Braces are a HUGE part of being a teen…..wanting them…..which type to get… getting them and then getting teased….. feeling self-concisous and then demanding them off for prom!!
Getting teased is one thing but it is the discomfort and annoyance that comes with fixed metal brackets which is really the killer. Add in a few breakages that add on extra treatment time and a few extra appointments….and it soon gets tiresome!
Enter Invisalign Teen removable plastic aligners that do much the same as metal braces, made specifically for teenagers.
Invisalign is universally lauded as being easier to wear, less noticeable, and more comfortable than metal braces.
Life is stressful enough. Here is one less thing to stress about, get your smile straightened without having to deal with braces.
Invisalign means you smile and straighten at the same time. Don’t let braces stand in the way of your confidence!
Invisalign for Teens is customised, clear, removable, comfortable and guaranteed to straighten teeth. But are they right for your teen?
Here are some questions that every parent has about Invisalign for teens.
1. How does Invisalign Teen work?
Invisalign Teen is a clear aligner system for teeth made specifically for teenagers.
It provides an almost invisible way of straightening teeth using clear, removable aligners that are custom-made specifically for your teen’s teeth. Traditional braces use wires, brackets, and bands while Invisalign replaces all of these appliances with simple, clear aligners.
How can these plastic trays actually move teeth? They actually do it in a very similar way to braces by applying pressure gradually. Every 1-2 weeks the aligners are changed, and the teeth will continue to move. There may be some discomfort as the teeth adjust to the new aligner, but there is generally less discomfort than with metal braces.
2. Is Invisalign more expensive than other types of treatments?
One of the reasons many parents decide on metal braces instead of Invisalign is the misconception that Invisalign is more expensive. At IOM Ortho we are so committed to Invisalign as a treatment we want it to be available to everyone – and so the price is the same as fixed metal braces – and in some cases may even be cheaper!
3. What happens if you lose an aligner?
It is possible that your teen might take out the aligners to eat lunch at school, put them on a napkin, and accidentally through them away, or leave them at a friend’s house, or they might, as things do, just disappear!! They’re teenagers after all!!
In general it is not a problem and we generally advise to move to the next one.
4. How many hours a day does my teen need to wear the aligners?
In order for treatment to be as effective as possible, aligners need to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours every day. That gives plenty of time to take them out for eating and cleaning. At all other times, as often as possible, they should be worn. Sometimes, your teen might have extra-curricular that require them to be removed; but Invisalign aligners are designed to be discreet enough that they can be worn at all other times without disrupting your teen’s life.
5. Are there any diet restrictions?
With Invisalign, unlike fixed braces, there are no dietary restrictions. In fact, because your teen removes the aligners for eating, they can eat whatever they like, whenever they’d like.
6. How can I know if my teen is wearing the aligners?
We will be able to tell! We will check progress alongside a digital outcome simulation. We also encourage use of the Trayminder App to set reminders about changing aligners and wear time
