Rotate Canines, Will Invisalign Work?

While Invisalign has a more difficult time rotating teeth, it CAN be done.  With the new attachment designs and better software, these are becoming more easy to do.  It may take longer to complete treatment, but it CAN work. A general rule of thumb is less than 45 degrees rotation is predictable, more than that is when we start to think twice.

Sometimes cases require using a wire for a short period of time and then complete treatment with Invisalign.

You might be just fine.

Hi Shona,

First be positive and committed to wearing aligners 22+ hours a day.  We have treated worse cases that your situation with great outcome.  Attachments will certainly help especially if they are of proper design and thickness.  You will get used to them.  What’s most important is that your attachments always fall into proper space as you change into next aligner. If you do not have a good fit, you need to wait and see your invisalign provider.  If you do not get a good fit, they need to remove and replace that attachment in any future aligner.  We use some of our own techniques such as lingual attachments as well as use of tiny elastics from tooth to tooth held by one attachment to another to help with rotation.  I will be more than happy to explain this technique to your invisalign provider should the need arise as its not taught by Align.  I am sure your provider is very experienced but as the top provider treating some of the most difficult cases in US approaching our 2000 case mark, we will be more than happy to help you or your invisalign doctor.  Good luck.

You've started your Invisalign treatment so now is the time to be optimistic and dedicate yourself to wearing the aligners at least 22 hours per day.  Having done braces for 23 years, and Invisalign for 11 years, I feel confident in saying that rotating canines is one of the things Invislign is not as good at doing as braces.  This means that results are a bit unpredictable, even with the new attachments Invisalign has introduced.  One thing for sure; if you want the best results follow the instructions of your doctor.  Feel free to ask  your doctor about doing a refinement or mid-course correction to get the best possible result.