If you are looking for Invisalign for your teenager. You should know that Invisalign is the best way to straighten your teeth because it is virtually invisible, so no one will know you are wearing them. Read on to learn more about Invisalign for teens.
The Teen’s Guide to Invisalign
Straightening crooked or crowded teeth can seem like a nightmare for teenagers. Understandably, very few young people are going to want to deal with wearing traditional braces. Fortunately, one of the best possible alternatives to metal braces is affordable, accessible, and produces excellent results.
Read on to learn more about Invisalign and why it’s a great option for teens.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is an alignment system used to straighten a patient’s teeth. Like traditional braces, Invisalign works by applying pressure to the teeth in order to push them in specific directions. Unlike traditional braces, however, Invisalign doesn’t affect the way a patient’s teeth look during the time they’re working to perfect tooth alignment.
This is because instead of using metal wires and brackets to move teeth into the correct position, Invisalign uses a series of clear, plastic trays. These trays, called aligners, are custom designed to fit the patient’s teeth perfectly. Because they’re designed to fit each patient’s mouth, they lay snug against the individual’s teeth so that they’re almost undetectable.
How Does Invisalign Work?
Invisalign works similarly to traditional braces. The aligner trays are designed to form a tight fit and because of this, they put gentle pressure on the teeth. Over time, this pressure causes the patient’s teeth to move into the position the dentist has planned.
Instead of going to the dentist’s office every few weeks to have the aligners tightened as traditional braces require, Invisalign doesn’t need to be tightened. This is because Invisalign aligner trays come in a series, each more snug than the last. During the patient’s first appointment for Invisalign in Charlotte, the dentist fits the first tray into the patient’s mouth.
The patient then wears the tray day and night for the next few weeks. When the dentist decides that it’s time to change trays, the patient will remove the first tray and start wearing the next one in the series. This process continues until the patient has cycled through all of the trays in the system.
When this happens, the patient’s teeth will have successfully moved into the position that the dentist designed for them.
Why is Invisalign Good for Teens?
Invisalign can be a great option for teens for several reasons. For one, the fact that this treatment option is so close to being invisible can be great for a teen’s confidence. With Invisalign, your teen can smile for photos and keep speaking clearly while the system is actively moving their teeth.
On top of that, Invisalign can actually take less time than traditional braces to straighten a patient’s teeth. This means less time dealing with the treatment itself and more time enjoying the results.
Invisalign is usually more comfortable for teens than traditional braces as well. Because there are no metal pieces, there is no rubbing or poking like what commonly occurs with metal braces. The pressure that Invisalign places on the patient’s teeth is also much gentler than that of traditional braces, which results in less discomfort.
Furthermore, because Invisalign can be removed, it doesn’t interfere with a teen’s ability to maintain good oral hygiene. Teens can simply remove the trays to brush and floss, rinse each tray with warm water, and be done with it. There’s no need to worry about getting food particles caught in brackets or stains settling into your child’s teeth with this alignment system.
Finally, most teenagers find Invisalign more convenient than traditional braces. That said, they’re willing to wear the trays according to the plan their dentist designs because they know that doing so will give them a straight, perfect smile as quickly as possible.
Benefits of Invisalign
On top of the conveniences and aesthetic benefits of Invisalign, Charlotte Invisalign treatments are fully customizable. Invisalign offers an end-to-end experience for patients, which includes a wide selection of products and services that can be used to enhance your child’s confidence and improve the outcomes that result from their treatment plan.
Invisalign is incredibly effective when the trays are worn as intended. In fact, 95% of orthodontists who use Invisalign to straighten their patients’ teeth believe that it’s the primary treatment option for teenagers.
More than 2 million teens have undergone Invisalign treatment, and as a result, those 2 million young people are now taking advantage of perfectly straight teeth.
Frequently Asked Questions about Invisalign for Teens
What is the Invisalign treatment process?
The process involved with getting Invisalign for teens starts with a visit to the orthodontist. During the visit, the orthodontist will examine the patient’s mouth, create 3D images of the patient’s teeth, and use a computer program to design the pathway that the Invisalign system will follow to align teeth properly.
The patient will be fitted for their trays and the orthodontist will then design the trays before having them fabricated. Once the patient starts wearing the first tray, he or she can practically proceed with life as usual, so long as they remove the trays to eat, drink, and clean their teeth.
After several weeks, the patient will trade out one tray for the next in the series. This process continues until the end of the treatment. Each tray slowly moves the patient’s teeth until they’re in the right position to make the switch to the next tray.
What happens when I’m done with Invisalign treatment?
When a patient finishes their treatment, he or she will need to wear retainers to keep their teeth from moving back to where they used to be. Fortunately, the retainers don’t need to be worn all the time. Depending on the dentist’s instructions, most patients can expect to wear a retainer at night. Gradually, the amount of time the retainers are needed will decrease.
Since having my braces removed, my teeth have shifted. Can Invisalign treatment fix this?
Yes, Invisalign can correct mild to moderate migration that might occur after a patient has his or her braces removed. Ask your orthodontist about the Charlotte Invisalign options that might be suitable for addressing this issue.
If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign for teens, reach out to Friendly Dental Group in Charlotte to book an appointment. We’ll explain the process, go over each of your teen’s options, and help you determine the right treatment for your child’s needs.