Orthodontics treatments offer an excellent solution for your teens unhappy about their crooked and misaligned teeth. At Alencar Family Dentistry, we frequently answer questions about Invisalign Teen® as an alternative to braces for teens. We can let you know whether Invisalign is the right choice for your child and how to get started.
Invisalign treatment straightens teeth by making use of a series of transparent, plastic aligners. Then, steady pressure is applied on the teeth to slowly shift them from their present crooked position to a desired location in the mouth. The treatment is relatively painless and keeps aesthetics in mind, which is very important for a growing teen.Â
Important Features you should know about Invisalign before deciding on the treatment.Â
One of the advantages of Invisalign Teen as an alternative to braces for teens is that the clear plastic aligners are very convenient to use. The clear aligners are removable, you can take them out when necessary since it is not fixed permanently in place. As long as teenagers brush their teeth after each meal, they can eat all their favorite foods without any restrictions. The same is true when it comes to brushing their teeth.Â
Better oral hygiene can be maintained, as the teeth are easier to clean when wearing Invisalign. And consequently, the chances of developing stains or even cavities are decreased. In traditional braces, the food can get stuck all along with the brackets and underneath the wires. These areas can become a hotbed for bacteria and plaque build-up that can eat away at the teeth and lead to decay. To avert this, special brushes need to be used daily so that the brackets stay relatively clean. But with Invisalign, its aligners can be removed before eating, and as a result, there is no need to worry about food particles getting stuck or developing cavities.Â
There is a stigma attached to wearing braces. When teens hear that they will have to wear braces, many feel insecure about standing out from their peers. They dislike the thought of going to school with a metal mouth. At Alencar Family Dentistry, we encourage our parents to allow their teens to decide on their braces treatment. Braces are a long-term commitment, and your teens should feel comfortable while wearing them. Hence we recommend using Invisalign Teen to provide a nearly invisible solution for teens concerned with their aesthetics. The discreteness while wearing Invisalign Teen allows them to smile without hiding their teeth.Â
 In general, most teens need to wear their aligners for around eighteen months. The treatment duration of Invisalign will depend on the severity of the teeth’ misalignment. A teen will be required to wear the aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. If they failed to do so, the treatment time could get extended.Â
Regardless of whether your teen wears metal braces or aligners, there will be some soreness due to an adjustment or switching to a new aligner. A small amount of soreness can be expected during an adjustment. The metal brackets and wires can rub up against the cheeks and inside of the mouth, causing irritation. But this is not the case with Invisalign. Since the aligners are made of clear plastic, they are smooth and are unlikely to cut your teen’s mouth during treatment.
Dr. Jayme Alencar Oliveira at Alencar Family Dentistry will help your teen to get a beautiful smile. Call us today at (757) 546-0301 to schedule your dental consultation and know more about Invisalign
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