If you’re thinking about straightening your teeth but don’t love the idea of metal braces, you’re not alone. Invisalign clear aligners have become a popular choice for teens and adults across Steamboat Springs, CO who want a more discreet way to improve their smile and bite. But many people still wonder: Is Invisalign strong enough to fix my specific orthodontic problem?
At Coombs Orthodontics, Dr. Coombs uses advanced clear aligner technology to treat a wide range of issues – from simple crowding to more complex bite problems. This guide walks you through the most common orthodontic issues Invisalign can fix and when it might (or might not) be the right fit for you.
How Invisalign Works in a Nutshell
Invisalign uses a series of custom-made, removable plastic trays that gently move your teeth into better alignment over time. Each set of aligners is worn for about 1–2 weeks before switching to the next set, gradually guiding teeth into their new positions.
Modern clear aligners aren’t just for minor tweaks. With today’s materials, digital planning, and smart attachments (tiny tooth-colored bumps placed on certain teeth), Invisalign can address many of the same problems that used to require traditional braces, including crowding, gaps, and several types of bite problems.
Common Orthodontic Problems Invisalign Can Correct
Crowded Teeth
What it is: Crowding happens when there isn’t enough space for all your teeth to fit comfortably in the jaw, causing teeth to overlap, twist, or bunch together. Crowded teeth are harder to clean, which can increase your risk of cavities and gum disease.
How Invisalign helps: Invisalign aligners can gradually create room by gently expanding the arches or using techniques like interproximal reduction (polishing very small amounts of enamel between teeth) to allow teeth to line up properly. Modern Invisalign protocols can even treat more severe crowding in many cases, reducing the need for extractions.
Gaps and Spacing
What it is: Spacing issues happen when there’s too much room between teeth, leading to gaps. This can be due to genetics, missing teeth, or habits like tongue thrusting.
How Invisalign helps: Clear aligners are excellent at closing small to moderate gaps by guiding teeth closer together in a controlled, predictable way. Closing spaces isn’t just cosmetic – gaps can trap food and make the gums more vulnerable to irritation and inflammation.
Overbite (Deep Bite)
What it is: An overbite occurs when the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth more than they should. In a deep bite, the lower teeth may almost disappear behind the uppers when you bite down. Left untreated, this can cause excessive wear on front teeth, jaw discomfort, and even increase the risk of chipping.
How Invisalign helps: Invisalign can often correct mild to moderate overbites by moving both teeth and, in many cases, influencing the bite relationship using attachments and elastics. Carefully planned aligner therapy can reduce the overlap so your upper and lower teeth meet in a healthier, more stable way.
Underbite
What it is: An underbite is when the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when your mouth is closed. This can make chewing difficult and may cause uneven wear on the teeth over time
How Invisalign helps: For dental underbites (where the teeth, rather than the jaw bone itself, are the main issue), Invisalign can often bring the upper and lower teeth into a better relationship. In more severe skeletal underbites, aligners might be combined with other appliances or even jaw surgery, but many mild to moderate cases can be treated successfully with Invisalign alone.
Crossbite
What it is: A crossbite happens when some upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth instead of outside. This can affect front teeth, back teeth, or both. Crossbites can lead to uneven tooth wear, gum recession, and may cause the jaw to shift to one side.
How Invisalign helps: Clear aligners can often correct mild to moderate crossbites by gradually moving the upper and lower teeth into better positions. Sometimes this is combined with expansion techniques to widen the arches. Early treatment can be especially beneficial for kids and teens because it can help guide proper jaw growth.
Open Bite
What it is: In an open bite, the upper and lower teeth don’t come together when you bite down, leaving a space between them. This can make chewing less efficient and sometimes affects speech. Open bites are often related to thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, or certain growth patterns.
How Invisalign helps: Invisalign has become increasingly effective for open bites, especially with the right combination of attachments and careful treatment planning. Dr. Coombs uses techniques such as controlled tooth movements and, when needed, interproximal reduction to help close open bites without more invasive procedures in many cases.
Mild to Moderate Tooth Rotations and “Crooked Teeth”
What it is: Teeth that are rotated or crooked can affect how your smile looks and how your teeth function together. They’re also more difficult to clean well.
How Invisalign helps: Clear aligners are very effective at correcting mild to moderate rotations using strategically placed attachments and planned pressure points. While some very severe rotations may still respond better to braces, many patients in Houston and Lake Jackson can straighten their “crooked teeth” with Invisalign alone.
Relapse After Braces
What it is: Even if you had braces years ago, teeth can shift if retainers weren’t worn consistently. This is called orthodontic relapse—your teeth slowly drift out of alignment over time.
How Invisalign helps: Invisalign is great for “touch-up” treatment when teeth have shifted just enough to bother you, but not enough to require full braces again. A shorter course of clear aligners can often restore your previous results and, with proper retainers, help maintain them long term.
When Invisalign May Not Be Enough
While Invisalign is powerful, it isn’t right for every single case. Severe skeletal problems – such as major jaw discrepancies – or very complex tooth movements may still require traditional braces, additional appliances, or even surgical orthodontics.
This is where experience matters. As a board-certified orthodontist who has treated patients in Houston and Lake Jackson since 2015, Dr. Coombs evaluates not just your teeth, but also your jaw structure, bite function, and long-term stability before recommending Invisalign or any other option.
Why Choose Coombs Orthodontics for Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign is a powerful tool, but it’s still just a tool. The results you get depend heavily on your orthodontist’s training, experience, and treatment planning.
At Coombs Orthodontics:
- Dr. Coombs is an exceptional orthodontist who focuses on delivering high-quality, long-lasting results for kids, teens, and adults.
- The team uses advanced digital technology and clear aligner systems, including Invisalign, to treat everything from simple spacing to complex bite issues—even expanding Invisalign use for more challenging cases like open bites and severe crowding.
Whether you live in Steamboat Springs or a nearby community, you’ll get a personalized treatment plan designed around your bite, your lifestyle, and your goals.
Invisalign FAQs
Can Invisalign fix my bite, or is it only for straightening teeth?
Invisalign can do much more than simply straighten your front teeth. With today’s technology, clear aligners can treat many overbites, underbites, crossbites, open bites, and crowding or spacing issues. However, very severe jaw-related problems may still need braces, other appliances, or surgery.
Am I a candidate for Invisalign if I have severe crowding?
Possibly. Modern Invisalign protocols, including techniques like interproximal reduction and arch expansion, allow aligners to treat more severe crowding than in the past. Dr. Coombs routinely uses Invisalign even in complex cases, but he’ll let you know honestly if braces would achieve a better or more predictable outcome.
How long does Invisalign treatment usually take?
Every case is different, but most Invisalign treatments last anywhere from 6 to 24 months. Mild relapse or cosmetic corrections may take less time, while more complex bite problems naturally require longer. After your consultation at Coombs Orthodontics, you’ll receive a customized timeline based on your specific needs.
Is Invisalign a good option for teens?
Yes – Invisalign is popular with teens who want a lower-profile option than metal braces, especially for school, photos, and sports. Coombs Orthodontics offers Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, along with braces, so Dr. Coombs can recommend the best option for your teen’s personality, responsibility level, and bite.
Do I still need retainers after Invisalign?
Absolutely. No matter which treatment you choose – braces or Invisalign – teeth can shift over time if they’re not held in place. Wearing retainers as directed is the key to keeping your new smile aligned for the long term.
Take the First Step Toward a Healthier Smile
Invisalign can correct a wide range of orthodontic issues – from crowding and gaps to many types of bite problems – while giving you the flexibility and confidence of a nearly invisible treatment. The best way to know what Invisalign can do for your smile is to sit down with an experienced orthodontist who understands both the technology and your unique goals.
If you’re in the Steamboat Springs, CO area and wondering whether Invisalign can fix your orthodontic issues, schedule a free consultation with Coombs Orthodontics. Dr. Coombs and his team will evaluate your bite, walk you through your options, and design a treatment plan that fits your lifestyle so you can feel confident every time you smile.