Invisalign Teen FAQ
Long Beach, CA – Invisalign is a revolutionary technology that took the orthodontic world by storm when it was first introduced. And more teens are flocking to Invisalign Teen to give them the smiles they’ve always wanted. But how can you be sure it’s the right option for your teen?
Invisalign is a wonderful option for orthodontic treatment. But, before making a decision on any treatment, it’s always good to ask questions and discover what treatment your orthodontist recommends based on each individual case.
To help you and your teen discover if Invisalign Teen might be right for you, here are some questions and answers that may help.
- What exactly is Invisalign Teen?
- How does Invisalign Teen differ from other orthodontic options?
- How does the cost of Invisalign compare to standard braces?
- Is Invisalign Teen right for everyone?
- Since the aligners are removable, can my teen take them out for prom or another big occasion?
- Can my child eat and drink with the aligners in?
- How will my child’s oral hygiene routine need to be altered?
- How are the aligners cleaned?
- How long will treatment take?
- What happens if my teen loses an aligner?
Invisalign Teen consists of a series of clear aligners that are used to straighten the teeth. Using 3D imaging and models of the patient’s teeth, customized aligners are created with pre-programmed movement to achieve a final idealized result. Every two weeks, the patient switches to a new set of aligners, which progressively move the teeth to their final position. Each set of aligners are precisely calculated to achieve certain tooth movements, resulting in a beautiful and properly functioning bite at the end of treatment.
Invisalign Teen has a built-in assurance check; each aligner has blue indicators that fade over time when used as directed, so Dr. Desh can track compliance. Therefore, if you’re worried whether or not your teen is wearing them as instructed, you can rest assured that Dr. Desh will be able to monitor them accurately.
Invisalign Teen is a popular option because the aligners are clear, makinng them virtually invisible. We know the teen years can be rough as it is, but Invisalign Teen allows you to straighten your teeth without having to also have a mouth full of metal. And, Invisalign is removable, so you don’t need to make adjustments to your diet or oral hygiene routine.
Invisalign is slightly more expensive than standard braces, but the cost has become much more comparable in recent years. And, just like other orthodontic treatment, the cost can be covered, at least partially, by dental insurance.
Your orthodontist will be able to determine if your teen will be an ideal candidate for Invisalign. When the technology was first released, it worked best on only minor malocclusions. However, advances in the technology now allow more severe malocclusions to be treated using Invisalign. In some cases, auxiliaries like buttons, elastics or attachments are needed to ensure ideal tooth movement and bite correction. Speak with your orthodontist about what all Invisalign Teen treatment might involve for your teen.
Yes, the aligners are removable, but they should only be taken out when eating, brushing and flossing. To ensure treatment stays on track, the aligners must be worn a minimum of 22 hours a day. Without full-time compliance with aligner wear, ideal results cannot be achieved.
Aligners should be removed when eating, and drinking anything other than plain water. Chewing or drinking coffee and other hot beverages with the aligners in can warp the plastic, causing them to fit improperly and altering the treatment time.
The good news is, the aligners are removable so you can brush and floss normally. Your orthodontist will probably recommend brushing after every meal before putting the aligners back in. This will ensure food particles are washed away before the aligners can trap them against the teeth.
The aligners can be brushed gently with a toothbrush and toothpaste to clean them. We typically recommend brushing them at least twice a day, usually after eating. Since each set of aligners are worn for 2 weeks, it is of the utmost importance to maintain clean aligners during that time period until the new set of aligners is started.
Each individual’s case is unique, so the actual length of your teen’s treatment will depend on several factors, including the severity of the malocclusion, how quickly their teeth respond to treatment, and compliance with aligner and elastic wear. On average, Invisalign patients have treatment times similar to patients in standard braces.
Included with the cost of any Invisalign Teen treatment is the cost of six replacement aligners. Each orthodontic office may vary in their policies, however, so speak with your orthodontist about what how their office handles lost or damaged aligners.
If you are interested in learning if Invisalign Teen is right for your teen, call HD Orthodontics today for a free consultation at 562-283-6590.