Are you ready for a straighter smile that makes you feel more confident? One of the best ways to accomplish this is with Invisalign. Whether you’re a teenager or an adult, there are now ways for you to benefit from this treatment. In this blog, we will be discussing who could benefit from Invisalign Teen and how the process works.
What Is Invisalign?
When many people think about orthodontic treatment, they think about traditional braces. While there is nothing wrong with traditional braces, today there are different alternatives that are more comfortable, less noticeable, and a better fit for many lifestyles. Invisalign is one such solution. Both Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are a series of clear aligners that are used to correct a variety of cosmetic and bite problems.
Invisalign has been around for many years, but the Teen line is newer. It has special features that make it simpler to tell if your teen is following proper wear instructions and accommodate a growing smile. One of many reasons why patients prefer Invisalign and Invisalign Teen over other alternatives is that it takes less time on average than traditional braces.
How Are Invisalign and Invisalign Teen Different?
Invisalign and Invisalign Teen have many things in common, including how they work. Both of them use clear aligner trays worn in a specific order to shift your teeth to the final resting position. Despite all that they have in common, there are a couple of key differences that make the Teen line more appropriate for growing young adults.
One of the most noticeable differences is the compliance dot placed in aligners. On a tray from Invisalign Teen, you will see a small blue dot on the back. These dots are made of a special material that disappears after the trays have been worn enough. While they cannot tell the difference between wearing your trays for 20 hours or 22 hours, for example, they are an excellent way for orthodontists to make sure that teenagers are being compliant.
The dots have been added to trays not just to make sure that all aligners are being worn enough, but also to make sure that the treatment plan is not progressing too quickly. There is a very special order that must be followed to comfortably shift teeth over time. If trays are skipped or someone rushes ahead before their teeth have completely shifted, you will not have an optimal experience.
Finally, another difference between the two types of plans is the number of trays that are included. The Invisalign Teen regimen includes an extra amount of replacement trays that can be issued in the event that your teen loses or misplaces a tray. Orthodontists understand that things happen, and it’s much harder to expect a teen to keep track of their trays than an adult. By building these into the cost of the program, you don’t need to worry about major surprise expenses over the course of treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Teen?
There are many different benefits of choosing clear aligners over traditional braces. Some of them include:
- Clear aligners are removable, which makes it easier to eat, drink, and maintain ideal oral health
- Many teenagers and children are self-conscious about wearing traditional braces, and clear aligners are virtually invisible
- Clear aligners tend to be more comfortable than traditional braces because they do not have wires or brackets in the mouth that could poke or scrape the cheeks and tongue
- Because clear aligner trays cannot be broken in the same way that brackets can be, there are far fewer orthodontic emergencies with Invisalign than with traditional braces
What Problems Can Invisalign Teen Fix?
There are many different things that Invisalign can be used to treat, including:
- Crowding
- Gapping
- Crooked teeth
- Underbite, crossbite, and overbite issues
- Open bite
- And more!
Are There Alternatives to Invisalign?
Absolutely! While Invisalign is typically used as an alternative to traditional braces, it’s not appropriate for every orthodontic situation. For example, if you have a severe overbite or underbite, traditional braces are going to be a better way to solve your problem. Your orthodontist will meet with you to review your current oral health, your goals for your smile, and what methods might be best to correct your current issues.
Beyond Invisalign and Invisalign Teen, you can also explore clear braces, metal braces, and other orthodontic solutions. Advances in technology have made it so that virtually any orthodontic problem can be fixed with help from an experienced orthodontist.