Can you use an invisible aligner with missing teeth?

Are you unsure if you can use an invisible aligner due to missing teeth or root canals?

Here, 5 queries about dental conditions that can and cannot impact the use of invisible aligners are answered.

Can I use an invisible aligner if I have missing teeth?

As many as 7 out of 10 people have a missing tooth or teeth. And many people are therefore concerned that they will be unable to undertake any kind of milder orthodontic correction, such as Invisalign St Johns Wood. But provided that there isn’t a row of missing teeth, and that the missing teeth are not due to underlying gum disease, your dentist may be able to offer you an orthodontic correction using invisible aligners.

Can I use an invisible aligner if I have dental implants?

Surprisingly, this is a viable option!

Many people worry that having oral implants will make orthodontic work impossible.However, almost all types of orthodontic realignment are compatible with dental implants and even if you have had multiple dental implants, there are still many options that your dentist will be able to provide to straighten your natural teeth.

Just remember that invisible aligners cannot correct issues with your bite, so should you want to straighten the alignment between your upper and lower jaw or move your molars, you will probably need to wear a fitted brace.

What about if I have had root canals?

If you have a historic root canal (over 3 months old), then there should not be an issue with using any kind of brace to realign your teeth.

However, if you had complications while having your root canal performed due to long roots, knotted or twisted roots, then your dentist may advise that there could be difficulty with moving your teeth.

If you have had a root canal performed recently, the general dental advice is to allow for a healing period of at least 1 month before undertaking any kind of orthodontic procedure.

Can I use an invisible aligner with gum disease?

As a general rule, dentists and orthodontists will not allow someone to undertake any kind of orthodontic or cosmetic treatment if they have underlying gum disease.

This is because when you move your teeth, they are going to inevitably wobble and if you have underlying gum disease, this can cause them to fall out altogether.

So, if you suspect that you have gum disease, please talk to your dentist about treating it and refrain from purchasing online aligner kits! There is no point in having a straighter smile that is full of gaps!

What if I have had veneers fitted?

If you have spent all that money having veneers (or even composite) beautifully crafted to give you a whiter smile, you may have concerns that using any kind of orthodontic tool will cause problems, and may even cause the veneers to fall off. The good news is that with invisible, removable aligners, there should be no issue! Provided that your dental team doesn’t spot an issue with you undertaking the procedure, there should be no issue with using a clear aligner when there is a set of veneers on your teeth.

Apurva Thakur

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