The nearly invisible way to straighten your teenager’s teeth while avoiding diet restrictions and cleaning difficulties is Invisalign Teen. Instead of traditional metal brackets and wires, Invisalign consists of a series of clear plastic aligners that gently shift teeth into better positions.
Many parents and teens have questions about the process, so let’s get the facts.
What are the advantages? The aligners are removable to make eating and cleaning easy. There are no foods to avoid during treatment, and normal brushing and flossing are all that’s required. Your teen can even remove the aligners while playing sports or musical instruments. Invisalign Teen is a practical way to improve your teen’s smile.
Does it work as well as traditional braces? Yes, when worn consistently for the recommended 20-22 hours a day, Invisalign treats most orthodontic issues. This includes crowding, gaps, and bite issues that commonly send teens to the orthodontist. Look for a certified Invisalign Teen dental professional in your area to find out if your teen is a good candidate.
What if my teen is irresponsible? Invisalign Teen has a built-in check system to make it easy to know when it’s time to change aligners. Each tray has a blue indicator that fades over time, so the orthodontist will know if your teen is wearing the aligners as directed. Computer imaging also tracks your teen’s progress, allowing you to see how the teeth are moving and what the end results will look like. This spurs many teens on to see how great their smiles will be if they comply to the guidelines! Also, if your teen is one who tends to lose things all the time, don’t worry. Invisalign Teen provides six replacement aligners for free.
What about my teen’s busy schedule? Invisalign Teen requires less office visits than traditional braces since there are no adjustments or broken appliances. A checkup every 4-6 weeks is all that’s needed. Plus, the average overall treatment is often complete in as little as one year.
Research shows that self-conscious teens are happy to have an orthodontic option that is less embarrassing than traditional braces. This incognito approach, along with the other benefits, makes Invisalign Teen a solution worth checking out.
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.
Invisalign is an attractive option for many people who are seeking to correct misaligned, crooked or gapped teeth.
While Invisalign can produce fantastic results, there are some potential complications to consider:
- Some teeth may remain crooked at the end of treatment
- Teeth can maintain uneven heights relative to their adjacent teeth
- Misaligned or “open” bite on the back teeth
- Teeth that lean in opposing directions
- Allergic reactions to the Invisalign aligners
Most of these concerns are the direct result of the incorrect or improper use of the Invisalign aligners by the patient. Complications may also be the result of the inexperience or lack of skill of the dentist who is in charge of treatment. Making sure all treatment protocols are followed correctly is vital to the success of Invisalign treatment.
The patient plays a crucial role in avoiding these pitfalls. Patients must be committed to wearing their Invisalign aligners for the maximum amount of time recommended by your orthodontist. Failing to wear the aligners for the prescribed time will guarantee poor results.
In some cases, Invisalign may not be the best choice for your orthodontic needs. Patients who suffer from severely crooked or misaligned teeth will likely not achieve the desired results with Invisalign because they do not exert the necessary pressure to fix more extreme cases.
Patients who suffer from teeth grinding, or bruxism, may damage their aligners unintentionally. This type of damage will diminish the effect of the appliance, and may necessitate new aligners completely. In rare cases, patients may suffer from an allergic reaction to the aligners.
If you are unhappy with your crooked teeth, talk to your orthodontist to find out if you are a good candidate for Invisalign. Under the care of a qualified orthodontist and with proper maintenance, you can avoid complications and achieve a straighter, more beautiful smile.
Sherman Oaks Orthodontist
Straightening teeth and correcting alignment used to mean a mouthful of metal braces. Thanks to advances in orthodontics, traditional metal braces are no longer the only option. Today there is a newer treatment called Invisalign, which consists of a series of customized aligners that gradually move your teeth into the correct position. Invisalign provides a unique method of improving your smile, along with several other benefits that traditional braces do not offer.
Invisible
The aligners are created from clear plastic, so they are practically invisible when worn. Unlike the bulky metal brackets and rubber bands worn with traditional braces, Invisalign retainers are hardly noticeable. This is very appealing to people who don’t want their braces to stand out in social or professional situations.
Removable
Invisalign retainers are not cemented to your teeth like metal braces. They can be removed for brushing and flossing, so that dental care is simple during your orthodontic treatment. You can also remove the aligners for special occasions like important social events or photographs. However, for the best results, you should follow your doctor’s instructions for the amount of time to wear the retainers.
Faster results
Treatment tends to take less time with Invisalign compared to traditional braces. Aligners are changed every two weeks to gradually move the teeth, which is a faster process than getting an adjustment at the orthodontist every six weeks or so with traditional braces. Often, patients undergoing Invisalign treatment achieve the desired results in only a year.
Sherman Oaks Invisalign Dentist
