Teenagers these days have more than enough to worry about and keep track of without having to feel stressed out by their smile, too. Crooked teeth have the potential to keep them tight-lipped, but the thought of a mouth full of metal braces might be even more embarrassing to contemplate. Modern orthodontics have come a long way over the years, becoming less noticeable and more comfortable, but the stereotype has an enduring image of fussy wires and bulky brackets.
Fortunately, Invisalign Teen® is an excellent alternative treatment option for teens, and Mateer Orthodontics is proud to provide this for our patients! Let’s take a look at all the ways it can positively impact your teen’s smile and their life.
Invisalign® is Virtually Invisible
We can’t deny that image is important, especially in the teen years. Feeling like they fit in with their peers is a big part of a student’s self-esteem, and more traditional braces can make them stand out in ways they may not want to. Invisalign aligners are made of a smooth, clear plastic that is virtually impossible to see, and most people won’t even notice them. In fact, when Invisalign® conducted a Teen Confidence survey recently, they found that teens wearing Invisalign® were much less likely to be teased than those wearing traditional metal braces. That’s a pretty significant benefit!
Boost self-confidence
In the same Teen Confidence survey, results showed that teens wearing Invisalign® aligners were twice as likely to experience a boost in self-esteem while in treatment than teens wearing metal braces. Let’s face it, middle school and high school happen smack dab in the midst of hormonal craziness, and it doesn’t take much to be singled out. Clear aligners can help teens feel more confident in their appearance, allowing them to focus on the things that matter.
No food restrictions
Anyone who’s ever worn traditional braces can tell you that one of the hardest things to get used to is the dietary restrictions. Hard stuff, chewy stuff, crunchy stuff – there’s quite a list of items to steer clear of. Not only is it hard to part with their favorite snacks and treats, but so much socializing revolves around food that it can be extra awkward having to avoid what everybody else is enjoying around you.
With Invisalign Teen®, teens remove their aligner every time they eat or drink, which means there are no restrictions at all on what they can eat or drink!
In and Out
Although they’ve improved a great deal over the years, metal braces still have the capacity to hold you back from certain activities, or at least the potential to make it difficult to enjoy them thoroughly. Brackets and wires can make it hard to hit the right note when you’re playing an instrument, and it can be difficult to concentrate on scoring the game-winning goal if you’re afraid of what a ball to the face could do to your braces. That’s why we love recommending Invisalign Teen® to our athletic and musically inclined teen patients!
Because the aligners are removable, your teen can easily pop them out before an important concert or the big game. And since they’re made of smooth plastic, they don’t need to worry about any wires irritating the soft tissues of the mouth whether they’re making music or making magic on the field. Oh, and as an added bonus: athletes can comfortably wear their standard mouthguards since Invisalign is fully removable.
Keeping it clean
Brushing and flossing regularly should be a part of everyone’s dental hygiene routine, but it’s especially important for those undergoing orthodontic treatment. Traditional braces can make it a little more difficult since there are so many wires, brackets, and bands to navigate around and in between. But with Invisalign Teen®, teens will remove their aligner before brushing, making it easier to clean out all the nooks and crannies of the mouth successfully. And cleaning the aligner itself is a cinch, using only water and a soft-bristled toothbrush.
Reliability
So, now you know that Invisalign Teen® has many benefits and very few restrictions, but you may be worried about how reliable your teen would be with a removable aligner. The system will only work if worn as directed, which is between 20-22 hours a day over the entire course of treatment. Can you trust your teen to maintain those kinds of hours?
The good news is that orthodontists consistently see that teens are at least as reliable as adults when it comes to wearing their Invisalign® aligner. They tend to average about 21 hours per day, which is right on target. But just in case you’re still skeptical, there are blue indicator dots to help you, your teen, and your orthodontist monitors their compliance.
How does Invisalign® work?
It’s a straightforward process! Once we fit your teen for their Invisalign® aligner, they’ll wear each one for approximately 1-2 weeks, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. As we replace each aligner with the next in the series, your teen’s teeth will shift week by week until they have straightened to the final desired position.
Plan to visit our practice about once every 6-8 weeks to ensure your teen’s treatment is progressing as planned. Total treatment time typically lasts anywhere from 9 to 15 months, and the number of clear aligners worn during this period is between 18 and 30, but treatment time and aligners used will always vary from case to case.
Choosing Mateer Orthodontics as your Invisalign® Teen provider
It’s important to choose an experienced orthodontist to start and oversee your teen’s treatment. The training and expertise our team has, for instance, will help to ensure the most favorable outcome possible! Each smile that we create here at Mateer Orthodontics starts with a free orthodontic evaluation. This complimentary consultation will give you the chance to meet our team, learn more about orthodontics, and find out what treatment options will best meet your teen’s needs.
Our goal is to make you and your family feel comfortable with our team and to make sure we answer all of your questions and concerns.
At Mateer Orthodontics we strive to not only provide the best possible orthodontic treatment to our patients but also to build a relationship with you and your teen that will put you both at ease! If you’re in the Commack or surrounding area and have wondered if your child could benefit from an orthodontic treatment like Invisalign® Teen, get in touch today to schedule their free initial evaluation.
We’re looking forward to helping your teen discover their best, most beautiful smile!