Is Invisalign Teen Right for My Child Los Angeles, CA
For many teens, the thought of wearing metal braces comes filled with dread. The visibility of wearing braces can be particularly anxiety-producing for teens in the high-stress environment of middle and high school.
No one wants to look back on their photos of homecoming or events with friends and see an embarrassed, tight-lipped smile or a layer of metal over their teeth. Fortunately, traditional metal braces no longer remain the only option for teenagers. Invisalign® Teen offers a custom solution that eliminates the negative feelings and ideas often associated with metal braces while still producing the desired result: straight, aligned teeth.
Invisalign Teen is available at Vatan Dental Group in Los Angeles and the surrounding area. Our staff can help you make the right decision for your child's dental needs. Call us at (310) 906-1300 to schedule a consultation.
Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen offers a series of clear, plastic aligner trays custom made to fit over the teeth. They work to gently move teeth to better positions in the same way as traditional braces, creating a long-lasting, healthy smile.
Invisalign Teen trays are removable, allowing for easier brushing and flossing to maintain healthy teeth and gums. As such, many teens prefer them over traditional metal braces. Invisalign Teen remains particularly popular among teens involved in sports, musical instruments, and other activities. By keeping the mouth free of metal parts associated with traditional braces, Invisalign Teen reduces the risk of oral injury.
However, teens must remember to put their Invisalign trays in a safe place upon removal to prevent them from being misplaced or accidentally discarded. In the event they do misplace their trays, we can work to provide replacement aligners.
Since Invisalign Teen comes completely clear, it allows patients to feel confident in their smiles while undergoing treatment. In most cases, only the patient wearing the aligners can tell them apart, making them more cosmetically appealing than traditional metal braces.
“Invisalign Teen offers a series of clear, plastic aligner trays custom made to fit over the teeth.”
When Invisalign Teen Is Not An Option
While Invisalign Teen is a great option for many patients, there are some situations when it is not the right choice. Invisalign can effectively treat orthodontic issues, such as mild gaps, crooked teeth, overbites, and underbites. However, compared to traditional braces, Invisalign has more limitations as it does not have the same force to move teeth.
According to a 2019 study in the Korean Journal of Orthodontics, vertical teeth movement and derotation are difficult to achieve with aligners. Other orthodontic conditions that may not benefit from Invisalign treatment include large gaps, severe overbites, or teeth with prior dental work or extractions. Our team can determine whether a patient is a good candidate for Invisalign Teen treatment.
“Other orthodontic conditions that may not benefit from Invisalign treatment include large gaps, severe overbites, or teeth with prior dental work or extractions.”
Responsibility is Key
The Invisalign system requires patients to wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours each day to be effective. This means that responsibility is a key component of producing optimal treatment results. Invisalign Teen is good for children who can adhere to instructions and care for their aligners properly.
Treatment adherence includes wearing aligners at all times except when brushing teeth or eating, cleaning aligners thoroughly, and keeping them safe in a protective case when not in use. Children must be mature enough to understand the importance of maintaining and wearing their aligners. If a child is not responsible enough to do these things, then traditional braces may be necessary instead.
“Children must be mature enough to understand the importance of maintaining and wearing their aligners.”
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Pain Tolerance Is A Factor
Parents should also consider their child's pain tolerance when seeking orthodontic treatment. For children with low pain tolerance, Invisalign can be uncomfortable at times. While the edges of the aligners are not sharp, they can irritate gums as children get used to wearing them.
Children usually adjust to their aligners quickly and will not experience peripheral pain for long. Depending on the cause of the pain, patients may benefit from over-the-counter pain medications. Invisalign is often less painful than traditional braces since its smooth, plastic material moves teeth more gently and does not rub uncomfortably against the inside of the mouth like metal brackets and wires often do.
“Invisalign is often less painful than traditional braces since its smooth, plastic material moves teeth more gently and does not rub uncomfortably against the inside of the mouth like metal brackets and wires often do.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What is the best age to use Invisalign Teen?
Q. When is Invisalign Teen not an option for a patient?
Q. Why is it important for children to be responsible enough to have Invisalign?
Q. Is pain tolerance a factor when considering Invisalign Teen?
People Also Ask
Q. What are the differences between Invisalign and traditional braces?
Q. How long will I have to wear Invisalign aligners?
Q. How long will it take to see results?
Q. Are braces or Invisalign aligners more effective?
Q. How should you choose the right treatment and cosmetic dentist?
Best Age to Use Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen is only suitable for children who already have all of their permanent teeth. For most teenagers, this happens by age 13. With a thorough examination, we can determine whether Invisalign Teen is the right treatment option for each of our patients — and, if it is, when to begin.
“Invisalign Teen is only suitable for children who already have all of their permanent teeth.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often will my child have appointments during Invisalign Teen treatment?
A. After receiving Invisalign Teen, children will need to have check-up appointments about every four to six weeks. Appointments for Invisalign are less frequent than for traditional braces. We will check the patient's teeth to ensure that the treatment is progressing correctly.
Q. Will Invisalign aligners affect my child's speech?
A. Once a child gets Invisalign aligners for the first time, it may take some time for their mouths to adjust. This is normal for any orthodontic appliance. Children may have a slight lisp at first, but it should disappear quickly.
Q. What happens if my child forgets to wear their aligners?
A. The effects of forgetting to wear aligners will depend on how long the patient has gone without wearing them. If it has only been a short time, their aligners should still fit. If it has been a longer amount of time, patients will need to speak with our team.
Q. What happens if my child loses their aligners?
A. If a patient loses their aligners, they should contact our team as soon as possible. Patients may need to revert to their previous aligner or move on to the next set. Our team will help patients choose the right option to keep treatment progressing.
Q. How should my child clean their aligners?
A. Children must clean their aligners properly every day. We recommend using the Invisalign Cleaning System or brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinsing with lukewarm water. Patients should also soak their aligners to get rid of bacteria.
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Invisalign® Terminology
Learn More About Invisalign Teen Today
Fortunately for your teens, straightening your teeth no longer has to be a painful endeavor. We at Vatan Dental Group can help. If you are located in Los Angeles or the surrounding area and would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen, call us at 310-906-1300 to learn more.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2024
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2024
- Invisalign®. How Invisalign Works. 2024
- Invisalign®. Take the Smile Assessment. 2024
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2024
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