Invisalign, an alternative therapy to conventional orthodontics, helps straighten mild to moderate orthodontic imperfections and is sought after by many adults who didn’t receive orthodontic treatment during childhood. Invisalign therapy is viral globally, with over 5 million people successfully benefiting from Invisalign’s treatment. Fortunately, Invisalign doesn’t cause gum recession and is not a cause of concern for people considering this therapy to straighten teeth.
Gum disease, alternatively called periodontal disease, is an infection of the gums surrounding and supporting your teeth and the leading cause of tooth loss in adults in America. It is estimated that nearly 40 percent of American adults aged 30 and over are affected by gum disease. This painless condition doesn’t exhibit symptoms unless you visit dentists for regular dental exams and cleanings at six-monthly intervals.
Although the primary cause of periodontal disease is bacteria in the plaque left on the teeth by inappropriate dental hygiene practices, several other habits like smoking, conditions, and medication can also increase your risks of developing periodontal disease. Gum disease gradually worsens after it sets in, especially if you are a smoker and have crowded teeth and restorations like fillings and dental bridges. If you have advanced gum disease, you will likely confront gum recession that makes your teeth appear longer from the problem.
What Is Gum Recession?
Gums pulling away from your teeth and exposing the sensitive tooth root is known as gum recession. The effects of gum recession encourage bacteria to stick to its surfaces, potentially precipitating another downturn. Gum recession can result in bone and tooth loss when left untreated.
Aggressive brushing or improper dental hygiene practices are the prime reasons for the development of gum disease. However, gum recession is a common condition that progresses slowly without making you aware of its presence. As a result, you may experience tooth discomfort and worry about the appearance of your teeth because they look longer than average. You mustn’t ignore gum recession but consider receiving treatment from the dentist in Chicago, IL, to halt or reverse periodontal disease if possible.
Does Invisalign Worsen Gum Recession?
Periodontal disease is widespread among people in their 30s, as mentioned earlier, and the number rises to over 70 percent in people over 65. Therefore, if you intend to seek Invisalign treatment near you, expect the aligners to cause mild bleeding and gum inflammation when you start the treatment with clear braces. However, the symptoms you experience do not emanate from gum disease and result from the orthodontic treatment.
Invisalign clear aligners are not prone to trapping food particles and debris making you believe they require less upkeep than conventional orthodontic braces. However, the reality is entirely different because the lack of food particles or debris on the aligners doesn’t indicate you can neglect dental hygiene. The Invisalign aligner is a barrier that prevents saliva from contacting your teeth and gums to cause gum disease indirectly.
When you start treatment with Invisalign, you must comply with the requirements of the treatment and maintain dental hygiene as suggested by the Chicago dentist to prevent the development of this devastating condition in your mouth. In addition, if you develop periodontal disease, you will experience delays in your Invisalign treatment significantly if the severity of the condition advances.
Invisalign is an excellent therapy for people with mild to moderate orthodontic imperfections. However, they must be aware of the potential risks associated with orthodontic treatment with Invisalign. While the treatment is considered safe for most, some people do not qualify for the therapy if they have a complicated orthodontic situation or mouth conditions that prevent them from receiving Invisalign treatment. However, Invisalign alone will not cause gum recession because the problem with the gums is related to poor dental hygiene and not wearing the aligners over the teeth.
Invisalign requires every patient to remove the aligners when eating or drinking before replacing them on their teeth to continue their treatment. During the time people receive to eat and drink, they must also clean their teeth and the aligners before replacing them in their mouth. In addition, the lack of saliva contacting their teeth might contribute to gum disease because the braces must remain on the teeth for nearly 22 hours daily. However, Invisalign treatment does not result in the development of gum disease or its consequences that lead to gum recession if left untreated.
Family Dental Care — Chicago provides Invisalign therapy to many patients after conducting a comprehensive exam of their teeth and mouth, looking for infections like gum disease and other problems. If you are concerned whether Invisalign will cause gum disease discuss your concerns with the practitioners before you consider receiving treatment with Invisalign braces from them.
