More Than Cosmetic: Health Reasons to Straighten Your Teeth

Clear aligners are often thought of as a cosmetic treatment. Appearance is a perfectly good reason to straighten your teeth, but it isn't the only one. How your teeth line up and fit together also affects how easy they are to keep healthy and how they hold up over the years.

Crowded and overlapping teeth create tight corners that a toothbrush and floss can't reach well. Plaque that collects there raises the risk of cavities between teeth and of gum inflammation. Aligning the teeth opens up those surfaces so daily cleaning actually reaches them.

When teeth meet unevenly, a few of them can take more than their share of chewing force. Over time that can lead to flattened edges, chipping, or cracks in fillings and enamel. Correcting the bite spreads forces more evenly across the teeth.

Upper front teeth that stick out noticeably are more likely to be chipped or knocked out in a fall or sports injury. Reducing that protrusion is one reason dentists recommend treatment for some children and teens, not only adults.

Crowns, bridges, veneers and implants last best when the teeth around them are well positioned. A short course of orthodontics can upright a tilted tooth, even out spacing before veneers, or create the right amount of room for an implant.

• Crossbites can cause uneven jaw movement or tooth wear on one side.
• Deep bites can lead lower front teeth to bite into the gum behind the upper teeth.
• Open bites can make it hard to bite through foods with the front teeth.

Correcting these problems is often about function first and appearance second.

Straightening teeth doesn't replace good daily hygiene or regular cleanings, and it isn't a treatment for jaw joint disorders on its own. Your provider will be clear about what alignment can and can't improve in your specific case.

Many cases are both. At a consultation, an Infinity Aligner certified provider will explain which of these benefits apply to your teeth — and whether insurance may treat part of your case as more than cosmetic.