Can You Use Invisalign with Missing Teeth? Understanding Your Options

If you are straightening your smile and missing a tooth or two, you are not alone; the good news is that you might still be an excellent candidate for Invisalign.

Usually, most people think that they should be orthodontically treated only when they do not have any missing teeth, which is not true. In fact, it could even be that the missing teeth could be part of the very problem. If you are hoping to straighten your smile but have missing teeth, this guide will take you through what’s possible and how treatments can be tailored to meet your needs.

What Is Invisalign, and How Does It Work?

Invisalign is one of the popular alternatives to traditional metal braces. It uses a series of custom-made clear aligners to move teeth into the right position. Rather than brackets and wires, these aligners are almost invisible, removable, and comfortable, making them beneficial for adults and teens.

This method treats everything from mild crowding and spacing issues to more complicated bite problems. But how do things work when the patient has lost a tooth or more?

How do Missing Teeth Affect Your Smile?

Not only is a missing tooth a cosmetic concern; it can actually have numerous implications on your oral health. When one tooth is lost, over time, surrounding teeth can start to shift into that space. This eventually turns into a misaligned bite, creates new spaces, and suddenly leaves the person with a jawbone loss.

Orthodontics, in many ways like this, are going to be beneficial due to such considerations. If well aligned, the remaining teeth would allow for the preservation of space to include restorations (like implants or bridges). Thus, it is possible that Invisalign would help take care of these situations.

Can You Still Go For Invisalign Even After Tooth Loss? 

Indeed, that all depends on the individual case in question. 

There are several ways in which one can use Invisalign in conjunction with missing teeth:

• Creating space for future implants or bridges.
• Filling small gaps induced by missing teeth, usually larger than those created by a small cavity.
• Holding a space where a tooth is missing so that other teeth do not drift into it.

In most cases, even your aligners can have a pontic—a false tooth built in. This would not only fill the gap cosmetically through treatment but also hold the space until your dentist can place a permanent solution. 

Such customization is what makes it most important to be treated by a qualified provider. An Invisalign dentist in Allen, TX, can evaluate your case and design a treatment plan that considers missing teeth and simultaneously helps improve alignment.

If you’re missing teeth, you’re missing out on getting straighter teeth and a healthier smile. The reason is that modern-age and customized treatment alternatives are available to make Invisalign part of your smile makeover, even if gaps exist. 

The best way to know whether you are a viable candidate to go through the treatment process is by consulting an Invisalign professional dealing with complex cases. Thus, if you are ready to know your options, book a consultation today and take the first step towards a straighter, better smile.