Does Invisalign Work On Bonded Teeth?

Composite bonding is a straightforward solution to many dental problems. Small cracks and chips can be covered, as can other surface imperfections. The surface of the tooth has been restored with the application of a bonding resin, which is similar to the material a dentist uses to fill a cavity. But will your upcoming Invisalign treatment be as successful when your teeth have been restored with composite bonding?

Compatible With Most Restorations

One of the many benefits Invisalign has is how compatible it is with existing dental restorations. Remember that the alignment of your teeth involves repositioning each individual tooth via its connection with the underlying bone. Any tooth with a natural root will move as expected. This means that dental implants, such as where the tooth's root has been replaced with the implant, will not respond to orthodontic realignment. Other restorations, including composite bonding, are integrated into the tooth's crown, leaving the root unaffected. As such, any bonded teeth will react to the treatment in the same way as an intact natural tooth.

Be Sure to Tell Your Orthodontist

If you should have bonded teeth, inform your orthodontist during your preliminary discussions. While these restorations won't compromise your treatment, it's important that your orthodontist is made aware. There's a very remote chance that the pressure exerted by your Invisalign aligners will damage your composite bonding. This is generally only a concern with bonding that may have degraded over the years. If any damage to your bonding should occur, it must be corrected immediately. This is because the fit of your aligner trays has taken the restoration into account, meaning that damaged composite bonding can cause an imperfect fit. 

Composite Bonding During Your Invisalign Treatment

Because a digital model of your teeth was created in order to fabricate your Invisalign aligners, these dimensions must not be altered during the course of your treatment. If you should receive composite bonding during your orthodontic treatment, the dimensions of your teeth are inevitably going to be altered. Again, this means that your aligners may no longer fit as they should. Composite bonding can safely be applied before or after your Invisalign treatment, but not during. 

Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that works in harmony with the majority of dental restorations. That being said, you must still alert your orthodontist to any dental restorations so that these can be taken into account as part of your overall treatment plan. For more information about Invisalign, contact a local dentist.