Is Your Teen a Candidate for Invisalign Teen?
Many teenagers wear braces, but that doesn’t make the metal brackets and wires any easier to accept. Invisalign Teen is a welcome, discreet alternative. These clear braces for teenagers eliminate the discomfort and visibility of conventional braces while straightening teeth efficiently. Learn more about whether your teen qualifies from certified Invisalign provider Dr. Charmaine Johnson at Premier Smile Center in Fort Lauderdale.
How Invisalign Teen Works
All types of Invisalign work the same way, moving a few teeth at a time at a consistent pace until complete alignment is achieved. Invisalign Teen is no exception. Here are the basic rules of wearing this orthodontic alternative:
- Trays must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day.
- Change trays every two weeks or as instructed by your provider.
- Clean trays daily and brush and floss teeth before putting the aligners back in place.
- Visit your Fort Lauderdale Invisalign provider every six to eight weeks for a check-up and to collect new trays.
Invisalign Teen also has a few elements that are different from conventional Invisalign and are designed specifically with adolescents in mind:
- Wear indicators on every tray fade as the aligners are worn, showing that Invisalign Teen is on teeth the proper amount of time.
- Eruption tabs are included in trays for patients who still have adult teeth that need to erupt. This feature guides new teeth into their proper position so alignment efforts stay on track throughout treatment.
- Patients have six replacement aligners available to them should they accidentally lose, break, or throw away a tray.
Why Many Patients Prefer Invisalign Teen to Metal Braces
Metal braces are a proven success. This orthodontic intervention has created millions of strong, healthy, beautiful smiles for teenagers and will continue to do so. There are, however, some perks Invisalign Teen offers that metal braces do not.
Discreet
Teens appreciate the ability to blend in when they want to and these clear aligners make this possible. The trays are thin, clear, and fit so snugly against the teeth that they are barely noticeable if at all. Smiles, selfies, and social settings will be just as much fun as they always have been. Orthodontic treatment stays secret.
Comfortable
No need to worry about brackets or wires snagging on the lips, cheeks, or gums. Invisalign Teen trays are smooth and easily slide off the soft tissues of the mouth without causing injury.
No restrictions
Crunchy, sticky, and chewy foods are off limits when someone is sporting metal braces if you don’t want to damage the hardware. There are no food restrictions with Invisalign Teen. Trays must be removed for all meals and snacks so teens and their favorite foods will never be apart.
No interruptions
Whether a teen plays a sport or an instrument, whether they’re in theatre or chorus, whether they’re on the debate team or a morning announcer, Invisalign Teen will not get in the way. Clear aligners actually boost confidence and help develop a healthy self-image.
Good Candidates for Invisalign Teen
Every patient is different. Some teens will be ideal candidates for this cosmetic dentistry procedure, others will have more complex misalignment problems that need to be treated with conventional metal braces. There is also the matter of responsibility. While most teenagers wholly embrace Invisalign treatment and take good care of their trays to ensure their progress stays on track, parents know their kids best. There will be a conversation about whether your teen is prepared to wear, clean, and store their aligners properly every single day of their treatment.
Schedule a consultation with Dr. Charmaine Johnson, Fort Lauderdale Invisalign provider, to find out if your adolescent is a good candidate for this type of orthodontic treatment.