Will Invisalign Work with Missing Teeth?

Posted by writeradmin

I have two missing bicuspids and one missing back molar. I would like to straighten my teeth with Invisalign but wondered if it would work with all of my missing teeth, which make me feel like I should be up in the Ozarks playing the banjo. I also have a slight underbite. I would like to avoid metal braces if that is at all possible.

Betty

Dear Betty,

Invisalign and other types of clear aligners usually do a great job with missing teeth. You will find some orthodontists tend to shy away from the tougher cases because their training is in the metal braces. However, general dentists trained in clear aligners, such as Invisalign, will have a better feel and ability to do your case. It will even be able to deal with your underbite depending on the severity of your case.

In addition to straightening your teeth, the clear aligners can also double as teeth whitening trays. Your dentist can simply provide you with the whitening gel that you’ll place in the aligners while you’re wearing them. It is an easy way to straighten and whiten your teeth at the same time, like getting a mini smile makeover.

I don’t think that you will necessarily need to replace the missing teeth. The dentist can help determine that. If you do need to replace any teeth, my suggestion would be a dental implant. This would be the closest thing to having a healthy natural tooth again. Getting a dental implant is not as simple as the Invisalign procedure. You would need a dentist who has post-doctoral training in dental implants. The dentists with the best qualifications are fellows with the International Congress or Oral Implantologists.

This blog is brought to you by Mt. Dora Dentist Dr. Michelle Stillman.