Invisalign for Teens
Live Life Smiling
What Is Invisalign?
When most people think about the various treatment options that are used to correct issues like crooked or crowded teeth, they probably call to mind images of traditional braces because that’s what they’re already familiar with. In traditional braces, a series of metal brackets are attached to each one of the teeth that are then tied together via a specially designed type of wire. The strength of that wire is what applies friction to the brackets, which “moves” the teeth into their intended position over time.
Invisalign, on the other hand, works a bit differently in that there are no brackets or wires at all. Instead, 3D scans are taken of your teenager’s teeth that are then used to create a series of clear plastic trays. Those trays gently shift the teeth into the correct position over time, thus offering an alternative treatment option to traditional braces that is just as effective, and that works out to be just about the same cost.
Why Should My Teenager Consider Invisalign?
Teenagers, in particular, should consider Invisalign because of the wide variety of aesthetic benefits that they bring to the table. For starters, Invisalign aligners are designed to be as discreet as possible – to the point where most people probably won’t even realize that your teen is wearing them unless they come right out and say so.
Likewise, teens can absolutely continue to enjoy the active lifestyle they always have and can play sports to their heart’s content. They’ll still have to wear a mouthguard and other protection while in play, however.
How Long Will My Teenager Have Invisalign?
The answer to this question is difficult to answer because it will obviously vary wildly depending on the specific type of issue you’re trying to correct. Some problems – like crowded teeth – take far longer to correct than something more straightforward like an overbite.
Having said that, most people usually wear Invisalign for about two years – provided that they wear their trays for at least 22 hours a day for the duration.
What Types of Orthodontic Problems Does Invisalign Address?
All told, Invisalign is an ideal solution for correcting a wide array of different orthodontic problems – often at the same time.
In addition to the aforementioned problems like crooked teeth or an overbite, Invisalign is also great for:
- An underbite
- A crossbite
- Gaps in the teeth
- An open bite
- Crowded teeth
- Tooth shape issues
- And much, much more
The Advantages of Invisalign
Overall, Invisalign brings with it a host of unique advantages that can’t be ignored – particularly when you compare them to something like traditional braces.
The most immediate of those is that your teenager will still be able to enjoy the foods that he or she loves. With traditional braces, there are dietary restrictions that you’re dealing with because you don’t want to damage the bracket or wire system. With Invisalign, you can just pop the aligners out of your mouth and put them back in when your meal is over. Just remember to brush and floss your teeth before you do so, of course.
As previously mentioned, Invisalign also has a minimal visual impact and is by far the most discreet option available. There are no clunky metal brackets to deal with and you’re instead left with a comfortable set of clear aligners.
Invisalign aligners are also very easy to remove for special events, like sporting events or picture day at school. Your teen won’t have to worry about their dental treatment being immortalized for all-time in photos.
Finally, because of the unique way in which they’re constructed, Invisalign is far more comfortable than traditional braces – all for a system that is every bit as effective.
