April 2023 - Best Norwalk CA Dentist | Dental Health Group

If your upper teeth sit inside your lower teeth when you close your mouth, then you’re likely dealing with a crossbite. This misalignment may not seem like a problem now, but it can lead to other issues if left untreated.

Metal braces used to be the only solution for fixing crossbites, but clear aligners like Invisalign are becoming more popular. The question is, can Invisalign fix crossbite, or are the aligners not strong enough?

While they may not be suitable in all cases, the good news is that aligners can fix crossbite for most patients. Here’s how it works.

What is Crossbite?

A crossbite is a misalignment of your teeth. When you bite down, if one or more of your top teeth slide behind the bottom teeth, this is considered a crossbite. It’s not always easy to see because you may only have a few teeth that are in crossbite, and, of course, it’s only noticeable when your mouth is closed.

Over time, these crooked teeth can lead to all sorts of oral health problems. If you’re experiencing frequent toothaches, headaches, or pain while chewing, crossbite may be the culprit.

Types of Crossbite

There are two main types of crossbite that Invisalign can fix. When you visit us at the Dental Health Group, we’ll help you determine which category your crossbite falls into.

Posterior Crossbite

Posterior means further in the back, and these crossbites occur with the back teeth. This misalignment can happen on one or both sides of the dental arches.

Anterior Crossbite

Anterior means closer to the front, and these types of crossbites occur on the front teeth. This misalignment can happen to only one tooth or to multiple teeth — in the case of multiple teeth, it’s sometimes known as an underbite.

What Causes a Crossbite?

In most people, a crossbite is hereditary. Cleft lip or palate, delayed tooth eruption, or abnormal teeth growth are all factors that frequently cause crooked teeth. Some studies have linked crossbite to childhood habits and other factors such as thumb sucking or even heavy breathing through the mouth.

Crossbite is rarely the result of something you consciously did. While you may not know exactly what caused it, you can take action now to fix it with Invisalign.

Can Crossbite Lead to Dental Problems?

Unfortunately, yes — a crossbite is more than just an aesthetic issue. Untreated crossbites can lead to significant oral health problems such as jaw tenderness, tooth pain, restricted airways, receding gums, chipped teeth, and even speech impediments or difficulty chewing. The misalignment will make plaque buildup more likely, and down-the-road consequences can include painful gum diseases and bone loss.

It’s crucial to address a crossbite as soon as you can. Waiting will only make the treatment more difficult as you get older.

How to Fix Crossbite With Invisalign

Orthodontics can help you with your crossbite. Invisalign clear aligners can treat most types of crossbite and are especially effective in milder cases — another reason not to let the problem get worse. For more severe cases of crossbite, traditional metal braces are typically the more effective option.

Fixing Posterior Crossbites With Invisalign

Correcting posterior crossbites with only Invisalign can be challenging. That is why it’s better to use a combination of Invisalign aligners and other types of expanders.

For instance, orthodontists can fix mild crossbites with Invisalign and elastics. The elastics will function like clear aligners and gradually align the teeth. For moderate cases of posterior crossbite, dentists may use Invisalign with a quad helix expander. This orthodontic device has four active springs and helps Invisalign create proper alignment and bite.

More severe cases of posterior crossbite can benefit from a combination of Invisalign and a rapid palatal expander. This expander is more suitable for younger patients as it expands the palatal bones to create alignment.

Fixing Anterior Crossbites With Invisalign

Fixing anterior crossbites with clear aligners alone is more feasible. Dentists can fix mild and moderate anterior crossbites with only Invisalign; they may not need other orthodontic appliances.

This process is straightforward for single-tooth anterior crossbites. However, correcting an anterior crossbite with multiple teeth is more challenging. This condition, also called an underbite, can benefit more from a combination of Invisalign aligners, elastics, and, in rarer cases, sometimes even tooth extractions.

How the Process Works

A dental technician shapes a clear aligner

Now that you know how to fix crossbites with Invisalign, you can find a good dentist and start the procedure. Here are the steps involved.

First, you have to visit a dentist for a consultation. The dentist will thoroughly examine your teeth using digital scans and make a treatment plan.
Next, the dentist will make you a series of Invisalign aligners that can fix your crossbite. Your customized aligners should fit seamlessly inside your mouth.
You must wear your aligners for 22+ hours daily, only removing them when you want to eat, brush, and floss. Every two weeks, Invisalign will painlessly shift your teeth and jaw into the correct position by 0.25 – 0.3 millimeters until they reach the desired alignment.
You will visit the dentist two weeks after starting treatment for a follow-up appointment. They will check your progress and give you the remaining sets of aligners.
You will see the dentist every six weeks and switch your aligners regularly so Invisalign can successfully fix your crossbite.

How Long Does it Take to Fix a Crossbite With Invisalign?

Treatment time varies based on the severity of your crossbite, how often you wear your aligners, and other dental issues. For instance, having crowded teeth with your crossbite can extend the treatment period.

It can take Invisalign as few as three months to fix mild crossbites. The treatment can take up to 18 months or more for those with more severe crossbites.

Pros and Cons of Invisalign for Crossbites

Invisalign is one of the most popular dental services for fixing crossbites. However, it’s not the only option. You can also get metal braces or undergo surgery. However, Invisalign can fix crossbites with the following pros:

Removable and easier to clean
More comfortable and discrete
Covering the entire biting surface
No metal wires to cut your mouth

That said, the aligners can be expensive and are often not covered by insurance plans. The treatment may not be effective for severe cases of crossbite, and the patient must be actively involved. Failing to wear the aligners regularly will negate the treatment.

Fix Your Crossbite with the Dental Health Group

Dr. Erwin Abad can fix your crossbite with Invisalign and give you the dental care you deserve. We see patients from all over Los Angeles. We know that restorative dentistry is an art as well as a science, and we work with you to craft a beautiful smile through tailored solutions. Your care is our passion. Schedule your appointment today for your first consultation.

More than one out of every three adults has some form of gum disease, but most people prefer to put off treatment. Even though ignoring gum disease can lead to further complications, the mere suggestion of a surgical procedure is often enough to deter patients from taking any corrective actions. However, there is another option, and that is laser therapy.

Laser treatment for gum disease does have its pros and cons, but ultimately its high success rate and relatively few side effects make it a sensible choice in many cases. Here’s what the procedure entails.

What Is Laser Gum Treatment?

Gum disease laser therapy is an alternative to surgery for treating periodontal disease. This modern method uses light energy to destroy bacteria, improve oral health, and stimulate bone growth. It’s not just for gum disease, either. Dentists can use it to treat tooth decay, fix hypersensitivity, and reshape the gums.

The dentist uses a laser beam during the procedure to eliminate inflamed gum tissue. A significant pro of laser treatment for gum disease is the ability to distinguish between healthy and diseased tissue. The laser light does this by identifying the darker color of the infected sections. It can then remove those parts to eliminate the infection and sterilize the area.

Afterward, the healthy gum tissue can regenerate and return to normal. Depending on the severity of the disease, the dentist can perform this procedure in one or two office visits.

Laser Gum Treatment Pros

Laser gum therapy has various advantages over traditional treatments for periodontal disease. Here are the most notable pros of this restorative dental procedure.

Highly Effective

The first advantage of laser treatment for gum disease is the procedure’s effectiveness. Gum disease can lead to serious dental consequences like infection and tooth loss if left untreated.

Laser therapy can successfully treat moderate to severe cases of periodontal disease and remove all the harmful bacteria gathered in the deep pockets of your gums. With gum laser treatment, you can avoid the side effects of gingivitis and keep all your natural teeth intact.

Minimally Invasive

Another advantage of laser therapy over surgical procedures for gum disease treatment is that it’s a less invasive method. In traditional gum surgery, the dentist will cut into your gum tissue to remove the infection. Patients require stitches, and there is always a small risk of further infection at the site of the incision.

Laser therapy, on the other hand, only emits a small light at the infected area to complete the procedure. It’s only a minor discomfort, and you will not require anesthetics for pain.

Faster Recovery

Another notable benefit of laser treatment for gum disease is the shorter recovery time. Traditional gum surgeries have long recovery periods, lasting two to four weeks. Patients typically experience pain, swelling, and discomfort during this recovery period. In some cases, you may have to follow a liquid diet.

The recovery time for laser treatments is much shorter. Since the dentist doesn’t make incisions in your gum tissue, you will only feel the discomfort for about 24 hours. You can return to your normal routines within a few days after receiving treatment. This minimal downtime with gum laser treatment also means you can avoid the possible side effects of surgeries such as fatigue, pain, or missed work time.

More Precision

Although dentists are highly trained and take precautions, things can go wrong in traditional gum surgery. There is a risk that the dentist may cut into your healthy gum tissue. Yet because the laser beam is so precise, and because it distinguishes between healthy and infected tissue, the procedure has a high degree of accuracy. The dentist can heal your damaged gums without harming any healthy tissues.

Patient-Tailored

The final pro of laser treatment for gum disease is the possibility of customization. At the Dental Health Group, Dr. Abad can change the wavelengths and power levels of the laser based on the severity of your gum disease. This customization will yield a more successful result and increase your comfort during the procedure.

A smiling woman after receiving laser gum therapy

Laser Gum Treatment Cons

Although it is a highly recommended procedure, gum laser treatment can have some side effects and additional considerations that may make it not the right choice for everyone.

Unsuitable for Highly Severe Cases

Laser gum therapy may be unsuitable for those with highly severe periodontal diseases. In these cases, the dentist may use a surgical procedure alongside laser therapy or perform the surgery alone.

Not Offered by All Dentists

One of the downsides of laser treatment for gum disease is that not all dentists perform it. Laser therapy is a dental service that requires additional training. Not everyone is qualified, and some offices do not have the equipment. We’re proud to offer laser gum therapy at the Dental Health Group in Canoga Park.

It Can be Costly

Laser gum therapy can be expensive if you plan to pay for it out of pocket. However, most insurance plans cover a portion of the costs, and there are financing options to help you pay for the treatment.

Does Laser Gum Treatment Hurt?

One of the most notable advantages of laser treatment for gum disease is that the procedure is virtually painless with or without anesthesia. When you find a good dentist and treat the disease early, you will avoid oral health complications down the road.

Receive Effective Laser Gum Treatment at the Dental Health Group

While laser gum therapy is a great choice for many patients, Dr. Erwin Abad at the Dental Health Group can help you decide if it’s right for you. We welcome patients from all over Los Angeles for effective treatment at our modern office. Contact us now to schedule an appointment and restore your gums’ health.

Month: April 2023

Can Invisalign Fix Crossbite?