Many cosmetic issues can affect the self-esteem and confidence of teenagers. One of those issues is a misaligned smile. If your teen is concerned about their smile, you should consult an orthodontist to see if Invisalign treatment is right for them. Here are answers to frequently asked questions about Teen Invisalign.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a series of invisible plastic aligners. The purpose of these aligners is to straighten teeth. Invisalign comes in a set and needs to be interchanged every other week. Therefore, patients do not have to visit the orthodontist regularly to make the right adjustments.
The length of time a teenager needs to wear Invisalign depends on the position of their teeth and their cosmetic goals. Typically, many teenagers wear the aligners for one year.
What Conditions Does Teen Invisalign Treat?
Invisalign uses advanced technology to resolve a wide range of orthodontic conditions, which are often treated with braces. Some of the conditions that orthodontists treat with Invisalign include:
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Overbite
- Widely spaced teeth
- Overly crowded teeth
- Overly crowded teeth
During an Invisalign procedure, the orthodontist will take a few images of the patient’s face and smile. From here, custom aligners are created specifically for your child’s treatment.
What Is the Difference Between Teen Invisalign and Invisalign for Adults?
Teen Invisalign addresses specific barriers that affect adolescents. First, teens tend to forget to put the aligners back after eating or drinking. Invisalign for teens addresses this problem by incorporating a blue indicator dot on the aligners to track how many hours the aligners were worn on a particular day. Adult Invisalign aligners do not have this tracking feature.
The other difference between adults and Invisalign for teens is the number of aligners in the devices. Teens can sometimes require more replacement aligners because they are more likely to damage or lose theirs.
What Are the Benefits of Teen Invisalign?
Teen Invisalign has numerous benefits that parents should consider before opting for other alternative cosmetic procedures. These include the following:
1. Easy to Monitor Use
The blue indication dots on teen Invisalign vanish with time. If your child is not wearing their aligners, you will know. They should wear the aligners for 20-24 hours a day. This indicator gives you some peace of mind since you can monitor their use when your teenager is away.
2. Safe for Recreational Activities
Mouth injuries during high-impact activities were common with traditional braces. In contrast, Invisalign can be taken out during these practices. Furthermore, the smooth plastic won’t injure the mouth if a patient does not take off the aligners during sporting activities.
Additionally, teenagers who play instruments can take off their aligners during rehearsals. With metal braces, a patient would have to relearn how to hold their mouth with the braces on.
3. Appearance
Teens may be self-conscious about their looks. Teen Invisalign is nearly invisible to the naked eye. These aligners are an attractive and seamless way to straighten teeth.
4. Comfort During Treatment
Metal braces tend to be uncomfortable and can only be taken off by an orthodontist. This means a patient has to wear them when eating or drinking. On the other hand, clear braces can be taken off when eating, drinking, or brushing your teeth.
The ability to remove Invisalign aligners as needed allows teenagers to take better care of their teeth. Moreover, aligners are not as bulky as metal brackets. This means teenagers do not have to worry about hurting their tongues or cheeks.
5. No Dietary Restrictions
Braces need patients to follow a specific diet. With braces, your teenager may be restricted from eating hard foods like popcorn, ice, and corn on the cob. This might prevent your teens from eating the foods they love.
However, with invisible aligners, there are no dietary restrictions. This is because they can be removed during meal time. Therefore, parents do not have to worry about their teenager popping a wire or breaking an anchor.
6. Less Time in Treatment
Braces need to be in place for up to five years. One benefit of Invisalign is that your teenager may have to use it for 1-2 years. This allows them more time to focus on things they love instead of worrying about their orthodontist appointments.
If your teenager is concerned about their smile, you can restore their self-confidence by scheduling an Invisalign treatment. Not only will Invisalign help correct their misaligned teeth but the treatment is also suited for a teenager’s lifestyle. Contact your orthodontist in Matthews NC for more information about teen Invisalign for your child.