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Invisalign Candidates and Case Types

Certified Invisalign Orthodontist Dr. Tun Offers 3 Kinds of Treatment

In 1997, Align Technologies brought Invisalign to dental and orthodontic patients across the globe. Originally, the treatment was created as a comfortable, inconspicuous alternative to traditional braces for adults. Invisalign candidates were adults who needed mild to moderate orthodontic treatment, primarily for cosmetic correction.


Today, Invisalign for adults can treat moderate to complex cases, as long as certain criteria are met. As a board-certified orthodontist and certified Invisalign dentist, Dr. Tun also offers Invisalign Teen to serve patients who have no primary teeth left; all their permanent teeth have erupted. For phase one orthodontics, also called early orthodontics, Invisalign First presents a great option. Children aged seven to 10 (or so) usually qualify for this therapy, even if the upper arch needs expansion.

Invisalign Candidate FAQs

Can a patient be too old or young for Invisalign?

Though the average age of a patient is 32 years, Invisalign First is for kids as young as 7 years old, and our oldest Invisalign patient is in her 60s. As long as you have natural teeth and commit to following certain guidelines, you’ll probably make a great Invisalign candidate. If you want a beautiful smile and good occlusion, you’re never too old for Invisalign.

When does Invisalign treatment fail?

If a patient does not wear his aligner for the prescribed 22 hours per day, treatment could stall. At worst, teeth may relapse, meaning they may move back toward misalignment so that forward progress is completely lost. Patients whose teeth relapse must get new aligners and in some cases re-start treatment. You also need to commit to visiting Dr. Tun every six weeks or so at check-in appointments.

Patients who don’t practice good oral hygiene may develop gum disease, which causes gums to swell. If this happens, the Invisalign aligner may not fit properly. Also, a broken or chipped tooth can interfere with the fit of an aligner. Damaged aligners also won’t fit, so a replacement should be ordered as soon as possible.

What types of cases make patients poor Invisalign candidates?

Invisalign may not be the right choice for patients with a severe overbite, twisted or significantly rotated teeth, very short or “pegged” teeth, Invisalign can close small spaces between teeth, but for wide gaps, braces are the best option. Lastly, teeth that need to be pushed further into the jaw or raised cannot be corrected by Invisalign aligners

Can Invisalign re-treat patients who previously wore braces, but whose teeth have shifted out of alignment?

Yes. People who need retreatment are perfect Invisalign candidates! Just remember, you’ll have to wear your retainer after finishing treatment or your teeth could relapse again. We can permanently attach your retainer if you tend to forget or neglect to wear a retainer.

Are you an Invisalign candidate? Is your child or teen?

Call 832-699-3683 to book a no-cost, no-obligation consultation with Dr. Wint W. Tun today to learn whether you make a good Invisalign candidate. At Harmony Orthodontics in Tomball, Dr. Tun will take x-rays, scans, and photographs of your teeth. She’ll talk with you about your goals and concerns, answering all of your questions. Then, Dr. Tun will present her treatment recommendation, suggesting the best type of orthodontics for your specific case.