Teeth Shaving for Invisalign - Do You Need To?

At Dr. Dann Orthodontics, we treat kids and adults with the care they deserve. Patients come to us because they know we offer a safe and relaxing environment along with the treatments they need. Some of our adult orthodontics Orlando FL patients choose Invisalign because it's a great alternative to standard braces. If you hear about tooth shaving and wondered if you needed it before getting Invisalign, we can help.

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What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is one of the more popular treatments for patients who want a bright and straight smile but don't want to deal with braces. The process includes three steps from the first appointment where we scan your teeth and create a custom treatment plan. You'll then receive custom aligners that fit the size and shape of your mouth. Slowly work your way through different aligners to get a gorgeous smile.

Teeth Shaving

In some cases, a patient may need to undergo teeth shaving before they get Invisalign. Using a simple file, the orthodontist carefully removes a small portion of your natural teeth. The term "shaving" refers to how the professional shaves away a small portion of the teeth. They use either a standard file or an electric file. This ensures your mouth has enough space to fit the Invisalign aligners. We now have access to tools to ensure we don't damage your teeth.

Do You Need It?

A big question our Invisalign Orlando patients ask is whether they need tooth shaving before. The answer is that it depends on both your mouth and your treatment goals. Not everyone needs this procedure. We only recommend it if you have a crowded mouth, which is when your teeth sit too close together. This reduces the space for the aligner and can keep it from fitting, but a crowded mouth can also lead to the aligner causing some pain or discomfort.

Teeth Shaving Benefits

There are some benefits to shaving the teeth before Invisalign that you won't find when you choose other types of braces. For example, it gives your smile a uniform look because the procedure takes care of crooked or damaged teeth. We suggest shaving for patients who need to change their bite. This can include issues caused by an underbite or overbite as well as long canine teeth. Shaving is also necessary if you need one or more dental crowns.

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Choose Us for Invisalign

Choosing Dr. Dann Orthodontics helps you get an orthodontist who wants to make your smile look its best. We'll go over everything required before and after you get Invisalign aligners, which may include shaving some of your existing teeth. Talk with us about your concerns when you schedule an appointment and become one of our happy adult orthodontics Orlando, FL patients.