Can Invisalign Widen Smile and Move Teeth Forward?

I am 51 years old. My braces came off 2 years ago; had 4 extractions. My teeth don't look bad, however, they are too far back, my arch is too narrow, & top lip droops because not supported well. Prior to braces I had an overbite but a big pretty smile and I want to try and get it back. I was wondering if invisalign could widen my smile and/or bring my teeth more forward? What are my other options besides surgery? What about opening spaces & implants? I also have small gaps between back teeth.

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1 Doctor Answer | Asked by Sacgirl in Sacramento, CA

Doctor Answers (1)
Community Comments (10)

Use Invisalign to widen your upper arch then get...

6 Veneers to fill the gaps and get the smile you want..You'll only be pushing out your upper 6 teeth and leaving spaces between them for the veneers. There are computer imaging labs out there that could show you your approx. end result....Dr Thomas

Comments (10)

NLIZZZ 6 Mar 2013

I discovred a book by Kent Lauson : Straight talk about crooked teeth. Seems he can fix this problem with expanders without surgery. Its called Functional Orthodontics

599220anon 6 Mar 2013

Thanks for sharing the information. What about those whose teeth have been extracted? Does doc Lauson offer any treatments to move the teeth forward?

NLIZZZ 6 Mar 2013

Yes he does. So much so that the 4 teeth can be replaced with inplants when he's done! You can email him he is very kind. See examples in his book :straight talk about crooked teeth" Im flying from south africa to see him.

599220anon 6 Mar 2013

Does he give out quote in his emails? I am trying to get a ball park of the cost.

599220anon 6 Mar 2013

I''m also a victim to braces with 4 extracted teeth. Thanks for posting this question, I'll keep an eye on this post, and hoping for more replies from the doctors. And I second that they should be upfront about this before hands.

jill1959 2 Nov 2012

I would love to know how thing's worked out for you. I am 53 and had my braces removed 18 months ago. A few teeth were pulled prior. Now I have age progression with a droopy upper lip, recessed smile, and subsequently, wrinkles! I am devastated! My ortho says he cannot help me. I would love to have my old smile back. :(

Sacgirl 2 Nov 2012

Yes, that's pretty much my story. I have not pursued any additional treatments. I think overtime my teeth have moved a little bit forward again. I don't think they look as bad as in the beginning. Honestly, I don't think about it as much anymore but I obsessed over it for years and probably saw a dozen orthodontist. I would have done something about it if I really knew it would work but I don't have money to throw away. I don't have a whole lot of confidence in these people. I'm so sorry some else has to go through this. They really need to explain this to people BEFORE treatment. This has to be a fairly common occurance. If you find any treatment, let me know. Why does your ortho say he can't to anything about it?

jill1959 2 Nov 2012

The ortho got very defensive. I saw a plastic surgeon and he said some older people should not get orthodontics as it causes age progression. I have been trying to deal with it the past 18 months but just can't get past it. I spent 4500k for this??? Ortho's should send older pt's for a plastic consult first as in some people it can drastically alter your features. Thanks for replying and I will keep you updated. Don't know where else to go except here.

NLIZZZ 16 Jan 2013

I am 35 and have EXACTLY the same problem, after extractions& braces. Devastated too. Old granny profile with no upper lip support, wrinkles next to mouth, recessed smile. Did Dr Thomas answer your question ? I cannot really see which options we have ?? Please mail me if you can ?

NLIZZZ 6 Mar 2013

In ALL cases extractions will drastically alter the features. Most people just do not connect the dots. Read Kent Lauson's book, Please keep us posted xx