Crossbite - Braces or Invisalign?

[invisorbrace]

Hey guys,

I have a mild-ish cross bite, where my bottom mid-line is in the right place, but my top mid-line is 1/4 inch to my right. I also have some teeth that have shifted due to my unaligned bite.

I recently went to an orthodontist who said a simple treatment of Invisalign would fix my problem. I went to go get a second opinion, and that orthodontist said he would definitely recommend getting an expander and braces at the same time.

I'm a college student, and while I realize this time isn't as crucial as my adult years where having braces is less appropriate, I am extremely vain (at least I admit it ) and cannot have train tracks while in college.

The orthodontist who said I needed an expander and braces also said that he wouldn't recommend Invisalign for my case. But when I asked why, he just said it may not turn out as well as it would with conventional braces. And when I asked what the difference would be, he says he doesn't know.

I'm extremely torn because while I want the best thing for my teeth in order to achieve the most perfect smile (vain, I know...), I also want something like Invisalign where no one can see that I have something on.

Has anyone else gone from the expander & braces route to the Invisalign route? Or possibly even expander & Invisalign route? What could the differences be between getting braces and Invisalign in terms of differing results?

Thanks!!

[Wireless]

Check to see if there any orthodontists with advanced Invisalign experience in your area. I have a severe deep bite that would normally require regular braces. My orthodontist, who has an advanced degree in Orthodontics has had a lot of success in opening my bite with Invisalign alone, although I was told initially I may require regular braces near the end of treatment.

The Invisalign web site will let you search for advanced providers by location. It sounds like you would benefit by a second opinion.

[sadpanda]

I think that the differences between the two orthodontists are so great that you need to get yet another opinion. While I have no orthodontic training, someone who needs an expander and fixed braces seems like somone who wouldn't be a candidate for Invisalign. And someone who can benefit from Invisalign doesn't seem like someone who'd need orthodontic appliances other than braces. I just need braces and no expander and was told that Invisalign wouldn't work for my case. If you get a third or fourth opinion and then compare the treatment ideas, it'll be easier for you to choose and feel comfortable with an ortho you think will be treating you the right way. Luckily, when I went for some ortho consults, they all recommended the same treatment save for a very minor detail that was really up to me. Don't pick an ortho based on the opinions you have now because it's difficult to know which one is really looking out for you.