Invisalign® for Teens
For many teens, appearances matter. No matter if they’re at school or going out to hang out with friends, looking good is important. Crooked teeth can significantly impact the quality of their smile and their overall appearance. While braces are an effective treatment for correcting misaligned teeth, the bright, shiny metal of this treatment can leave your teen feeling incredibly self-conscious. At Naborowski Orthodontics, we can help your teen to achieve a beautiful smile in an entirely discreet manner with Invisalign.
The Trouble With Metal BracesMetal braces have been the go-to treatment for correcting alignment issues for decades. The treatment uses metal brackets and wires to achieve straight teeth and enhance the appearance of the smile. The brackets are bonded to the front surfaces of the teeth, and a wire spans the arch, attached to each bracket using ligatures. The wires put pressure on the teeth to move them into the correct alignment.
While metal braces are effective, they also have a few distinct disadvantages. One of the biggest drawbacks is that they are quite prominent. When your teen smiles, all others will see is a mouth full of metal. The idea of a shiny metal smile in class pictures and pictures posted on social media can be rather embarrassing. The last thing your teen wants to be remembered for is wearing braces. Another major drawback is that metal braces can be uncomfortable. Brackets can rub the gums causing sores. If brackets break, they can poke your teen in the cheeks, causing pain.
What Is Invisalign?Invisalign is an incredible alternative to traditional metal braces that allow your teen to achieve straighter teeth and a more beautiful smile. This treatment uses clear plastic aligners to achieve these goals. The aligners sit over their teeth, much like a sports mouth guard. Because the aligners are clear, they completely disappear from view when your teen smiles.
Rather than being affixed to the surfaces of the teeth, Invisalign aligners are removable. Your teen can enjoy all of their favorite foods without worrying if they are going to pop a bracket lose or break a wire. They can hang out with their friends and not have to worry about what to avoid eating. Your teen can also brush and floss their teeth normally. To achieve the best results in the shortest amount of time, it is important that your teen wear their aligners 20 to 22 hours every day.
How Does Invisalign Work?Treatment with Invisalign involves the use of a series of aligners. Depending upon the needs of your teen, they could go through anywhere from 18 to 30 sets by the time their treatment is complete. Their aligners are made from digital impressions that we take of their mouth. Specialized software allows us to see every step of their treatment and allows your teen to see their smile before they even begin treatment. Every set of aligners is made to be worn for two weeks at a time before moving to the next set. Each set is slightly different, helping to guide the teeth gradually into proper alignment. Once treatment is complete, your teen is provided with a retainer to help maintain their beautiful new smile.
The Benefits of Invisalign for TeensInvisalign provides your teen with many incredible benefits.| • |
The aligners are invisible. Your teen can smile confidently throughout the duration of their treatment.
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The aligners are removable. Your teen can eat all of their favorite foods as well as brush and floss their teeth normally.
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Fewer office visits. Your teen is provided with several sets of aligners. They require fewer office visits, which means less disruption in their busy schedule.
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Shorter treatment. Patients wearing Invisalign typically see results in 9 to 15 months. Many achieve the desired results in less than a year. |
With Invisalign, your teen can achieve an improved smile and better oral health, all in a more discreet manner. For more information on Invisalign, and to find out if it is the right treatment for your teen, call Naborowski Orthodontics today at (630) 543-5051. |
