Question for Dr. Tam re: Invisalign

[melgreen]

Hi Dr. Tam - I wanted to ask you a question about Invisalign as I see you are very experienced with this form of moving teeth. I'd also be curious to hear if anyone else on here has had similiar problems with their bite and had Invisalign used as part of their treatment.

I've read that a bad bite can't be fixed with Invisalign - and I've had any ortho I've ever met with tell me the same. I'm just wondering if you agree? Also - couldn't someone use Invisalign initially to straighten their teeth and then get braces to change the bite - or would that increase their length of treatment?

Here is my diagnosis - from one of the orthos I met with - though I've had other dispute the Class III Skeletal and say that is not correct;

Class II Dental
Class III Skeletal
2mm overjet
2mm anterior open bite
Moderate lower crowding
Severe upper crowding
Bi-lateral posterior cross-bite
*Missing all first premolars (extracted for orthodontia which began in 8th grade. I am now 43 years old)

Thanks!
Mel

[MCOMarkhamOrthodontist]

Hi Mel. Much as I'd like to help you with your treatment, it is not possible to do so over an internet forum, since diagnosis and treatment planning requires so much more than a description. Your best bet is to find an orthodontist around that can treat your specific case to your satisfaction. Even if I could provide you the treatment you want, it would be quite difficult unless you wanted to make the flight up to the Toronto area every 8 weeks .

That being said, it is possible to correct class 2 and 3 malocclusions, as well as open bites, using Invisalign. Auxilliaries such as buttons and elastics, and even partial braces may be required to aid in movement. There are only a very small percentage of orthodontists that will be willing and able to do this, but I have seen some excellent results in these situations from a few of the top Invisalign doctors in North America as well as in our own office. Therefore, the question you should be asking is if there are any orthodontists who are able to provide your desired treatment with Invisalign, not whether Invisalign can correct bites. Remember, Invisalign is a technique, not a product.

Best of luck with your treatment!

[melgreen]

Thanks very much for your interesting response.

I did realize it was impossible for you to give me an accurate assessment or opinion of my teeth - just wondering if you'd ever treated anyone with similiar issues as I have, with aligners such as those made by Invisalign.

To date, I've met with 10 different orthodontists over the past 18 months throughout the NY/NJ area. Each and every one offers Invisalign, and each and every one said there was no way I'd be a candidate. In addition I also was treated by a Premier Provider Elite Invisalign dentist 2 years ago for TMJ pain. I spent a lot of time AND money with him making splints for me, which didn't do much for my discomfort. What did help was the removal of a bad tooth that I had root canal in - and had a hairline fracture that continued to bug me until the tooth was finally moved. That tooth plus stress in my life aggrivated my jaw. I also know my bad bite adds to the issue. Anyway - he too said, no way to Invisalign for me.

I have consulted with one other Premier Provider Elite orthodontist that uses Invisalign - but he said no too.

My feeling is that in a case such as mine with a bad bite/open bite - - - the traditional methods work best or else many more orthos would be using aligners. I also think adults ARE concerned with how braces look - but they also want the fastest treatment possible, and everyone maintains that for the most part - Invisalign also adds months onto your treatment, as I'm sure you can attest.

Thks again!
Mel