If you and your child are interested in an alternative to braces for teens, consider Invisalign®. These clear aligners can be just as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces but have certain qualities that make them more appealing to teenagers.
It is usually preferable to begin teeth straightening treatment after all the permanent teeth have come in. That is why this treatment usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence. While it is possible to straighten adults' teeth, it is beneficial to start during adolescence before the bones of the skull have completely fused together.
Only some people are candidates for Invisalign, but it may be an option if your child's malalignment is relatively mild. Teenage candidates for clear aligners can benefit from Invisalign in a similar fashion to traditional braces.
Traditional braces consist of metal wires and brackets. When these hard components rub up against the soft tissues of the cheeks and lips, they can cause friction. The tissues inside the mouth are delicate and sensitive, and the constant pressure can cause irritation and sore spots. Invisalign consists of smooth plastic, so it does not produce as much irritation due to friction.
Maintaining oral hygiene is important when your teen is undergoing treatment so that they are still healthy once the teeth are straight. Brushing and flossing with braces attached to the teeth can be more challenging. Clear aligners are removable, making it easier for your child to brush and floss after every meal.
Traditional braces put limits on the things your teen can eat and drink. Foods that are hard, sticky, and chewy can bend wires and pull brackets off teeth. Because your teen removes clear aligners for eating and drinking, no food is completely forbidden during the treatment. As a result, there is also less chance that you have to make an emergency call to your orthodontist about acute damage to braces.
While there are variations on traditional braces to make them less noticeable, they always remain visible. Invisalign consists of clear plastic that will snuggly fit the teeth. The near invisibility makes the aligners difficult to see, even when specifically looking for them.
Teenagers can feel self-conscious about their appearance and may go out of their way to hide the braces on their teeth. Regardless of how noticeable their braces are to others, they may make teens feel uncomfortably conspicuous. Because clear aligners are practically invisible, teens feel more comfortable and less inhibited when wearing them.
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Invisalign offers significant advantages over traditional braces that may make it a better treatment option to straighten the teeth of your teen. To learn more about Invisalign, an alternative to braces for teens, call our orthodontic team today.
Request an appointment or call Precision Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry at 703-391-8800 for an appointment in our Reston office.
Invisalign® for teens refers to the clear plastic device worn to straighten teeth as an alternative to metal braces. Many people opt to wear these types of devices when they are in their teenage years, but they can be worn by adults as well. Invisalign has the added benefits of being removable and less noticeable…
Invisalign® has been around for a little more than two decades and, in that time, has corrected millions of smiles. As a result, dentists feel confident recommending Invisalign® for teens, which is precisely what it sounds like — a clear aligner system designed specifically for teens’ smiles. As a parent, you may have several concerns…
Invisalign® for Teens is a viable option for some dental patients but not all. Your child's dentist will consider certain factors, such as how crooked the child's teeth are. If your teenager is a candidate for Invisalign, you can weigh the pros and cons of aligners and traditional braces to decide which works with your…
If you and your child are interested in an alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign® may be just what you are looking for. It is just as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces but has certain qualities that make it more tolerable for teenagers.It is usually preferable to wait to delay teeth straightening treatment until…
Invisalign® for teens refers to the clear plastic device worn to straighten teeth as an alternative to metal braces. Many people opt to wear these types of devices when they are in their teenage years, but they can be worn by adults as well. Invisalign has the added benefits of being removable and less noticeable…