Can Invisalign Help Bring Down a Canine Tooth?

Question

I had braces on for over 2 years and I just got them off back in December. I've been wearing my retainers as instructed, but for some reason one of my canine teeth is going back up into my gums... While I had braces I had oral surgery to bring down that same canine tooth because it was impacted. After getting my braces off, the tooth had been brought down and now it's starting to go back up for some reason. Is invisalign an option to bring this tooth back down evenly with the other canine?

Rob van den Berg, DDS, MS · Answer

Moving the tooth back down with an elastic is a great idea. You probably don't need Invisalign for this simple movement. Instead I would consider placing one button on the upper canine, and two buttons on the opposing canine and first premolar. Your elastic would form a small triangle as it stretches between the buttons. I would recommend wearing a clear overlay retainer over the lower teeth to prevent the lower teeth from moving also. An upper bonded retainer afterwards is indeed highly recommended. This kind of vertical relapse is not uncommon after guided eruption of an impacted canine. Good luck!

Carlo Biasucci, DDS · Answer

You can use invisalign to erupt a canine tooth, but it will need a clear button at the gumline and an elastic that will go over the tray to erupt the tooth, it won't come down with just the aligner, but it can be done.  You may need some form of a bonded retainer afterward to keep the tooth in place.

Jay Neuhaus, DDS · Answer

While Invisalign is very good in many situations, it is NOT good at erupting teeth. Unfortunately, you would have to go back into conventional braces. Talk to the orthodontist about some other form of retention, once it is brought back down into correct position.

Doug Depew, DMD, MS - Account Suspended · Answer

Invisalign is great in a variety of cases, especially at moving multiple teeth in different directions at the same time.  There are a few things it is not good at.  One is moving teeth up or down.  In your case you either will need to go back into braces for a short time, or use elatics to help bring the tooth down.  Using clear retainers, with the canine tooth re-set, as only a guide (rather active force) while wearing the elastic is also a good option.  The lower retainer will keep those teeth from moving.

Can Invisalign Help Bring Down a Canine Tooth?

Answers (4)

Answer: Invisalign is not the best to bring a canine tooth down

Answer: Invisalign is not the best to bring a canine tooth down

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Can Invisalign Help Bring Down a Canine Tooth?

Answers (4)

Answer: Invisalign is not the best to bring a canine tooth down

Answer: Invisalign is not the best to bring a canine tooth down

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Recommended reading

Everything you need to know about Braces

Our mission is to create a world where every investment in modern beauty is Worth It.