Can Invisalign Correct Malocclusion?

If you’ve been told you have malocclusion, you may be wondering if it can be corrected with Invisalign® straighteners. So can Invisalign correct malocclusion? The answer is “probably.”

There’s more than one kind of malocclusion.

First, it’s important to understand what malocclusion is. The definition of malocclusion is “poor bite”, which clearly can mean several things. Malocclusion is categorized into three classes. 

Can Invisalign Correct Class 1, 2, & 3 Malocclusions?

So does Invisalign fix bites? It depends on your malocclusion class. Read more below.

Class 1 Malocclusion

If you have a Class 1 malocclusion, your upper teeth overlap your bottom teeth slightly, but your bite is normal. This is the most common form of malocclusion.

For Class 1 malocclusion, using Invisalign straighteners under the supervision of Dr. Brayman is likely an effective treatment. Every mouth is unique, though, so you may need additional treatments, such as tooth extraction, along with Invisalign.

Overbite is measured in percentages, and some amount of overbite is normal. Between five and 25% is considered ideal.

In some cases, people have both Class 1 malocclusion and overcrowded teeth, or some other complication. If your case is more complicated, Dr. Kate Brayman may suggest an overall treatment plan and correcting the malocclusion will be part of it.

Class 2 Malocclusion

In this class of malocclusion, the upper teeth severely overlap the bottom teeth. It also may be called retrognathism, deep bite, overjet, or overbite.

As Invisalign technology has advanced, the number and type of problems the aligners can correct have grown. For example, Invisalign is now successfully used to treat Class 2 Malocclusion.

Just as with class 1 malocclusion, though, you may need additional treatments to achieve an attractive, and more importantly, healthy bite. The success of the treatment plan depends on Dr. Brayman’s skill in implementing it, along with your willingness to follow instructions. An aligner that isn’t worn won’t correct malocclusion of any type!

Class 3 Malocclusion

With a Class 3 Malocclusion, your bottom teeth overlap your top teeth. This type of malocclusion is also called underbite or prognathism.

At one time, most experts believed that Class 3 Malocclusion couldn’t be treated with Invisalign aligners. However, the technology of the aligners has improved, and treatment plans have evolved, and in many cases, Class 3 Malocclusion can be corrected using Invisalign.

Just as with the other types of malocclusion, additional treatments may be necessary to achieve optimal results. If you have Class 3 Malocclusion you may need surgery to fully correct your bite. Dr. Brayman designs your treatment plan specifically for you, so you can be assured of reaching the desired outcome.

Invisalign innovations improve results in Malocclusion

Invisalign has multiple types of aligners available. Dr. Brayman chooses the one that is best suited to correct your issues. For example, Invisalign G3 aligners are specifically designed to treat Class 2 and Class 3 Malocclusion.

Other innovations the company has introduced that improve outcomes are SmartForce®, which is a technology allowing Dr. Brayman to customize your aligners for each tooth, and ClinCheck® software that helps keep your treatment plan on track.

Although you may be most interested in correcting your malocclusion for aesthetic reasons, there are important health considerations as well. When your teeth are properly positioned, they are easier to clean. The force of your bite is evenly distributed so there’s less chance of uneven wear, and in cases of Class 2 and 3 Malocclusion, there’s a lower risk of trauma from your teeth resting on your lips.

Dr. Brayman would be happy to discuss the possibility of treating your malocclusion using Invisalign with you, as well as answer any questions you may have. Consider booking an appointment with Dr. Brayman to learn more. You can also learn more about Invisalign before your appointment.