Straight Teeth in Less Time
Customizing Invisalign Braces: 3 Reasons To Leave Open Spacing In The Arch
Lois Murray
If you're amongst the 20% of the population that does not have a proper bite and would like to correct this issue in a discrete manner, you can't go wrong with Invisalign, as the braces are basically invisible. Others won't even be able to notice. With that said, each brace or mold needs to be customized and tailored to each patient. This gives you a lot of room to adjust and customize the spacing of both the upper and lower arch. While most patients ideally want closed spacing results, the following three special circumstances may be better off with open spacing.
Planned Placement of an Implant
If you have one or more missing teeth, spacing alignment and bite correction may not be your only worries. Although you can get dental implants before braces, some dentists recommend correcting the bite first, as repositioning the implants at a later time can be rather difficult and tedious since the implants are firmly secured to the jawbone.
If you plan on getting dental implants afterwards, make sure that you leave enough space for the implants to be surgically installed. You can accomplish this by designing Invisalign braces with an open space in the arch.
Tooth Size Discrepancy Correction
Even if your teeth are the correct shape or are in the correct position, tooth size discrepancies can lead to an unattractive smile. You can easily apply veneers to the outer surface of your teeth to correct size discrepancies; however, you'll need to leave enough space for the veneers to fit. Leave open spacing around teeth that are smaller than its nearby neighbors, so that veneers can be easily applied in the future.
Restoration of Peg-Shaped Incisors
Peg-shaped incisors are classified as incisors that have an incisal mesiodistal width shorter than their cervical width. Surprisingly, this issue is rather prevalent and affects females more often than males. If you have peg-shaped incisors, the incisors can greatly impact dental function and appearance. There are several treatments recommended for this solution. A dentist may either apply composite veneers to the incisors in order to correct the shape, or, in worst case scenarios, may extract the teeth and implant an artificial one. Depending on which option may be most ideal, different amounts of spacing may need to be incorporated in the Invisalign design.
Conclusion
When deciding to opt for open spacing within either the upper or lower arch, you'll need to specify or determine with a dentist the amount of spacing that is actually required. Invisalign braces offer accurate and precise results designed to cater to your unique dental needs.
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I had braces when I was a kid. Back then, you had to wear those metal wires and rubber bands for what seemed like forever. When I saw that my child’s teeth were going to be crooked like mine, I was dreading the years of braces and orthodontist appointments and limited diets that I saw stretching ahead of us. I was pleased to find out that braces today are very different from braces when I was a kid. They don’t need to be worn for nearly as long, and they aren’t as intrusive, either. My daughter got braces that can barely be seen, and she can remove them when she eats, so she doesn’t have to give up her favorite foods. I was so impressed that I started a blog to talk about modern day tooth straightening techniques. Braces have come a long way.