Studies have shown that today’s teens are under more pressure than ever, from society, from their peers and from themselves. Some of the most awkward times in a person’s life can be during puberty, between the ages of 11 and 14. It’s during this time that so many teens are getting braces.
Most orthodontists wait to begin orthodontia until a patient’s adult teeth have fully descended. This corresponds with puberty in most young people. When braces are applied at this stage, the bones of the mouth are still forming and tooth alignment issues can be corrected far more quickly than they can be corrected in adults. Unfortunately, adding the aesthetic burden of metal braces can lead many teens to feel unhappy and dissatisfied regarding their appearance.
Invisalign aligners directly address these aesthetic issues by providing teeth straightening via a series of clear plastic trays, or aligners. These aligners stay in place most of the day and straighten a teen’s teeth in stages. When one tray’s work is done, another tray takes its place.
If a teen’s adult teeth have not fully erupted, Invisalign aligners can have eruption tabs to accommodate incoming teeth. With such design features as power ridges, Invisalign can provide the high level of force needed to move even the largest tooth and its roots.
Aligners allow your teen to remove the trays while eating and brushing, keeping his or her mouth healthier. Trays must be worn as recommended, however, in order to achieve best results. Invisalign should be in the mouth a minimum of twenty-two hours a day, so your teen must be responsible and dedicated.
Ask Sherman Oaks Invisalign orthodontist Dr. Fotovat if your teen is a candidate for Invisalign. Your teen may be able to have straighter teeth without the embarrassment of being a “brace face.”
