Teens today have a greater online presence than any generation before. Over 70% have more than one social media account, and of the more than a million selfies posted daily, a large percentage are uploaded by teens. With this kind of constant sharing, there’s more pressure than ever to look good. In spite of posting selfies often, many teens admit they are insecure about their appearance. Spending so much time in a social media spotlight can be intimidating, especially if your smile is less than perfect. Although most teens would opt for a more attractive smile if given the chance, they may be resistant to the idea of traditional metal braces.
Accepting (and embracing!) one’s appearance and inner beauty is an important part of growing up. However, if an option exists that can improve both appearance and oral health without being immediately apparent, why not explore it? Here at Brodsky Orthodontics, we want teen patients to be excited about starting a journey towards straighter teeth, not dread it! Invisalign Teen is one way to achieve that.
The Invisalign Teen system provides a nearly invisible way to straighten teeth without the restrictions that can accompany metal braces. Instead of relying on the traditional wires and brackets, the Invisalign system uses a series of clear, custom-made, removable aligners. Teens wear these aligners over their teeth, changing them out every week for the next in the system. Gradually, the teeth shift into their new positions, leaving behind a straight and confident smile to share with the world. Keep reading to learn why Invisalign Teen is such a great choice for today’s teen patients!
Invisalign works as well as traditional braces
When teens are vigilant about wearing their aligners the recommended 20-22 hours a day, Invisalign Teen is just as effective as traditional metal braces for most common dental issues. Invisalign is most successful treating mild to moderate cases of underbite, overbite, overcrowding and gaps between teeth, and is designed for patients who have lost all their baby teeth, and have second molars at least partially erupted.
Invisalign offers flexibility
Traditional braces can take some getting used to, and the steepest learning curve is the food restrictions. Patients need to avoid anything sticky, chewy, hard, or crunchy, which are exactly the type of foods teenage socializing often revolves around. Invisalign aligners are removed at mealtimes, so teens are still able to eat just about anything as long as an excellent oral hygiene routine is maintained. However, even with removable orthodontic appliances like Invisalign aligners, patients will need to be vigilant about brushing and flossing after eating food so bacteria won’t be trapped against the teeth.
Self-confidence
Parents can sometimes underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about crooked teeth or other dental issues that affect a smile. Traditional metal braces are an excellent long-term solution for malocclusions, but have the potential to make insecurities even worse in the short-term. Because Invisalign Teen aligners are almost invisible, no one has to know a teen is wearing them. This removes what can be a very real source of stress from them, making it easier to focus on the things that really matter.
Less time in the office, more time for you
Families today are busier than ever before with work, school, sports, and other extracurricular activities. Compared to traditional braces, patients wearing Invisalign Teen generally tend to require less frequent visits for maintenance, since there aren’t any adjustments to make, or broken wires and brackets that will need fixing. After the initial appointment, follow-up appointments will be scheduled for every ten to twelve weeks.
Beyond braces
A straighter smile and an increase in self-esteem are beautiful things! But beyond the cosmetic, there are many other benefits to braces. A badly aligned bite, or crowded teeth, can lead to a whole host of problems such as headaches, jaw pain, teeth grinding, gum disease, or general inflammation.
Invisalign Teen orthodontic treatment will result in a straighter, more aligned smile as well as an optimized bite pattern. This not only makes the teeth more attractive, it also makes it easier for teens to clean more efficiently, which keeps the teeth and jaws functioning in the most desirable way.
Designed specifically with teens in mind
Although the treatment benefits and underlying technology of both Invisalign and Invisalign Teen are the same, Invisalign Teen was developed with leading orthodontists in order to meet the unique needs of teenage patients. There are features included with the Invisalign Teen system that address the clinical needs common to teens, such as:
Compliance indicators
Patient compliance is a critical component to success with Invisalign, and the aligners should be worn 20-22 hours per day for treatment to be effective. Compliance indicators will fade from blue to clear as the aligner is worn which gives the teen, parents, and orthodontist a visual approximation of wear.
Eruption tabs
This feature accommodates the growth of the second molars in young adults, helping to keep space open for unerupted teeth and making it possible to treat a wider range of conditions with Invisalign.
Replacement aligners
Life happens, and sometimes teen patients will lose or break an aligner. No need for worry about replacing it! Invisalign Teen provides six extra aligners, so teens are covered in case they go missing or get broken.
Invisalign Teen is a clear winner with Brodsky Orthodontics
As one of the first offices in the US to use Invisalign, our doctors have treated over 1,800 patients and won three major awards from Invisalign. We have a high-tech office with a highly qualified team who are extremely knowledgeable about every step of the Invisalign Teen treatment process.
If you’re in the Lakewood or the surrounding area, and are interested in learning more about what Invisalign has to offer your teen, get in touch with us today to schedule a complimentary consultation. Brodsky Ortho is ready to get your teen started on the path to a perfect smile!