Invisalign® orthodontic treatment has several advantages over traditional braces, especially for people, including teenagers, who may be self-conscious about their appearance. Invisalign® for teens involves the use of clear, medical-grade plastic aligners that are virtually invisible, and yet effective for treating many orthodontic problems. The aligners are suitable for the upper and lower teeth.
Removable aligners are worn over the teeth like small mouth guards, and they gradually shift the teeth into the correct position. Each aligner is changed every two weeks until the teeth are corrected. When worn according to the recommendations of our experienced orthodontist, Invisalign® for teens can be as effective for most common orthodontic problems as traditional metal braces. Some problems Invisalign® treats include:
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Gaps between the teeth
• Overcrowding
There are also practical advantages of Invisalign® over traditional metal braces, starting with food. Since the aligners are removable, your teenager can eat whatever he or she wants without worrying about breaking a bracket or wire. Another advantage is that students can continue to play musical instruments and sports without the braces getting in the way. Finally, teenagers can brush and floss as usual without detailed, time-consuming instructions for cleaning teeth with braces.
Teenagers who already have permanent teeth or who have some in the process of erupting may be eligible for Invisalign®. During a consultation with our orthodontist in Dallas, your teenager’s orthodontic problems may be diagnosed and a customized Invisalign® program recommended. The actual length of treatment may be determined by our orthodontist after the examination.
In order the get the expected results in the shortest length of time, the aligners must be worn about 22 hours per day. Invisalign® has a tiny blue indicator in the aligner that fades over time. Our orthodontist uses this to track how much the aligner has been worn.
Before selecting braces for your teenager, we recommend you consider the advantages of Invisalign® for teens. As long as teenagers comply with the program, they will get the maximum benefit from orthodontic treatment and have a beautiful smile for the rest of their lives.
We invite you to schedule a consultation at Ragan Orthodontics in Dallas to learn more about Invisalign® and how it may work for your teen. Contact us today to book an appointment!