16 May

Can You Get Invisalign with Missing Teeth?

Are you thinking about straightening your teeth, but worried you aren’t eligible for Invisalign treatment? Whether you have one or more missing teeth, you can still get Invisalign clear aligners. At Lifetime Family Dental, we have experience transforming the smiles of Arizona residents with a wide range of cosmetic and restorative dental treatments. Continue reading to learn more about Invisalign and how it works with missing teeth. 

Who Is a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Invisalign can treat mild cases of malocclusion, such as crooked or gapped teeth, overbite, underbite, and other bite alignment issues. In order to fix these issues, treatment involves wearing clear aligner trays for 22 hours each day. In order to gradually shift your teeth, every few weeks you will switch to a new pair of trays with a slightly adjusted alignment. 

A good candidate for Invisalign treatment is someone who:

• Is a teen or an adult.
• Has a mild case of malocclusion.
• Can commit to wearing their clear aligners for the entire length of treatment.
• And can follow the care and cleaning instructions for clear aligners closely.

Can Invisalign Fix Gaps from Missing Teeth?

Having missing teeth due to injury or gum disease does not disqualify you from Invisalign treatment, but keep in mind that Invisalign is not a long-term solution for missing teeth. Invisalign can fix gaps caused by erupted wisdom teeth after their extraction, but treatment cannot fix gaps from other missing teeth.

It’s better to fix the gap left by missing teeth by inserting a replacement tooth to prevent further dental issues. Depending on the number of missing teeth, dental implants or bridges are the best replacements for missing teeth. However, you may need Invisalign first to straighten your existing teeth and prepare your mouth for tooth replacement. 

Why Should You Replace Missing Teeth?

If you don’t replace your missing teeth right away, it can cause a variety of problems that may result in further tooth loss. For example, the existing teeth surrounding the gap become more exposed to plaque buildup, increasing your risk of tooth decay and gum disease. And without the root of a tooth to stimulate the bone, your jaw becomes weak and unable to support the rest of your teeth.

Plus, tooth replacement becomes more difficult the longer you wait. As your teeth shift over time, the gap left by the missing tooth can become too small to fit a new replacement tooth. Crooked teeth nearby can also affect tooth replacement. Luckily, Invisalign can shift your teeth back to their original positions in order to create room for the replacement tooth.  

How Invisalign Works with Missing Teeth

When you have missing teeth during an Invisalign treatment, a false tooth may need to be placed into your aligners to fill the missing space. This ensures that there is ample room left for your replacement tooth at the end of treatment. However, depending on the severity of your malocclusion and number of missing teeth, your dentist may recommend placing a dental implant before you begin treatment. 

Invisalign Treatment in Gilbert, Arizona

At Lifetime Family Dental in Gilbert, we’ll help you find the best solution for your missing teeth. If you want Invisalign but have missing teeth, we can help you determine whether or not you need to replace your missing teeth in order for your treatment to be effective. If you have any questions or would like to schedule an appointment, give us a call at 480-558-4331 today.

Images used under creative commons license – commercial use (5/16/2022). Photo by Diana Polekhina on Unsplash