Can Invisalign Fix Teeth Gaps?

 Dr. Kurtz | May 21, 2022

Invisalign was introduced to the world in the late 1990s. Since that time, it has become a popular option for treating a variety of dental issues, including crooked teeth, overbite, underbite, and diastema- which is a form of misaligned bite resulting from gapped teeth.

These clear aligners are designed to gently shift your teeth into their appropriate position, eliminating gaps. If you have one or more teeth gaps around 6 millimeters or less, Invisalign clear aligners may be a good option. If your gaps are larger, you may want to look into other options.

If you're interested in seeking Invisalign treatment for your teeth gaps, schedule your consultation today with Dr. Jeremy Kurtz at Invisalign Toronto. He has treated more than 3,000 patients and is a Top 1% Invisalign Provider. We have two locations to choose from.

Invisalign Explained

As mentioned, Invisalign clear aligners were introduced in 1998. The manufacturer is Align Technology. Since it's introduction to the market, more than 3 million people have used this treatment, which means it's the most popular clear aligner on the market today.

They offer several advantages over traditional metal braces, including:

  • Almost invisible
  • Removable
  • Easy to clean
  • Comfortable
  • No metal wires/brackets to cut your mouth

Your treatment will start with a consultation, at which time they will create digital images of your mouth and bite. Your first set of aligners will be made based on these images and each subsequential set will be made based on the expected progress. They are designed to shift your teeth 0.25 to 0.3 millimeters. Once your teeth are in their appropriate position, you will be given a retainer to wear to keep the teeth in their proper position.

You will be instructed to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours a day. You may remove them to brush and floss your teeth or to eat. However, they must be put back in after those activities.

These aligners are made from a flexible plastic material that has been FDA-approved and is guaranteed to be free from BPA, BPS, and other toxins.

According to the experts, Invisalign clear aligners are 50% faster and 75% more accurate than other brands of aligners. It is also believed that since they are made with flexible plastic, they are more comfortable and durable.

What Types of Teeth Gaps Can Invisalign be Used For?

There are several different causes of gaps between teeth. Invisalign has proven to be effective at fixing the following:

Midline Diastema
Midline diastema is a gap between your maxillary, or upper, and mandibular, or lower, incisors. This is where the term "gap tooth" comes from because the gap is most noticeable.

Tongue Thrust
Some people will naturally push their tongue against their top teeth when they swallow, which can cause a gap to appear

Thumb-sucking
Children who suck their thumb for an extended period of time could have gapped teeth.

Missing Teeth
Some patients are congenitally missing teeth, which can cause gaps- especially between the front teeth.

Enlarged Frenulum
Teeth gaps may also be the result of an enlarged frenulum. This is the soft tissue that runs between your gums and lips. It may become inflamed for various reasons. When this occurs, it disrupts the normal development of your two front teeth, which causes a gap. If paired with a procedure known as a frenectomy, Invisalign can treat this type of tooth gap.

Do You Have to Fix Teeth Gaps?

To be honest, you really don't have to fix teeth gaps if you are perfectly fine living with them. There are many people who have gaps in their teeth their entire adult lives. That being said, some cases of diastema is the result of advanced gum disease. If this is the situation you have found yourself in, you'll want to seek treatment as soon as possible.

How Long Does it Take to Treat Tooth Gaps with Invisalign?

Most patients who have tooth gaps find that they are resolved within 3 to 6 months- but some of the more severe cases may take up to 18 months. Of course, compliance plays a major role in this as well. If you do not wear the aligners as prescribed, they will not work as you might expect.

Benefits of Invisalign

Two of the major reasons that people choose Invisalign over traditional braces is that they are transparent, and they are removable. Since they are transparent, you don't have to worry about being embarrassed by someone seeing your braces.

Also, since they are removable, you can take them out when you eat or drink. This means that you don't have to worry about food getting stuck in your metal braces or the braces getting stained from your food or beverages.

There are a few other benefits of using Invisalign to resolve your teeth gaps:

Convenient

Typically, patients who have traditional braces must visit the dentist every 4 to 6 weeks, to have them adjusted. However, with Invisalign, you only have to visit every 10 to 12 weeks. Statistics show that patients who choose Invisalign clear aligners spend 67% less time in the dental chair than those who have traditional braces.

In addition, the treatment process is faster with Invisalign than with traditional braces- usually by about 4 to 6 months shorter.

Easy to Keep Teeth Healthy

When you have traditional metal or ceramic braces, it's harder to brush and floss your teeth. Food may end up caught in the brackets or wires, which can increase your risk of tooth decay.

If you have Invisalign, you can remove the aligner so that you can completely brush and floss your teeth. Plus, it's easier to clean the aligners.

Additional Benefits

  • Safe, medical-grade materials
  • Prevents bruxism
  • Improves smile
  • Comfortable
  • Easy to use

Cost of Invisalign to Fix Teeth Gaps

At Invisalign Toronto, Invisalign treatment starts at $2,900. This includes both top and bottom aligners, retainers, supervised treatments and a free consultation. Your cost may change based on the severity of your case, insurance coverage, and finance options. If you have a Health Savings Plan or a Flexible Spending Account, you should be able to use those funds to cover your Invisalign treatment. Our office staff will work with your insurance company to determine coverage.

How to Know if Invisalign is Right For You

For many people, traditional metal braces are embarrassing, distracting, and even unprofessional. Plus, they take longer to fix dental issues such as tooth gaps.

Invisalign treatment is much faster and is ideal for anyone with a mild to moderate tooth gap. However, if your gap is larger than 0.06 millimeters, traditional metal braces may be a better choice.

Schedule your consultation with Dr. Kurtz today. He has treated over 3,000 patients with Invisalign and is in the Top 1% of Invisalign providers. We can help you determine if this is right for you or if something else would be better. We have two convenient locations to serve you.

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