Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen® transforms your child’s smile so they will never have to feel self-conscious about smiling in photographs or around people ever again. It’s one of the most popular methods of straightening teeth around the world, offering benefits and advantages over traditional metal braces that allow you to maintain a normal lifestyle.
Are you still struggling to decide if Invisalign Teen® is right for you? Read on to learn more!
What is Invisalign Teen®?
Invisalign Teen® is a series of clear removable aligners trays that gradually shift teeth over time to straighten them. You wear the aligners for 22 hours every day and switch to a new set every two weeks to begin a new stage of shifting.
The aligners are made of multiple layers of medical-grade plastics that are smooth with rounded edges to fit comfortably inside your mouth over your teeth. You will feel pressure and some initial discomfort as the aligners work to shift your teeth into alignment. They are also virtually invisible so even your friends may not notice you are wearing them.
Problems Invisalign Teen® fixes include overcrowding, crookedness, spaces between teeth, overbite, underbite, and crossbite.
How Does Invisalign Teen® Work?
Invisalign Teen® works by putting pressure on your teeth to move them gradually over the course of treatment. You wear the aligners for 22 hours a day and switch to a new set every two weeks.
Beginning treatment requires a consultation with your orthodontist to determine if you are a good candidate for Invisalign Teen®. X-rays or an iTero scan of your teeth will be taken and an impression made in order to create aligners just for your teeth.
Go on living your life as normal, but be sure to remove your aligners and store them properly before eating or playing sports. Brush and floss your teeth after every meal before resuming wearing your aligners. And wear a mouthguard during sports activities to protect your teeth.
Schedule follow-up appointments with your orthodontist every two or three months so they can evaluate your progress and make changes to your treatment if necessary.
How Long Does Invisalign Teen® Take?
Invisalign Teen® takes 12 to 18 months to complete depending on the severity of your dental problems. It could take longer if you fail to consistently wear your aligners for 22 hours every day or fail to switch to the new set every two weeks. You should start to see results after a few weeks of wearing your aligners.
How Much Does Invisalign Teen® Cost?
Invisalign Teen® generally costs between $3,000 to $8,000 depending on what kind of treatment you need. The good news is that dental insurance at least covers part of the cost, and orthodontists offer low payment plans and work with just about any budget to make sure you get the treatment you need.
So, be sure to contact your insurance provider and ask about coverage. It could save you thousands of dollars in out-of-pocket costs. Don’t let the price tag scare you away from fixing your teeth. The results are well worth it.
Invisalign Teen® vs. Traditional Braces
The most exciting feature of Invisalign Teen® is that you won’t have to wear traditional metal braces. However, there are several similarities and differences between the two treatments you should consider before making a decision.
- Traditional braces are not removable like Invisalign Teen®. Brackets are bonded to each tooth using an adhesive and wires and elastic bands anchor the brackets. The orthodontist tightens the wire from time to time to maintain pressure on your teeth.
- There are dietary restrictions with braces, while you can eat whatever you want during treatment with Invisalign Teen®.
- Braces are more difficult to clean because you cannot remove them. Invisalign Teen® is removable for easy cleaning.
- There are fewer follow-up appointments with Invisalign Teen® than there are with braces.
- Both treatments take about the same amount of time to complete. However, Accelendent® is a device that can speed up both treatments by stimulating your teeth to shift faster in just 20 minutes of use every day.
- Both treatments also cost about the same.
- Braces are visible to others while Invisalign Teen® aligners are clear and virtually invisible.
- You might forget to wear your aligners, which could cause setbacks in treatment, but you never have to remember to wear braces because they are not removable.
Which Treatment Is Best For Me?
Only you and your orthodontist can decide which treatment is best for you. Weigh the pros and cons carefully. If you don’t think you are responsible enough to wear your aligners every day for the recommended 22 hours, perhaps you would be better off with braces.
If you choose Invisalign Teen® anyway and it’s not working for you, you can easily make the switch to braces.
Are there differences between Invisalign Teen® and regular Invisalign®?
Yes, but the differences are minor. The biggest difference is that Invisalign Teen® features a blue dot that fades away the more you wear them. This allows parents to make sure you are wearing them consistently. A visible blue dot warrants a reminder to your teen to wear their aligners.
The other difference is that Invisalign Teen® comes with extra aligners.
5 Ways to Help You Chat with Your Parents About Invisalign Teen®
- There is already enough pressure on my image at school. Invisalign® is virtually invisible, so I can straighten my teeth discretely!
- Since the system is removable, I can play sports and/or play my musical instrument just as I do now, without worrying about damaging my braces and the extra money that would cost you.
- This will make me more responsible because I have to remember to wear the aligners to achieve results. And the aligners have blue indicators that fade with wear to remind me.
- Even if I was to lose my aligners, Invisalign Teen® provides six replacement aligners free, and you know I don’t lose things that much.
- It’s actually the same price as braces, and it’s possible that up to half the cost could already be covered by our insurance.
Contact Orthodontics Excellence Today!
Orthodontics Excellence uses state-of-the-art technology and the most up-to-date techniques to provide our patients with the best care possible. If you or your teen need Invisalign® or braces treatment, call our New Castle office at 425-747-4944 today! You can also visit our website to schedule an appointment or to get more information.
