And Other Common Questions About Invisalign

Do you have a teenager who is anxious about the thought of getting braces? You may be wondering whether Invisalign is a suitable treatment for them. Or you may never have heard of this treatment and have lots of questions about it. What is Invisalign? Is it effective? Does it hurt?

You’re in the right place to find out the answers to all of these questions. We’re going to take a look at whether Invisalign is a good option for teenagers. We’ll also talk about some of the benefits of this type of treatment when it comes to oral health and getting the smile you’ve always wanted.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is orthodontic treatment with the purpose of correcting a number of issues. Whether your teeth are crowded, crooked, or have large gaps between them, Invisalign can resolve the problem and give you a straight smile.

This is achieved by providing you with clear aligners, which are made specifically to fit your mouth after a mold is taken. These aligners gently move your teeth incrementally and are replaced periodically to ensure that the treatment progresses.

Does Invisalign Work For Teens?

If you’re wondering, “Is Invisalign for teens?”, the short answer is yes! Clear aligners are suitable for almost all age groups! If your child still has baby teeth, Invisalign probably isn’t the best option, but other than that, they are a fantastic choice. These are a few of the benefits that teens specifically will enjoy.

They’re Invisible

As the name suggests, you can’t see Invisalign in the mouth—or if you can, you’re probably looking really hard for it! This removes one of the biggest deterrents of alignment treatment.

Traditional “train track” braces are still a viable and effective solution, but teens care more about appearance than any other age group. This is completely normal, and Invisalign can remove the fear of being judged for having braces.

They’re Removable

Having traditional braces means that if your teen wants to go out for a meal with friends, they’ll have to be careful with what they choose from the menu and will need to clean their braces immediately afterward. Popcorn at the movies is a big no-no, as the hard kernels can bend the wires that hold the brackets together. Foods that require a lot of breaking down through chewing, like steak or chicken, can also cause discomfort when wearing traditional braces.

Invisalign is completely removable, so all your teen needs to do when they head out with their friends is take the aligners out when they are eating. This means they can enjoy their meal as normal and pop the aligners back in afterward.

They’re Comfortable

With any orthodontics, you can’t avoid the feeling of a little pressure in the mouth, especially when treatment first starts. But Invisalign aligners are far more comfortable to wear compared to traditional braces. The metal brackets on braces can rub against the inside of the mouth, causing ulcers which can be very painful. There is no such danger with clear aligners thanks to the medical-grade plastic used to make them.

Are Invisalign Aligners Better Than Braces For Teens?

In some circumstances, teeth can be misaligned to a level that isn’t suitable for treatment with Invisalign. In these cases, traditional “train track” braces may provide a better prognosis. In most other cases, clear aligners would be the preferred option for many teens due to the benefits mentioned above.

Other Common Questions About Invisalign

While what we’ve discussed already may have convinced you to seek Invisalign treatment for your teen, you may still have questions about the treatment. Remember, you can always speak to your dentist about your options and what is best suited for you or your teen. But in the meantime, we’ll tackle some of the most frequently asked questions.

How Long Does Invisalign Treatment Take?

The duration of your treatment depends on a few factors:

• the severity of the issues
• your commitment to wearing the aligners when needed

With braces, you have no choice but to keep them attached because they’re fixed to your teeth. While having removable aligners is obviously very handy, it does leave the patient with the decision of whether or not to stick with the treatment.

You’re recommended to keep Invisalign aligners in for 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, brush your teeth, or clean the aligners.

Simple cases of tooth misalignment could mean you only need the aligners for up to six months, whereas more severe cases could mean wearing them for 18 months. Traditional braces go even further than this and can be fitted for over two years.

Can You Use Invisalign If You’ve Had Braces Before?

Yes! Sometimes, the teeth can start to revert back to their previous position after braces. This could be due to the teen still growing, or from inadequate use of a retainer after the fixed braces are removed.

Invisalign is a great option in these cases, as once someone has been through the experience of traditional braces, they may not be keen to commit to it again.

How Do I Take Care of the Aligners?

Traditional braces need to be cleaned meticulously to prevent bacteria buildup, which can lead to a whole host of oral issues, and Invisalign is no different.

If food somehow gets caught in between the tooth and the aligner, it can be a breeding ground for bacteria, so it’s important to clean the aligners regularly.

A good practice is to clean them when you clean your teeth. Brush them and rinse them with warm water, and you can also buy a solution to leave them in for a few minutes.

Invisalign at the Dallas Center for Cosmetic Dentistry

If you’re looking for cosmetic dentistry in Dallas, we are here to help with any other questions you might have about Invisalign, or indeed any other forms of cosmetic dentistry.

Speak to your teen about whether or not they would be interested in getting Invisalign over traditional braces. You might just brighten their day by giving them the option of an invisible aligner.