Did You Have Invisalign and Now Have Gum Recession? SFOT Prevents That From Happening!

Have you completed Invisalign and now notice gum recession? Or are you considering orthodontic treatment but already know you have thin gums or bone?

Orthodontic tooth movement, such as Invisalign, can worsen gum recession in patients with thin bone or existing recession if the foundation isn’t properly prepared first. Moving teeth without adequate support can expose root surfaces, increase sensitivity, and lead to long-term periodontal issues.

In this video, we explain why SFOT (Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy) should be considered before Invisalign in certain patients. SFOT is a collaborative approach where a periodontist and orthodontist work together to strengthen the bone and gum tissue before tooth movement. This creates a healthier foundation, allows for safer orthodontic treatment, and helps prevent future recession.

Using a real patient case, we show how this patient came to us with widespread recession and thin bone. His dentist was hesitant to move the teeth because doing so without addressing the foundation would have made the recession worse. By combining SFOT with Invisalign, we were able to thicken the bone and gums, correct existing recession, safely realign the teeth, and complete treatment in just 3 months instead of the typical 6–9 months.

If this patient had continued Invisalign without addressing the underlying issues, the recession would have progressed. We see many patients online sharing that they developed recession after Invisalign or orthodontic treatment. The key takeaway is this: before moving teeth, make sure you’re addressing the health and strength of the bone and gums. If you’re considering Invisalign or already noticing recession after orthodontics, make sure you talk to your dentist or periodontist about treating the cause, not just the alignment. Straight teeth are important, but healthy gums and bone are essential.