Gapped teeth have unusually large areas of open space between them. Most commonly, the front teeth are gapped, which makes it difficult to hide this imperfection. There are several cosmetic dentistry treatments that can conceal gapped teeth to give the appearance of a more uniform smile.

Of all the treatments that are available to address gapped teeth, Invisalign is one of the most preferred by the dental team at Signature Smiles. Invisalign® for gapped teeth is unique because Invisalign shifts the teeth to close gaps and correct the bite for our Woodinville, WA, patients.

How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?

Invisalign treatment is similar to traditional braces because pressure is applied to the teeth and jaw to encourage movement so the teeth sit in their intended position. Invisalign treatment can address nearly all the same malocclusion problems as traditional orthodontic treatment, including overbite, underbite, crossbite, and gapped teeth.

The primary difference between Invisalign and braces is how the pressure is applied to the teeth and jaw. While braces use a framework of metal brackets and wires to gradually shift the teeth, Invisalign treatment is completely metal free.

During Invisalign treatment, patients wear clear, plastic aligner trays. These trays sit closely over the teeth and are virtually invisible. Throughout treatment, patients progress to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, so that the teeth and jaw continually receive the pressure that is needed to encourage movement.

How Long Will It Take to Close My Gap?

Invisalign treatment is personalized to each of our Woodinville patient’s unique needs. On average, the timeline for Invisalign treatment is comparable to that of braces, but the exact length of treatment will vary from one patient to another.

In most cases, patients can expect their teeth to shift approximately .2 mm for each aligner tray that is used. That would mean that a patient with a gap of 1.5 mm could expect their gap to close after progressing through seven or eight aligner trays, which would take about 16 weeks, or four months. However, to prevent gaps from forming in the back teeth as the front gap closes, complete treatment typically takes longer. It should take at least six months to correct gapped teeth with Invisalign treatment, and it could take even longer if additional orthodontic issues are present.

Benefits of Invisalign Treatment

Invisalign does not offer the quick fix that other cosmetic dentistry treatments can provide our Woodinville patients. However, Invisalign is the only treatment that physically closes gapped teeth, rather than just masking them. Additionally, Invisalign provides a number of other benefits:

• Invisalign treatment is discreet
• Invisalign aligners are comfortable to wear
• Treatment is convenient, because aligners can be removed for brushing and eating
• Invisalign requires fewer dental visits than traditional orthodontic treatment

Schedule an Appointment

Invisalign can discreetly and comfortably correct your bite and eliminate gapped teeth. If you are interested in finding out if you are an ideal candidate for Invisalign, call (425) 489-1177 to schedule an appointment with one of the experienced dentists at Signature Smiles at your earliest convenience.