If your child needs braces, your orthodontist may recommend Invisalign® for teens instead. In the late 1990s, Invisalign was a groundbreaking orthodontic treatment that utilized clear aligners to straighten teeth rather than the traditional wires and brackets. Then, it was only available to adults. Today, however, the system has come a long way, and many orthodontic professionals feel confident that it can work wonders on teens’ smiles as well. In fact, not only does Invisalign work for teens but it also offers several other benefits that traditional braces cannot and never will be able to provide.
Traditional wire-and-bracket braces have been around for centuries, whereas Invisalign is not even 30 years old. For this reason, many parents trust braces more than they do clear aligners. Yet, aligners are not only as effective as braces but they also offer several advantages that teens cannot realize with the wire and bracket system. Below are just a few of them.
One of the main benefits of Invisalign for teens is that it allows teens to straighten their smiles with confidence. Though young children consider braces to be fun and even cool, teens often retreat when they have a mouth full of metal. The noticeable wires and colorful bands make many want to hide their smiles and speak as little as possible when socializing with friends. With Invisalign, though, teens do not experience this issue. Because the aligners are clear and virtually invisible, teens can feel confident smiling, laughing, and talking in public for the duration of their treatment.
Aside from their near-invisibility, one of the greatest benefits of Invisalign aligners is that teens can remove them when they brush their teeth at night or eat throughout the day. Not only does this contribute to their overall comfort throughout treatment but it also boosts oral hygiene, as they are not forced to floss or brush around wires.
One of the biggest pitfalls of traditional braces, aside from how they look, is the lack of comfort. The wires on braces rub up against the insides of patients’ cheeks and lips, creating sore spots. It is not also uncommon for the wires to break. When this happens, the sharp end can poke the cheeks or lips or even cut up the gums. Invisalign does not cause this type of irritation. In fact, the aligners cause little to no irritation at all.
While Invisalign requires patients to visit the orthodontist every four to six weeks so that they can get fitted for the next set of aligners, patients rarely ever have to schedule emergency appointments. Braces patients, however, often find themselves in and out of the orthodontist for broken wires, snapped bands, and cracked brackets.
Many people assume that Invisalign is only effective on mildly crooked smiles. This is simply not true. Invisalign is just as effective at correcting crooked smiles and bad bites as braces. Not only that, but the treatment time is often shorter than with traditional braces.
Invisalign for teens is an effective and favorable alternative to braces for young people. If your teen requires orthodontic treatment, talk to your dentist about the possibility of Invisalign.
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