5 THINGS PARENTS NEED TO KNOW ABOUT INVISALIGN TEEN®
January 26th, 2018
Many parents know about Invisalign®, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces. But I’m often asked for more information about Invisalign® Teen.
In short, rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth. These aligners are a result of precise images I take with the sophisticated iTero Element Scanner. Your teen simply wears these aligners over his or her teeth and changes them out regularly for a new set of aligners —usually every two weeks. Your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place, little by little.
Because I get so many inquires about Invisalign® Teen, I’ve put together answers to the top 5 questions. I hope the below helps in your decision making process.
- INVISALIGN TEEN CAN BE AS EFFECTIVE AS TRADITIONAL BRACES
Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces when worn according to the customized plan I set in place. Because Invisalign Teen is capable of treating many of the common issues we see, the chances are very high that your teen will be a good candidate. Click here to set up an appointment to find out for sure.
- AN INVISIBLE SOLUTION CAN BOOST CONFIDENCE.
Research shows that parents underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about their smile—and their appearance in general. Wearing braces can often make this lack of confidence even worse. Invisalign Teen removes a potential source of anxiety, giving them more confidence during what can be a challenging time in their lives.
In fact, a recent study* found that only 22% of teens feel that wearing braces does/will boost their self-esteem; whereas, nearly half of teens report wearing Invisalign does/will boost their self-esteem (47%). Likewise, 40% of Teens reported that wearing braces would/does negatively impact their self-confidence during treatment; whereas, only 8% of Teens reported the same about wearing Invisalign aligners. (After conversations with our Adult patients, we think the findings would be similar… just in case you were considering Invisalign for yourself 😉
- THERE ARE PRACTICAL ADVANTAGES OF INVISALIGN TEEN OVER TRADITIONAL BRACES.
With Invisalign, the aligners are removable, so your teen can play sports, musical instruments and eat their favorite foods without the worry that braces will get in the way. Plus, it’s much easier to brush and floss normally to maintain proper oral hygiene.
- YES, YOUR TEEN HAS TO WEAR THE ALIGNERS MOST OF THE DAY.
Invisalign Teen is most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed approximately every two weeks. In fact, Invisalign Teen aligners have blue indicators that fade over time when used as directed so I can track compliance. That means, your teen should really only be taking them off to eat and brush.
- YOU’LL SPEND LESS TIME AT MY OFFICE THAN WITH TRADITIONAL BRACES.
Invisalign Teen often requires less time with your orthodontist than traditional braces do. There are no adjustments to make, no brackets to re-glue and no broken wires to fix. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments are usually scheduled every four to six weeks.
At Dentalign Orthodontics, in London, Ontario, we come up with a custom treatment plan for each teen (or adult) in our care. Invisalign Teen is often a great option and we love seeing all the happy smiles we’re able to create using this tool.
Please click below to schedule a complimentary consultation and find out if you’re teen is a good candidate for Invisalign Teen. We look forward to meeting you!
