Invisalign for rotation of incisors

[CornetPlayer]

Just wondering if anyone has experience (successful or otherwise) of using Invisalign to correct rotated incisors and/or close large gaps?

(I was going to add a photo here or link to my blog which has some pictures, but turns out I can't do either as a new member)

I ask because I visited an orthodontist a while back who said that Invisalign would work for me and rotating the my front teeth shouldn't be a problem, although it may not be possible to quite close my gaps where I'd previously had teeth extracted. However I consulted with my regular dentist, who asked another orthodontist (that he rates very highly) for advice, and he doesn't think Invisalign would be suitable because of the rotation of my teeth.

Now clearly I don't want to waste lots of money on a treatment that has a high chance of not working, and I'm inclined to trust the orthodontist who won't be benefiting financilly from my decision, but then he hasn't actually seen my teeth and as a brass player it's got to be Invisalign or nothing...

[arciedee]

Hello from a fellow (well, former) brass player!

If you're at the point of Invisalign or nothing, I'd suggest going to the Invisalign website and finding the orthodontists in your area that have "Elite" or "Premier" status. Yes, this status is largely based purely on the number of cases they do with Invisalign, but at the same time, the more experience an orthodontist has with the product, the more likely s/he is to know the full abilities AND limitations of the system. The consults are generally free, so it can't hurt to get in front of a few orthodontists and mention your concerns and see how they would approach it.

I haven't had the issues you've had, but have experienced a lot of rotation of my canines, a nice bit of incisor tipping, and some closing diastemas that were created (on purpose) during my first phase of treatment. I'm amazed at how much change I've been able to do with what appears to be some flimsy trays and some blobs of cement on my teeth!

[CornetPlayer]

Hi arciedee,

Thanks for your advice. I was already thinking I probably ought to try and get some more opinions. Unfortunately, living in rural England, I have very few options of Invisalign providers. There are just two within a sensible distance and I've already visited the one with the highest status (and that's only a 'Silver' -I can't find any with 'Elite' or 'Premier'). The other doesn't appear to have specific status, which I presume means they're less experienced. Plus they charge a lot even for a first consultation. Maybe I'll just have to cough up.

I've taken a look at your blog and it's good to see someone so enthusiastic about Invisalign! Unfortunately the rotation of my incisors appears much more severe, and my gaps are pretty large since they are from the removal of a premolar on each side. I've yet to find anyone who has achieved a anything like the amount of movement I require using Invisalign

[CornetPlayer]

I know I can't post links as a new member, but I hope this is acceptable...
If you search 'brassbanderbraces blogspot' you should come across my blog which has a few photos to give an idea of what I'm working with.

[arciedee]

Ah... didn't realize that you are across the pond from me! Sounds like you've already met with the most experienced provider in your area and you've gotten some good info from the consult.

I took a look at your blog. I'm no dental professional by any stretch of the imagination, but I've looked at lots of before and after Invisalign photos and it doesn't seem like your rotation issue is anything truly unusual. One of my front incisors was about as rotated as yours at the beginning of treatment (hard to tell from the angle of the photos I have on my blog) and it has come around a lot in the past 20 trays! I would guess that the gap closing would probably be the main challenge, but again, I'm just being an armchair ortho, here! If you can, you could ask the ortho you've consulted with if they have before and after pictures of similar cases to see how they have done with Invisalign.

It's a very personal, and very scary decision, but I wish you the best of luck!