Can Invisalign Widen Smile? Here’s What You Need to Know

Although not a question heard every day, “Can Invisalign widen smile?” is heard frequently enough. The answer isn’t simple, but Invisalign can widen your smile. Let’s start by exploring the most frequent problem, a little smile.

Narrow Smile — Structural or Orthodontic?

Invisalign can create a wider smile when the initial cause is orthodontic. What this means is that the narrow appearance is the result of the misalignment of the teeth. In cases where the problem is a narrow maxillary arch (the roof of the mouth or palate), you may have to seek additional corrective measures before beginning Invisalign in Tacoma.

A smile is considered narrow if six or fewer teeth show when smiling. While there can be several causes the condition can normally be corrected. The condition is pretty standard. Some people choose to leave it alone while others desire a wider smile.

Often, a little smile is a genetic hand-me-down or a family trait. When it is structural, the palate and upper jaw appear with a taper. This causes the teeth in the front of the smile to form the shape of the letter V rather than the normal U-shape most people have. As we age, a little smile may become more pronounced, giving the cheeks a sunken appearance.

Some orthodontic problems may be the result of a little smile, including:

• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite

The misalignment of the jaw may also contribute to breathing problems, speech difficulties, and more if the mouth does not close completely. When the problems are orthodontic, Invisalign can correct many of them. However, if you’re asking, can Invisalign widen a smile when the problems are structural, meaning the jaw itself is not formed correctly? The answer is no, and more strenuous methods may be required.

Surgical and Non-Surgical Options

Unfortunately, when braces and Invisalign are ineffective in correcting a little smile, it often means at least minor surgery. The younger the patient the easier it is to correct the problem.

As recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) children should see an orthodontist before their seventh birthday. This first examination is a baseline assessment. An orthodontist can predict potential future problems at that age. Using the child’s natural growth period, many problems can be corrected during Phase 1 Treatment. Not all children need this early intervention, but it is less traumatic if they exhibit severe problems.

The treatment for a little smile in a child 7 to 12 years of age is an adjustable palatal expander. This device, which resembles a retainer, attaches to the molars. It is gradually adjusted to expand the maxillary arch using the child’s normal growth.

By the time a child is 13 and older, the bones in their face finish the growth cycle and permanently fuse. Palatal expanders are no longer effective, so other treatment methods are used for adults. These often result in at least minor oral surgery.

In cases where the problem is structurally based, expansion of the palate has to be corrected before alignment using Invisalign or braces would be effective.

Can Invisalign Widen Smile

You wondered, “Can Invisalign widen my smile?” The answer is yes, in many instances. If you have a narrow smile due to malocclusions, Invisalign will make your smile appear wider once your teeth are straighter.

How Invisalign Works

Invisalign is a tray alignment system that is almost invisible. The trays are constructed of durable SmartTrack® material and fit directly over your teeth. In cases where additional tooth movement is required, the orthodontist may attach SmartForce® attachments to your teeth. These act like handles to exert more pressure to move teeth quicker and more reliably.

Trays are worn for 20 to 22 hours each day. They are sequenced to gradually shift teeth using gentle, but constant pressure. Every two weeks you will shift to a new set of aligners to continue moving your teeth in the desired direction.  The constant pressure of the trays against your teeth creates the force required to move teeth into the correct positions.

The goal of Invisalign treatment is to create better alignment of teeth which will also make the smile appear wider. The treatment may not always be the answer. If your Invisalign orthodontist feels that the trays will not create satisfactory results, they may recommend traditional braces as an alternative.

The advantages of Invisalign treatment are the boosts to self-confidence and self-esteem. A straight, beautiful, and healthy smile can make you want to smile more.

A Quick Look at Braces

Can Braces widen my smile? Yes, if it’s an orthodontic case. With braces, the orthodontist affixes brackets to your teeth. A wire is threaded through the brackets (the archwire). As the tension on the wire increases, it supplies the force necessary to move teeth. Braces can be used more aggressively because they pull teeth into alignment whereas Invisalign pushes teeth using pressure.

The Bottom Line — Sorting the Information

It can be confusing sorting through all the information. Can Invisalign widen its smile? Yes, but maybe it can’t. Maybe you need oral surgery, or maybe you don’t. Braces might work, but will they? We understand the frustration.

The bottom line is that Invisalign can widen your smile if your problem is misalignment (malocclusion). However, if your problem is rooted in the shape of the maxillary arch, it cannot correct structural anomalies. Invisalign may create the appearance of a wider smile, but it cannot make your palate wider.

If a problem is caught early enough, the doctor can use a child’s growth period to make changes to correct a narrow palate. That is a great reason to have your child examined by an orthodontist early. If no immediate treatment is necessary, your child will be placed in a monitoring program to watch their development.

Contact an Invisalign Orthodontist Today

Pacific Northwest Orthodontics is your Tacoma Invisalign specialist. You can get started immediately without even leaving your home. Simply use our Virtual Consultation form, follow the prompts, and submit. Alternatively, you may use the SmileSnap Virtual Assessment app on our website.

If you are ready to schedule your first appointment, you may call our office at (253) 472-7788 or submit the online Appointment Request form. If you need more information and ask, “can Invisalign widen smile?”, our orthodontist and team will also be able to accommodate your questions.