Invisalign with MA versus functional twin block brace

[Jane1014]

My dd needs her lower jaw bought forward but is struggling with idea of twin block brace since she has a strong gag reflex. Anyone used Invisalign with mandibular advancement and can share their experience? Does it work?

No advice for Invisalign sorry but DS2 had twin block braces for a good while to bring his jaw forward. He’s got a strong gag reflex but they didn’t trigger it. Having the impressions done did make him retch but that was a one time thing.

Luckily his orthodontist told him to take them out to eat and drink although I know of another child who was instructed to keep them in while they ate by a different ortho.

Thanks. My older dd had them and was fine but dd tried to have moulds done last week and couldn’t tolerate it and have to try again which I’m dreading. Good to know the twin block didn’t make them feel same .

How old is dd?

if she is school age I would not recommend Invisalign unless they are very committed and self Motivated.

my dd campaigned for Invisalign. Initially it went well, but then she stopped wearing them for school as she was embarrassed having to pop them out, clean her teeth, and back in to eat. Especially when they only got a short break, she didn’t have time to and from the toilet.

she watched to many of the tv ads and convinced herself they’d work just as well if she only wore them at night. Then would eat and forget to put them back in, or they’d pop out. She knew she wasn’t wearing them enough, so avoided the scan thing.

eventually the dentist said enough and switched to fixed braces. I’ve since found out that Invisalign isn’t really advised for under 16’s, or u18’s, precisely for this reason.

12 but this would be the same issue for a twin block brace which is even more bulky and uncomfortable than Invisalign

when DS had impressions the dentist got him to sit up and put his head forward so the saliva could drain out . That seemed to help a bit with the gag reflex

Thanks. I read that today and going to try that next time.

Not exactly what you’re asking for but my DD had her impressions taken without the revolting moulds using some kind of scanning technology. My DS had the same for a custom mouth guard. If the impressions are a problem you could look for this.

I don’t see how Invisalign would work.

My daughter needed her lower jaw brought forward and her upper teeth pushed back and together. She initially had a twin block (lower and upper) but didn't get on with it at all and barely wore it. We switched to Invisalign two years ago, she was really committed to wearing them, only took them out to eat, then straight back in. Her jaw is now properly aligned and teeth perfect - she was signed off by her Orthodontist yesterday. It was expensive but so worth it for us. She was 12 when she started wearing them, 14 now and will have a retainer at night for life (in theory).

We know twin block appliances work , we also know Invisalign has its limitations and in mandibular advancement cases have to be chosen very carefully and there is little peer reviewed evidence for it in children.

With any mandibular advancement patient co operation is key , it is important to know that gagging is not a physical problem (otherwise we would gag with eating and drinking) and can be overcome with de sensitisation ie if they need impressions taking home trays and practicing with them first . Any brace, even Invisalign , needs a lot of adjustment and tolerance.

It also has to be said twin block is available on the NHS, Invisalign is not so there is the financial case.

Mandibular advancement with Invisalign is controversial in dentistry and this blog gives some of the background to these misgivings https://kevinobrienorthoblog.com/lets-talk-about-invisalign-mandibular-advancement/

DS 17 had twin block braces and has fixed top braces now bottom hopefully going on in June, we looked into invasalign but the results aren’t as good and expensive he had to keep his block braces in to eat only take them out for swimming. He gags a lot and to be honest had scans instead and of the molds which helped. But had no issues with the block braces and he wore them for 2 years.

From what my orthodontist told me, you can't get Invisalign if you need your jaw/bite adjusting in any way because Invisalign literally just straightens the teeth and you can be left with an over/underbite which can cause other problems.