Many parents know about Invisalign®, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces. But I’m often asked for more information about Invisalign® Teen.
In short, rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth, a result of precise images I take with the sophisticated iTero Element Scanner. Your teen simply wears these aligners over their teeth and changes them out for a new set of aligners periodically—most often every two weeks. Little by little, your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place.
Here are the answers to the top five questions I’m asked about Invisalign Teen. I hope you find it helpful!
- INVISALIGN TEEN CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES.
When worn according to the customized plan I set in place, Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces. In fact, the chances are very high your teen will be a candidate for Invisalign as it can treat many of the common issues we see. Call us at (718) 848-6900 to set up an appointment to find out for sure.
- THERE ARE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN TEEN OVER TRADITIONAL BRACES.
With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so your teen can play sports, musical instruments and eat their favorite foods without the worry that braces will get in the way. Plus, it’s much easier to brush and floss normally to maintain proper oral hygiene.
- AN INVISIBLE SOLUTION CAN BOOST CONFIDENCE.
Research shows that parents underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about their smile—and their appearance in general. Wearing braces can often make this lack of confidence even worse. Invisalign Teen removes a potential source of anxiety, giving them more confidence during what can be a challenging time in their lives.
- YOUR TEEN HAS TO WEAR THE ALIGNERS MOST OF THE DAY.
Invisalign Teen is most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed approximately every two weeks. In fact, Invisalign Teen aligners have blue indicators that fade over time when used as directed so I can track compliance.
- YOU’LL SPEND LESS TIME AT MY OFFICE THAN WITH TRADITIONAL BRACES.
Invisalign Teen often requires less time with your orthodontist than traditional braces do. There are no adjustments to make, no brackets to re-glue and no broken wires to fix. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every four to six weeks.
Dr. Fotovat offers complimentary new patient exams. You can reach us at: 818-980-5300 or request an appointment here.
Teenagers are known for being busy and distracted, rushing from one thing to another. They often neglect things that they don’t realize are important parts of keeping healthy. One of the aspects of their lives that teens don’t make time for is properly taking care of their teeth. Here are some ways to help keep your teen’s mouth in good shape.
Brushing and flossing
The best way for your teen to avoid cavities is to brush twice daily with fluoride toothpaste, and floss once a day. Even though teenagers find it tempting to skip these dental hygiene steps, the payoff of having a mouth full of healthy and sparkling teeth will be worth it.
Nutritious diet
Cutting down on sugary foods and drinks is another way to protect teeth. Teens often grab quick snacks on the run, and are inclined to reach for items that don’t have much nutritional value. Try to keep a supply of foods that appeal to your teen without endangering their oral health.
Sealants
Dental sealants are a plastic coating that a dentist applies to teeth to create a barrier that protects teeth from developing cavities. They are usually applied to chewing surfaces of back teeth and to grooves in teeth. It’s a quick and easy process that can provide additional protection against tooth decay.
Mouth guards
Teens who are involved in sports or activities like skateboarding should wear a mouth guard to protect their teeth against injury. They are the best way to avoid broken or knocked out teeth, and also to protect the mouth and face from harm. Your dentist can recommend the best type of mouth guard for your teenager.
Orthodontist for teens in Sherman Oaks and the surrounding area.
When it’s time to talk about braces for your child’s teeth, many kids cringe and cause a fuss. They don’t want to be teased for a mouth full of metal, deal with unsightly food getting stuck in their teeth, and spend years with an embarrassing smile. Now there’s an alternative to traditional braces called Invisalign, which eliminates many of the reasons kids reject the idea of getting braces. Here are some of the main reasons that Invisalign should be an easy sell to your kids.
Invisible
The best advantage to Invisalign is that you can’t see it on your teeth. The clear plastic trays fit securely over the teeth, and are virtually invisible. Many people don’t even notice you are wearing Invisalign, which means no mocking from other kids or reluctance to smile.
Removable
You can take the Invisalign trays in and out of your mouth as desired. You’ll be able to clean your mouth just as you would without braces, so that it’s not only an easy process but also you have less risk for tooth decay or other problems related to poor hygiene.
No diet restrictions
Kids are especially thrilled with the fact that there are no limitations placed on their diets due to braces. Traditional braces restrict foods like popcorn, candy, and gum. Invisalign treatment allows you to eat as you normally would, so there’s less complaining from your kids during the treatment process.
Effective
Before you think that all these benefits mean that you’re giving up on the quality of orthodontic work, you can rest easy. Invisalign treatment effectively corrects alignment and straightening issues, and almost always in less time than traditional braces treatment requires. With Invisalign, the parents and the child are happy both during the treatment process and at the final outcome.
Invisalign dentist in Sherman Oaks, CA
While braces are a fantastic way to achieve a beautiful and perfectly aligned smile, they also can create difficulties in keeping your mouth completely clean and healthy. It can be tricky to clean effectively around the metal wires and brackets, and if you don’t realize the importance of maintaining a clean mouth, you may be destined for developing gum disease while you are wearing braces.
The best way to keep your mouth clean is to brush and floss regularly. While wearing braces, this often means several times a day for the best results. When you eat, the food gets caught in the wires and brackets that are part of your braces. Without brushing and flossing the trapped food away, it remains trapped and collects bacteria. This means that the bacteria combines with the acid in your mouth and can begin attacking your teeth and gums.
The more plaque and bacteria that attacks your gums, the greater your risk of developing gum disease. It starts out in the minor stages as gingivitis, but if left untreated will advance to periodontitis. If gum disease reaches this advanced stage, tooth loss can result. Your orthodontic treatment won’t be worth it if you end up losing your teeth!
Instead of fighting the battle of trying to regain healthy gums once you’ve developed gum disease, the better approach is to combat it in the first place. This means making time to brush and floss your teeth so that your mouth is kept clean. You’ll end up with a healthy mouth and an attractive smile, which was the goal of wearing braces in the first place.
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If you have been waiting your whole life to have your teeth straightened, there’s no reason to think it’s too late to have them corrected as an adult. The wait is over with Invisalign. Offering the same benefits as traditional braces as far as transforming your smile, Invisalign clear aligners also accomplish these goals without causing embarrassment or hassles. Let’s learn how Invisalign can benefit you.
Clear
The clear trays you wear during Invisalign treatment are barely visible to others. They are made of transparent plastic that allows your teeth to show as they normally would, instead of being covered with metal like traditional braces. You are able to smile and speak naturally, so others often don’t notice anything different about your teeth during treatment.
Removable
As opposed to metal brackets that are adhered to your teeth, Invisalign trays are removable. You can take them out of your mouth as you wish, making everyday activities like eating and playing sports simple and safe. You should wear the trays as much as possible to achieve the fastest straightening results, but it’s beneficial to have the option to remove them as needed.
No food limitations
There are no restrictions on the foods you can eat while undergoing Invisalign treatment. Culprits commonly known to endanger metal braces, such as popcorn and sticky candy, are acceptable for Invisalign patients because the trays will not break or become brittle.
Easy oral hygiene
Since the trays are removable, taking care of your teeth is the same as before Invisalign treatment. Simply remove the trays, perform your brushing and flossing routine, and then replace the trays when you are ready. There are no hassles of cleaning around metal brackets and wires, which is a common frustration with traditional braces.
Invisalign offers all of these benefits to you, while giving you the smile you’ve dreamed about. Consult Dr. Fotovat to find out how this teeth straightening method might help you.
