Will Invisalign Fix my Overbite and Crooked Teeth? (photo)

Question

I'm 21 year's old and since i can remember, i've been self concious and insecure about my teeth and it's held me back from so many life opportunties. I even suffer from social anxiety and panic attacks from it because i'm too self concious about my teeth, i barely leave my house. Recently, i've become so fed up with them and need to do something about it and been researching alot about invisalign. So i'm asking anybody reading this, will invisalign fix my overbite and crooked tooth?

Raj Kumar, BDS, LDSRCS · Answer

I am afraid that I have to disagree with Brad.You have not mentioned your jaw at all, just your teeth.Do you really want to have fixed braces with or without surgery at this age?Looking at your pictures you havea narrow upper archlarge overjet where the 2 front teeth stick outlower incisors have overeruptedmildly shorter lower jawWith Invisalign you could have the back and forth approachuppers back/ lowers forth:upper teeth pulled inback teeth or arch widened by uprighting  the molarslower front teeth pushed down and a little outward to improve the appearance of the lower jawAs a last resort you could have 2 upper teeth removed to pull the teeth back even moreRepositioning the jaw is quite involved and arch expansion of the jaw is unstableGet an Invisalign dentist with experience to show you similar cases.

Brad Lockhart, DDS · Answer

Your specific issues (excessive overjet, crowding, anterior and posterior crossbites and underdeveloped upper jaw) are beyond the capabilities of Invisalign. There is much more to your specific case than just straightening teeth. You must address your underdeveloped upper arch, then you will want to bring your lower jaw forward (fixing your excessive overjet and improving your facial profile) and finally you can straighten your teeth. 

	Fixing the underdeveloped upper jaw is critical. This upper jaw is probably already causing an airway problem (difficulty breathing, snoring, sleep apnea, fatigue, sinus problems, etc.) which will only get worse with age. Developing the upper jaw will give you a broader smile, more lip support and eliminate the anterior and posterior crossbites. Without correcting the upper jaw it will be impossible to correct the posterior position of your lower jaw which further restricts your airway and compromises facial aesthetics. 

	Once the upper jaw is properly developed, the lower jaw can be brought forward to further open your compromised airway and give you a more beautiful chin and profile. Developing the upper jaw and bringing the lower jaw forward can both be accomplished with appliances (no need for surgery of any kind). The appliances are multiple and varied and are chosen by the doctor based on the individual patient and their specific needs. The appliances are comfortable and many are removable. 

	Once the upper jaw is properly developed and the lower jaw is brought forward then the teeth can be straightened using conventional braces that will be worn for probably a year or less.

	Whatever you do, do NOT allow extraction of bicuspid teeth in order to straighten your teeth. Some doctors will advocate extracting bicuspid teeth and then using braces to straighten teeth. You will get straight teeth but your lower jaw will remain overly retruded (compromising your profile) and your airway will remain compromised.

	Good luck!

Will Invisalign Fix my Overbite and Crooked Teeth? (photo)

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Will Invisalign Fix my Overbite and Crooked Teeth? (photo)

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