severe cases can make it extremely difficult to do simple things like completely closing the lips, due to poor teeth alignment.
Here are the common problems associated with overjet that you need to watch out for:
- Speech problems (slurs, lisps, etc.)
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder or dysfunction of the jaw joint
- Discomfort or pain while eating
- Difficulty chewing, biting, and swallowing
- Irregular facial appearance
- Inability to fully close lips
- Embarrassment when smiling
- Trouble sleeping
- Broken or chipped teeth
- Tooth decay and gum problems due to excessive buildup of plaque
Since these problems are cumulative, it is imperative that you address this oral problem as soon as possible. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children with this condition to see their orthodontist at age 7. While they may not start the orthodontic correction right away, they will be closely monitored to predict the future growth of their teeth. This is an extremely important step for early intervention which will make a better outcome for a child’s smile and self-esteem.
Common treatment options for overjets
As with other orthodontic problems, there are several treatment options for overjets. The best course of treatment of course, depends on several factors, such as the severity of the case, the opinion of the orthodontic provider you choose, whether or not there are other underlying issues that must be corrected, and of course your preference.
Whatever orthodontic treatment you choose, make sure you get your overjet corrected by a legitimate, qualified, licensed, and experienced orthodontist. To get the best results and avoid any mishaps along the way, the treatment should include in-person supervision.
Here are the common treatment options for overjets:
Braces
The good old traditional braces are used for a wide variety of orthodontic problems and for good reasons – it is still undeniably effective. Braces for overjets are usually made with a combination of metal and ceramic parts. The orthodontist attaches the braces by using small brackets connected by wires. This way, they can correct the teeth and set them to the right positions, closing the excessive overjet by diminishing the distance between the bottom and the top front teeth.
Certified orthodontists are fully trained to use braces to treat malocclusions like overjets. To get the best results, make sure you choose a dedicated orthodontist to conduct the treatment, rather than going to a general dentist for braces.
Invisalign
Invisalign aligners offer a new, convenient, comfortable, effective, and visually appealing option for correcting a wide range of malocclusions, including overjets. Provided the treatment is conducted by a licensed orthodontist, of course.
Invisalign overjet aligners are designed and patented by Invisalign, the world leader in clear aligners.
Invisalign is actually a form of braces that use clear aligners instead of metal and ceramic. The aligners are made with their very own blend of plastic, manufactured in their own facilities, which are based on the molds of their patient’s mouths. The clear aligners are made with a solid piece of plastic strong enough to provide needed pressure on certain parts and areas of the teeth to slowly move them to their appropriate positions.
The treatment uses a series of clear aligners all custom-fit based on the mold of the patient’s mouth. The good thing about this treatment is it is often faster (as fast as 12 months), with the predictable movement of the teeth, making it quite effective in treating malocclusions like overjets.
As with any other orthodontic treatment, Invisalign is still just a tool. For it to be effective, it must be administered and supervised by a licensed and qualified orthodontist. Thus, it is important that when you opt for Invisalign overjet treatment, you choose an orthodontist with years of experience in using Invisalign clear aligners to get the best results.
Surgery
Braces and Invisalign are often used for mild to moderate cases. For severe cases of malocclusions, however, conservative treatments may not be enough, and corrective surgery may be necessary to achieve the best results.
Oral surgeries are quite complex and are done by oral surgeons, with close supervision of the orthodontist. These two professionals will create the most effective treatment plan.
Surgical cases usually include three phases:
• Pre-surgical – done by the orthodontist to prepare the patient for the surgery
• Surgical – done by the oral surgeon
• Post-surgical – done by the orthodontist to finish the case
Treatment for overjet cases that require oral surgery can last up to two years, followed by retainers.
Retainers
Retainers are not actually used to correct malocclusions; rather, they are prescribed as a follow-up for the primary treatment. They are worn to make sure the teeth stay in place after the malocclusion like overjet is corrected.
Retainers are provided by the orthodontist after the braces or Invisalign treatment, and they are a necessary part of the whole treatment plan. They prevent malocclusions from coming back and keep your teeth nice and straight. Thus, make sure you wear your retainers as instructed by your orthodontic provider.
Is Invisalign treatment the best for overjet?
Whether you are suffering from the effects of overjets or simply want to feel better and more confident with your smile, Invisalign offers the best treatment option for a lot of reasons. One, the clear aligners are far more comfortable to wear than having metal, ceramics, and wires attached to your teeth. You can remove the aligners when eating, they are easy to clean and maintain, and food doesn’t get trapped on the aligners. Secondly, clear aligners are very subtle. People may not notice you are wearing them. Thus, they are by far, more aesthetically appealing than the traditional metal braces.
But is it the best for you? As said earlier, the best treatment options for you depend on a lot of deciding factors. You cannot make your decision on reputation alone. It’s a case-to-case basis, and your orthodontic can help you decide which treatment best fits you.
Is Invisalign overjet treatment effective?
Absolutely, yes!
Over the past couple of decades, Invisalign clear aligners have proven their efficacy in correcting a wide variety of malocclusions in adults, including overjets.
Since its introduction in the market in 1997, Invisalign completely changed the landscape of orthodontic care. It provided a fresh, innovative, and practical solution for straightening teeth and correcting bite and malocclusion problems. Over the years, they have expanded their catalog of treatments. Today, the aligners are fully capable of correcting complex oral issues like overbite, underbite, overjet, and more. People now have a different choice other than the good-old braces.
Orthodontists use Invisalign’s proprietary technology program called “Smartforce”. This allows them to perfectly customize the aligners based on each individual’s condition. Smartforce is tiny tooth-colored devices attached and fixed to the teeth during the treatment. They allow intricate movements of the teeth, all without compromising the low profile of the plastic aligners.
Orthodontists can also use standard dental appliances along with the Invisalign to reinforce the treatment, such as the elastics. In some cases, they can also use additional procedures like tooth shaving throughout the entire treatment course of Invisalign. All these things make Invisalign treatment a comprehensive system, fully capable of providing the best corrective procedure, even for severe cases of overjets.
How long does it take for Invisalign to correct the overjet?
The duration of clear aligner treatment varies depending on the severity of the malocclusion, the experience of the orthodontic treatment provider, and the patient’s compliance with the treatment. While clear aligners indeed take time to correct overjets, the treatment could last for as short as six months, to as long as 20 months. In some cases, the treatment could last up to 24 months. In many cases, Invisalign treatments yield faster results than traditional braces, even for excessive overjet problems.
Also, this is why it is imperative to choose a provider with great experience in administering Invisalign treatments. In many cases, good providers can speed up the process.
Subsequently, for best results, make sure you follow the instructions to the dot. Meaning, listen to your orthodontist – brush your teeth before putting back the aligners, change the elastics regularly, and more importantly, wear the aligners as much as possible, especially at night. Remember that the aligners only work when they are in your mouth. For on-time results, the aligners must be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day.
What’s the typical treatment timeline for Invisalign?
Again, this varies from different factors. However, the basic timeline for most cases include:
• Consultation – Dental history is discussed with the orthodontist. X-ray and 3D images are taken. Establishment of the diagnosis and course of treatment is agreed upon.
• 2 to 4 weeks – The first set of clear aligners arrive. Your orthodontist will teach you how to wear it, along with special instructions on how to properly take care of the plastic aligners and your teeth. He will also adjust the fit if necessary.
• 6 to 36 months – To track the progress and to make sure your teeth are moving in the right direction, you will need to visit your orthodontist every month or every three months. Your orthodontist will also give you your next series of aligners.
• Post-treatment – After the treatment, you will be prescribed to wear special retainers to ensure the teeth don’t move out from their position. These are usually worn at night for 6 to 12 months. In some cases, they must be worn longer.
How much does Invisalign overjet treatment cost?
Again, this depends on the severity of the condition. Typically, Invisalign treatments will cost anywhere from $2,400 to $9,000. This usually includes everything, from x-ray to post-treatment. Most clinics offer payment plans that can divide the cost throughout the duration of the treatment. Many insurance providers also cover Invisalign treatments.