Jennifer Smith, DDS

Your dentist is correct in that not everything can be fixed with Invisalign.  However, there are many problems that can be greatly improved with Invisalign.  In your case, the smile esthetics and alignment of the teeth can be greatly improved with Invisalign.  The severe deep bite is the part that would be impossible to completely correct.  There would be some improvement, but not complete correction.  You will want to look for an orthodontist that does a lot of Invisalign.  If you check the Invisalign website for providers, you should be able to find an experienced provider that can help you achieve your goals.

If the picture of your teeth biting together is your 'normal' bite, there would be great benefit to braces.  When your teeth bite together, your top teeth should overlap your bottom teeth.  Right now your teeth bite on the edges of one another.  This can cause chipping and wear of your front teeth over time and can be painful eventually.  Braces or Invisalign would be a great way to close the gap you are concerned about, make the teeth perfectly straight and correct the way they bite together in the front.  Most orthodontists do initial consultations for no charge.  I recommend you speak to one to investigate further.

Without having pictures or your age, I will answer in general terms.  With a 10mm overjet (usually called overbite by non-orthodontists) you have several options for correction.  If you are still growing, growth modification can be done with a variety of appliances.  The benefit of this is that no teeth have to be taken out and your growth is used to change the position of the lower jaw and teeth.  This can take as long as 3 years and also involves full braces.  Another option is the removal of 2 upper premolars (usually suggested when you are no longer growing) and pulling all of the upper front teeth back. This closes the gap between the teeth but can cause the upper lip to fall back or have less support and that can be unattractive on some faces.  The only other good option that you did not mention is the use of braces in combination with orthognathic surgery. This is where an oral surgeon would move your entire lower jaw forward to close the gap (not done unless growth is complete).  The advantage of this is that there would be no removal of teeth, lip support remains good and the bony discrepancy is balanced. The disadvantage is that it involves surgery.  The best option for you would depend on the goals you have in mind and how long you want to be in treatment.  I hope this helps.

It sounds like there are a number of ways to address your concerns.  You could speak to an orthodontist about closing the space.  Your options for closing the space would depend on the size of the space.  Small spaces can be closed with aligners (Invisalign, for example).  Larger spaces would require fixed braces on the front or back of your teeth and can be metal or clear.  Replacing the tooth is also a good option (especially if you are happy with where the rest of your teeth are).  This can be done with a dental implant or a bridge.  A dentist or a prosthodontist would be the person to speak to about those options.

In my office, Invisalign costs the same as traditional braces.  The fees for treatment are determined based on the complexity of the tooth movement required.  Treatment that takes less than 1 year would be far less costly than treatment that would take 2 or more years.  The cost can range from $5000-$8000 (Canadian dollars).  In my area, most orthodontists do complimentary consultations and will give you cost estimates.  I recommend you get a few opinions and see where you feel the most comfortable.