People ask us this all the time. What can clear aligners really do? Most folks assume they're just for minor stuff, a little gap here, some crowding there. Nothing too serious. But honestly, that's outdated thinking. With today's 3D scanning and better tray materials, Invisalign® in Littleton, CO, can now handle bite problems that used to mean months of metal brackets and wires.
We're the team at Summit Family Orthodontics, and we wanted to walk you through the specific issues we treat every week with clear aligners. So let's get into it.
6 Orthodontic Issues Clear Aligners Can Fix
1. Crowded and Overlapping Teeth
The jaws only have limited space, and that is what causes the entire issue. When there is insufficient space for all teeth to be accommodated correctly, there will be crowding.
Teeth twist. They overlap. Some get shoved forward, others get crowded out toward the back. It's a mess, honestly, and brushing turns into this awkward dance around all the tight corners. Plaque loves those spots, by the way. Give it a few months, and you're looking at gum irritation, sometimes worse.
Aligners fix this by applying steady, gentle pressure over time. Each tray nudges things open just a little, giving crowded teeth somewhere to go. If you've been searching for Invisalign® near you because your teeth feel cramped, this is usually where we start.
2. Gaps and Spacing Issues
Gaps are basically the opposite problem. Sometimes teeth are just smaller than the jaw needs them to be. Sometimes it's a missing tooth. Sometimes, believe it or not, it's a tongue-thrusting habit nobody even noticed. Whatever the cause, those open spaces leave your gums exposed and give food somewhere to hide.
Clear trays close that space, but carefully. An orthodontist near you should be mapping out the movement so teeth shift straight instead of tilting sideways, which can create new problems down the road.
3. Deep Overbites
An overbite, put simply, means the upper front teeth are covering too much of the lower ones. We've had patients come in with cases bad enough that the lower teeth were actually striking the roof of the mouth on a regular basis. Not something you want to live with.
It is uncomfortable and unsustainable, not to mention that in the long term, it may create other issues. Enamel wears down rather quickly, and in certain instances, there might even be jaw tension.
Aligners can treat this well. We use small tooth-colored attachments bonded to certain teeth, and Dr. Thomas (Tom) Berchtold plans the whole movement on a digital 3D model. Step by step, the bite levels out.
4. Underbites
Here's the setup with this one: your bottom teeth end up resting in front of the top ones once your mouth closes. And that creates real stress on the jaw joint over time. Chewing gets harder than it has any right to be. Give it long enough, and the shape of your lower jaw can actually start to shift.
Correcting this with Invisalign® in Littleton, CO involves moving the upper teeth forward and at the same time pulling back the lower teeth to meet somewhere in the middle. For moderate cases, we'll sometimes pair the aligners with small elastics too. Either way, no bulky hardware required.
5. Crossbites
A crossbite is when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth instead of outside, where they should be. Could be one tooth. Could be several. Either way, ignoring it leads to jaw pain, chipped enamel, and uneven wear.
This is exactly why seeing an orthodontist near you matters, sooner rather than later. We push the top teeth outward and guide the bottom ones in until everything lines up the way it's supposed to.
6. Open Bites
Sometimes your top and bottom teeth just don't touch, even with your jaw fully closed. There's a gap right in front, or sometimes along the sides. Thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or jaw structure can all be behind it. Try biting into an apple with an open bite. Not fun.
Aligners cover the chewing surfaces, pushing back molars while bringing front teeth into contact. Slowly, that gap closes.
Why It Matters Who's Treating You
Clear aligners aren't just plastic trays you order and forget about. This is a medical process, and it should be run by someone who actually understands how teeth and jaws move. When you work with an orthodontist near you, here's what that gets you:
● 3D scanning using iTero Digital Scanner, no impression trays necessary.
● Regular check-ups, since changes are inevitable and we need to address it in time.
● Free air polishing cleanings at your visits, too, since protecting your enamel through the whole process matters to us.
We try to keep the pricing side simple as well. Complete orthodontic care runs at an all-inclusive $4,500, and if that's a stretch upfront, we offer payment plans starting at $250 a month. No hidden fees creeping in later, no surprises.
Ready to See What's Possible?
Whether you're dealing with crowding, gaps, or a bite that just never felt right, Invisalign® near you might be simpler than you think. Give us a call at Summit Family Orthodontics in Littleton, we'll get you set up with a free consultation and 3D scan. Book your free consultation online whenever it's convenient for you.
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