Can I avoid extraction with Invisalign treatment if metal braces require extraction?

Doctor's Answers 1

Your teeth DO NOT know what type of orthodontic appliance is being used on them. All the tooth will be aware of is force: magnitude and direction.

Remember that Invisalign is just a different type of orthodontic appliance. ALL orthodontic appliances have to exert forces on to the teeth to cause tooth movement.

Invisalign CANNOT overcome the limits of biology, such as how much bone is available in the jaws for safe expansion of the arches. In adults, since there is negligible skeletal growth and the suture lines are fused (where 2 different bone plates meet usually in the midline, such as the midline of the hard palate and the mental symphysis), arch expansion at the skeletal level tends to be unsuccessful even if surgery is performed.

The decision to use extractions for space creation and for profile improvement would be THE SAME for any type of orthodontic appliance (fixed braces, be it metal or ceramic; Invisalign or any other clear aligner system). Different appliances may have different features that may be useful during treatment but the planning and execution of the treatment plan by the clinician is the most important in determining the final result.

Other options for space creation without extractions include distalization and interdental reduction (IPR).

Having an overbite and overjet is IDEAL at the end of any orthodontic case, so each case has to be judged individually. The aim of orthodontic treatment is NOT to eliminate overbite and overjet but to optimise it.

Similar Questions

How effective is Invisalign for complex orthodontic cases? (photo)

Braces and Invisalign are all tools an orthodontist uses to treat patients. There are many factors which may lead to the decision of selecting one system over the other, such as cost, complexity of case, preference of the dentist for one system over the other (based on experience), etc. To be honest, the majority of my Asian patients are treated with extractions due to our facial profile and lip prominence. Rest assured, a case requiring extractions does not necessarily mean the case is complex.

Photo of Dr Geraldine Lee

Answered By

Dr Geraldine Lee

Orthodontist

How do clear aligner brands such as Zenyum, ClearSmile and MBrace compare against Invisalign?

As you have said, Zenyum is a very new clear aligner company. There is very little background information on the official website regarding the technology used for their treatment planning and aligner manufacturing. Zenyum appears to be a collaboration between local orthodontists and tech entrepreneurs. At the moment, there is no verifiable track record that is available for the public to see. I cannot tell you what software they are using for treatment planning.

Photo of Dr Jaclyn Toh

Answered By

Dr Jaclyn Toh

Dentist

Ask any health question for free

I’m not so sure about a procedure...

Ask Icon Ask a Question

Join Human

Sign up now for a free Human account to get answers from specialists in Singapore.

Sign Up

Get The Pill

Be healthier with our Bite-sized health news straight in your inbox