Invisalign® for Teens Many teens can find themselves wanting to get braces or clear aligners to correct their misaligned teeth. This can be due to the fact that many of their friends wear them, and they want to imitate them. It is also at this stage that they start discovering their identity and can worry about their appearance. You might have been wondering whether your teen is at the correct age for correcting their teeth or not. Fortunately, you are not alone in your questions; our team here at are more than happy to take you through the whole process and give answers to your questions and concerns.Invisalign are are transparent tray aligners. Manufacturers of this dental technology use a special blend of plastic to make Invisalign. A mold is taken from a patient’s mouth to match their teeth and mouth shape and is used to fabricate the Invisalign. The aligners have certain points on which pressure can be applied. By applying pressure in those areas, a person’s teeth slowly align. To get an Invisalign, you first need to book an appointment with our experts at Raptou Family Dental. Our dentists will check your overall dental health. Next, we will take teeth impressions as Invisalign is custom made. You and your teenager can visit our office anytime if you’re interested in the procedure and want to get it done. How Invisalign WorksInvisalign clear aligners straighten teeth by applying a steady and gentle pressure on the teeth, moving them into the correct position over time. In the end, the teeth will shift to the proper position, correcting your teen’s misaligned teeth. Invisalign aligner trays are created with the desired straightening you and your teen have in mind. Aligner trays will be worn for two weeks, then your teen will move on to the next aligner tray. Who is the Perfect Candidate?Teenagers are the perfect candidates for Invisalign, as this is the best stage in their lives for dental alignment treatment. Since the jawbone is still growing at this age, it is easier to shift teeth, improve the smile, and correct the bite. There are several reasons why teens should wear Invisalign, such as when their permanent teeth start growing into the wrong position or protrude. Their teeth can grow in multiple spots, making your teen’s teeth crooked. Sometimes jaw and tooth problems can be caused by injury, early or late loss of baby teeth, and certain behaviors, like sucking their thumbs. Who Should Not Get InvisalignYour teenager’s mouth should be healthy before you start orthodontic treatment. Your teen may not be a candidate for this treatment if he or she has advanced gum disease, since it may affect the healing process. Invisalign is beneficial for treating misaligned teeth, overcrowded teeth, and can treat overbites and underbites. However, if your teen’s teeth are severely misaligned, they may benefit more from traditional metal braces with brackets and wires. Benefits of Invisalign for TeensInvisalign corrects your teen’s crooked, crowded, or maligned teeth. Invisalign also helps to solve issues related to biting food and snoring while asleep. Additionally, braces can help improve their self-esteem, as they can smile more confidently with well-aligned teeth. Furthermore, they improve dental hygiene and make teeth look and work better. Invisalign can help prevent tooth decay, as they enable easy cleaning of the teeth. They can also prevent tooth cavities and gum disease since the teeth can be cleaned easily once the misaligned teeth shift to the correct position, and because the aligners are removed while eating and brushing. Maintaining InvisalignWe advise our patients to wear their aligners for the amount of time prescribed by our experts. Maintaining good oral health is the key, which can be done by daily brushing and flossing. Furthermore, by not taking a lot of breaks in wearing the retainers, this allows the teeth to settle into their new positions easily. Advantages of InvisalignUnlike braces, Invisalign is clear, so when you smile, they are not that obvious. Secondly, they are easy to remove when you are eating or brushing your teeth. Invisalign takes less time than normal braces for the whole treatment process. Even better, you and your teen won’t have to visit our clinic that often. Lastly, teeth can gradually move into their new places, unlike traditional braces, which can cause some discomfort. Cleaning or Rinsing InvisalignRinsing the Invisalign aligner is not the same as cleaning it. The former removes some solid material from it. However, proper cleaning is needed to remove unwanted bacteria. The first step to cleaning an Invisalign is rinsing with water at the end of the day. Your teenager will need a soft-bristled toothbrush, and will need to use it gently. Running water can be used to remove debris or any food particles that could have accumulated. Lastly, the aligner must be placed in a protective case when not in use. Cleansers that are too harsh should be avoided. Some examples of harsh cleansers are denture cleaners, mouthwashes with alcohol, scented soaps, and toothpaste. Ways to Care for InvisalignWe advise our patients to remove their aligners when eating. Otherwise, food particles can stick and collect in the aligners. This can damage them and make them no longer fit for use. Furthermore, we advise our patients not to drink anything other than water when the Invisalign is in their mouth as there is a chance of staining them. Also, we recommend cold or lukewarm water for cleaning the trays of the Invisalign. Hot water can harm and misshapen them quite quickly. It is recommended that our patients store their aligners in airtight containers when not using them. This way, the likelihood of losing or having bacteria on them is reduced. Contact Us Today!Invisalign is recommended as one of the many options when patients, especially teenagers, request having their teeth aligned. However, they require as much care as braces do. To learn more about Invisalign and how to get them, please contact us at (614) 427-0449, or you can walk-in to our office. Our dentists at Raptou Family Dental will do their best to accommodate you. |
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