invisalign question for Dr. Rick

[annel]

Hi Dr. Rick -

I had a consult for invisalign and was told it would work for me but I would need to have a lower front tooth removed to alleviate the crowding. I really want to do this, but am having a hard time with the idea of not having a lower tooth in the front. Is there a way to have a temporary tooth put in place as the gap closes? Or do you have experience with how long the gaps take to close and what a patient can do esthetically to help with the look of a missing tooth?

Thank you so much for your time!

Anne

[Dr. Randall]

The aligners mask the appearance of the missing tooth while it is being closed. So there is really no way to have a fake tooth there. Your lower teeth will not be readily visible just because of normal lip posture and with the aligners, it won't be noticed. Relax.

Randall

[drrick]

They can fill the aligner with tooth colored plastic to make it look like there is a tooth in there.

The space should close rather quickly though.
With braces I can have it closed in 2 to 3 months, prob a little longer with invisalign.

[annel]

Dr. Rick-

Thanks with your help on the question about hiding the extraction on the lower part with colored plastic. Should I ask my ortho about doing that or would it be invisalign company doing that part? Also- what is your opinion about invisalign? I want it for cosmetic reasons just to straighten out some crowding on top and bottom. I have read about people who have used invisalign and then still get regular braces to finish up what invisalign couldn't do... do you know why it seems common that people go to regular braces at the end? Is it because of the bite still needing to be corrected ? Thanks ...your in put is a great help.

[drrick]

I am not sure if Invisalign will do it or not, but the doc can def do it.
I havent used invisalign on a lower inc ext case so I am not sure if the company will do it.

If the case cant be finished appropriately with invisalign then braces are often placed.

I am not a huge fan of invisalign, but other docs really like it.