Invisalign® Teen is an increasingly popular alternative to traditional metal braces. In many cases, it is just as effective as conventional braces in straightening the teeth and correcting the bite. Invisalign Teen also has the added benefit of being less visually obtrusive than metal braces, making them a more aesthetically pleasing option.
Invisalign Teen is available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. We can give your teenager a good reason to smile. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to schedule an appointment or learn more about our services.
Teens and Invisalign
Adolescence is an emotionally fraught time. During this period of life, teens are particularly concerned with their appearance. Many dread the prospect of traditional braces and the "metal mouth" that comes with them. Fortunately, Invisalign Teen offers a more pleasant alternative.
Invisalign Teen is so popular, in fact, that millions of patients have successfully undergone treatment. These clear aligners are virtually invisible, allowing for a seamless look all throughout treatment. Compared to traditional braces, they also make it easier to maintain one's oral hygiene.
“Invisalign Teen is so popular, in fact, that millions of patients have successfully undergone treatment.”
Wear time with Invisalign Teen
Invisalign will only work if the wearer follows through on treatment. In other words, the aligners must be placed on the teeth for the appropriate amount of time every day. For best results, patients should keep their aligners on for 20 to 22 hours per day. They should be removed only for brushing, drinking, eating, and flossing.
The overall treatment time varies on multiple factors, including the complexity of the patient's case and how often the patient wears their aligners. Oak Tree Dental can give each teen (and their parents) the best idea on what to expect. For most people, however, the treatment time lasts anywhere from 12 to 18 months.
“… the aligners must be placed on the teeth for the appropriate amount of time every day.”
Time savings with Invisalign Teen
One of the many advantages of Invisalign Teen is that it entails fewer trips to the orthodontist's office. While traditional braces typically require monthly or bi-monthly appointments to tighten wires and replace elastics, Invisalign Teen patients can switch out their aligner sets at home.
The lack of wires and brackets also lessens the need for any emergency visits. The typical Invisalign Teen patient only needs to schedule visits every six to eight weeks to ensure progress.
“One of the many advantages of Invisalign Teen is that it entails fewer trips to the orthodontist’s office.”
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: 7 Things Parents Need to Know About Invisalign Teen in Poway, CA
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Google: Invisalign is fully removable
Invisalign is designed to be removable. Many teens are delighted to learn they can take out their aligners for school formals, sports, and pictures.
School formals
Clunky braces or orthodontic appliances can be embarrassing during school events. With Invisalign, teens can remove their clear aligners for a few hours. Keep in mind that the aligners are discreet. Some patients discover that they do not mind wearing their aligners to special events.
Sports
Metal braces can cause mouth lacerations. If your teen gets hit while playing sports, they might experience bleeding or oral teas. Their braces may become damaged, too. Playing sports while wearing braces can be risky and may lead to complex repairs. With Invisalign, your child can remove their aligners before physical activities. Taking out the aligners helps prevent injury and damage to orthodontic appliances.
Pictures
Many teens prize the ability to remove their aligners while in front of a camera. With traditional braces, teens may feel too embarrassed to smile for pictures. With removable clear aligners, teens have the confidence to enjoy photos and videos.
While the aligners are removable, frequent use helps speed up treatment and ensures results. The more often your teen wears their aligners, the better. Patients should aim to wear their aligners 20-22 hours per day. Most dental providers recommend removing aligners only for meals, oral hygiene, and occasional special events.
“With removable clear aligners, teens have the confidence to enjoy photos and videos.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. Can I take out my aligners for special events?
Q. How do teens feel about Invisalign as compared to traditional braces?
Q. How long will my teen need to wear Invisalign?
Q. How does Invisalign Teen save time?
Q. How should my teen care for their Invisalign aligners?
People also ask
Q. What age groups use Invisalign?
Q. Are braces or Invisalign aligners more effective?
Q. What are some examples of purely cosmetic procedures?
Q. What is the best age to consider Invisalign Teen?
Caring for Invisalign Teen
In addition to wearing their aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day, patients should also practice good oral hygiene. This entails cleaning the aligners in the evening and regularly rinsing thoroughly.
Patients should also brush their teeth before placing the aligners back on. To prevent losing the aligners, patients should store the aligners in their case whenever they remove the appliances from the mouth. Following these directions will help bring forth the best possible results.
“To prevent losing the aligners, patients should store the aligners in their case whenever they are removed from the mouth.”
Frequently asked questions
Invisalign Teen comes with a blue-dot compliance indicator to ensure that patients are wearing their aligners for a long enough period of time. The dots do not affect treatment; rather, they allow the orthodontist to know if the patient has been wearing their aligners adequately. As the aligners are worn, the blue dots should begin to fade away. If the blue dots are still visible, the patient has failed to wear their aligners for an adequate period.
Invisalign Teen comes with a blue-dot compliance indicator to ensure that patients are wearing their aligners for a long enough period of time. The dots do not affect treatment; rather, they allow the orthodontist to know if the patient has been wearing their aligners adequately. As the aligners are worn, the blue dots should begin to fade away. If the blue dots are still visible, the patient has failed to wear their aligners for an adequate period.
We understand that accidents happen. Call us immediately, so we can help get your child a new set of aligners. In the meantime, depending on your child's specific case, we may instruct them to wear the previous set of aligners or advance to the next set.
No. Since Invisalign aligners are totally removable, they do not impose any dietary restrictions whatsoever. However, patients should always remember to take off their aligners when eating and brush their teeth before putting their aligners back on.
Invisalign Teen is best suited for mild to moderate malocclusions, and patients with more severe orthodontic problems may be better suited to traditional braces. Oak Tree Dental can determine what is best for your child in a one-on-one consultation.
Treatment with Invisalign Teen is typically less painful than treatment with traditional braces. While there may be some discomfort during the adjustment periods, this typically subsides rather quickly.
Invisalign® terminology
With Invisalign® treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.
ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
An iTero Element® scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track® material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment and applies a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Call us today
Invisalign can produce a brighter, straighter smile. If you're considering orthodontic care for your teen, schedule an Invisalign consultation. Clear removable aligners are an appealing alternative to braces, especially for image-conscious teens. Invisalign boasts a 96% satisfaction rate. The majority of Invisalign patients are satisfied with their results and would recommend Invisalign to a friend.
Let Oak Tree Dental in Poway determine if your teen is a candidate for Invisalign. Call us at 858-748-2101 to schedule an appointment.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.