Dr. Andrews recently had an article published in the American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics (AJO-DO) and the results really shed light on just how effective Invisalign® treatment can be!
Let’s explore what these findings mean for those seeking orthodontic treatment in Augusta or Grovetown, Georgia!
What’s this article about?
The article is a breakdown of the study Dr. Andrews was a part of. In this study, orthodontists compared the effectiveness of using an Herbst® appliance then full orthodontic treatment vs using only Invisalign® aligners to fix overbites and overjets in early orthodontic patients.
And guess what? The results showed that while both methods were effective, using Invisalign offered more control over vertical tooth movement and less of a chance of overcorrection.
Not sure what this all means? Let’s go over the less common terms we’ve used!
What is an Herbst appliance?
The Herbst® appliance is used to correct overbites by shifting the lower jaw forward and the upper jaw backward.
It’s generally used for younger patients with growing mouths and can be used with or without braces (although most often this appliance is used with braces).
Made of stainless steel bands, the Herbst appliance wraps around the molars, applying pressure to the jaw bones to promote proper development and create a healthy jaw alignment.
What does an overbite vs overjet look like?
These two orthodontic conditions sound very similar and can often be confused with one or the other. One key difference is in the direction of the malocclusion (bad bite)! An overbite is a vertical malocclusion while an overjet is horizontal.
Overbite
When the upper jaw extends further than the lower jaw, this characterizes an overbite condition. In some cases, the lower teeth will meet the roof of your mouth when chewing—ouch!
Overjet
Technically speaking, an overjet (sometimes called “buck teeth”) is the name given to upper teeth that protrude past the lower teeth.
What does this mean for Invisalign treatment?
These study results are great news for parents and kids alike!
Why? Because like the other half of the study group, orthodontists typically use appliances and braces or clear aligners to fix overbite and overjet. Sometimes this is done in two-phase treatment too.
But with the help of Dr. Andrews’ research, it’s been proven that full treatment with Invisalign can effectively correct overbite or overjet and it’s done in the same amount of time!
This means a more comfortable smile journey for your kiddo as Invisalign offers less office visits and a removable option. There’s no need for them to be fitted with an Herbst appliance which most of the time is used with braces.
While this study focused on early orthodontics, it just goes to show how effective Invisalign can truly be at treating moderate to severe malocclusions.
Want to talk more about Invisalign treatment?
If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to reach out to us! We’re happy to discuss any of our treatment options with you.
You can also ask to read our copy of the AJO-DO article at your next appointment! It’s filled with a full breakdown of this study complete with before and afters of the study participants.
Haven’t started your Invisalign journey yet? Get started today by requesting your free consultation.