The teenage years are considered the best time to get healthier, straighter teeth. Malalignment issues can be fixed with relative ease at this time because the body is still growing and can respond quickly to correctional measures. For teens, many orthodontic options exist. At Rollins & Peterson Orthodontics in Mesa, AZ, we provide Invisalign Teen for young patients who want to have their teeth straightened discreetly.
Invisalign Teen FAQs: How Old Should You Be to Use Invisalign?
Q: What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a system that straightens the teeth using clear plastic aligners. It is one of the most popular methods of achieving straighter teeth because it does so without metal brackets or wires. For all intents and purposes, the clear aligners used in this system are invisible.
Q: How Old Should You Be to Use Invisalign?
Adolescents can usually get their aligners starting at age 12. At this age, we can make a full assessment of a person’s current condition and create a treatment plan that will have lifelong benefits. The initial consultation is the time when we determine if an individual is ready to start his or her treatment.
Q: How Does Invisalign Work?
When you opt for Invisalign, we first take a digital scan of your mouth. The images that we create are used to make a series of plastic aligners on a state-of-the-art 3D printer. The aligners begin by matching the current alignment of your teeth and progressively become straighter. The last set of aligners will fit your ideal smile.
Q: How Do You Change the Aligners?
Changing the aligners is incredibly easy. At the beginning of your treatment, you will receive all of your aligners to take home. Just switch the one you have been using for the next in the series every two weeks or so, depending on the schedule we have established. You don’t need to come into our practice every time.
Q: How Many Appointments Will You Need to Make?
One of the advantages of choosing Invisalign is the fact that you don’t need to schedule too many appointments. While braces need to be adjusted every few weeks by an orthodontist, with Invisalign we just need to check in on the progress every few months.
Q: Are the Aligners Really Invisible?
While the aligners aren’t magic, you can think of them as the next best thing. The clear material is so subtle that most people won’t even know you are wearing them. You can feel free to smile for pictures and go about your day with nothing to hide. Your smile is beautiful, so we understand not wanting to cover it up. With Invisalign, your smile can shine for the whole world to see, even while you are straightening your teeth.
Q: Can You Take the Aligners Out?
Yes—in fact, you should take the aligners out when you are eating food or cleaning your teeth. For some people, this is a major advantage because it means that there are no dietary restrictions. You can get a beautiful smile without giving up the freedom to eat all the foods you love. Additionally, cleaning your teeth separately from the aligners is good for hygienic reasons. Best of all, you’ll never get food caught in your aligners.
Q: How Much Time Do You Need to Spend Wearing the Aligners?
Your progress depends on the consistent use of the aligners. To straighten your teeth effectively, the aligners need to be worn for a minimum of 22 hours a day. In general, you should only take them out for eating and cleaning. The good news is that they don’t affect your appearance, so there is really no downside to wearing them.
Q: What Happens if You Lose an Aligner?
Don’t worry—accidents happen. If you lose an aligner, just give us a call. We can get you a replacement.
Q: How Long Does the Treatment Take?
The length of the treatment depends on your individual case. Some people can achieve their final results in as little as six months. Typical treatment time is about 12 months. Fast treatment is a priority for Invisalign with the patented SmartTrack material, which gives orthodontists a high degree of control and the ability to plan treatment according to an accelerated schedule. In 2016, they also gave patients the option to change their aligners on a weekly basis, which further accelerated the process.
Q: What Happens After Invisalign?
Once the active phase of your treatment is finished, we might recommend that you use a retainer for some time to preserve your results. The retainers are made by the Invisalign company and use the same clear material. Like the aligners, it is 100% customized for you.
Q: Is Invisalign Teen Effective?
The Invisalign system was developed over several decades by a leading team of researchers and experts in the field of orthodontics. Today, over 7,000,000 people are enjoying healthier, more beautiful smiles as a result of this treatment. Invisalign is constantly making new innovations and benefiting from technological breakthroughs. Their goal is always to offer you the most effective and advanced orthodontic care possible.
Q: What Kinds of Conditions Can Invisalign Treat?
Invisalign is extremely effective at correcting mild-to-moderate orthodontic cases. Patients opt for this system to improve crowded teeth, gap teeth, and general misalignment. Problems with the bite can also be addressed, including overbites, crossbites, and underbites.
Q: Can Invisalign Address More Challenging Situations?
In some cases, yes. The Invisalign company developed SmartForce attachments which are used when certain teeth require more pressure than others. These little tags blend in with the color of the individual teeth to which they are affixed. They act as handles, giving the aligners a greater ability to provide straightening. Not all patients require SmartForce attachments. We can determine if they are right for you during a consultation.
Q: How Do the Aligners Feel in Your Mouth?
One of the biggest advantages of choosing Invisalign is comfort. Some people don’t like the feeling of metal brackets. For them, braces can be challenging. The Invisalign aligners are a good alternative because they are made of smooth plastic. They are cut specifically for your gum line, so they fit there comfortably throughout the day and night.
Q: Are the Aligners Durable?
You don’t have to worry about the aligners breaking, and they won’t interfere with any of your normal activities. This is especially advantageous for teens, who often play sports and practice musical instruments. With Invisalign, there is no need to be prepared for an emergency visit to the orthodontist in the case of a broken bracket or a popped wire.
Q: Do the Aligners Hurt as They Straighten Your Teeth?
While you will feel pressure from each new set of aligners, it should never be great enough to cause discomfort. We can plan your treatment so that each set exerts enough force to straighten your teeth but not so much that the sensation becomes overbearing.
Q: How Long Has This Treatment Been Available?
Invisalign Teen has been an option for adolescents in need of teeth straightening since 2008. Since then, it has gained popularity on the basis of its excellent results. The Invisalign team itself was founded in 1997. Since then, it has conducted groundbreaking research. With each successful treatment, the team gathers new data that helps it further advance its approach. Teens today benefit from decades of technological breakthroughs and a long history of success.
Q: Why Is Invisalign Especially Beneficial for Teens?
Invisalign is a great option for adults as well as teens, however, teens especially love how the clear aligners fit in with their lifestyle. Between homework, extracurriculars, and a lot of new responsibilities, young people have many things on their plate. Invisalign is a teeth-straightening solution that, unlike many aspects of being a teenager, is easy. It avoids the hassle of braces and works effectively with a minimal number of appointments at the orthodontist’s office. Teens can continue to eat their favorite foods, brush their teeth, and go about their daily lives as normal.
The Outstanding Results of Invisalign Teen
Invisalign teens offers an innovative way to achieve straighter teeth that is subtle and comfortable. It makes the process easy and convenient. Beyond the process, the real benefit of choosing Invisalign comes in the form of lifelong results.
Your Teeth Will Look Great
After Invisalign for teens, you will be able to enjoy a lifetime of straight teeth. You will take your radiant new smile into every professional situation and every important social occasion you encounter. Imagine having the smile of your dreams for your wedding, your job interviews, your vacation photos, etc. Every time you see your straight teeth in the mirror, you will be reminded of the fact that you have made a positive decision for yourself and your health.
You Will Have a Healthier Mouth
As orthodontists, we believe the most important reason to choose Invisalign is to gain the health benefits. When your teeth are straight, they are easier to brush. You don’t need to worry about maneuvering your toothbrush around tricky overlaps or crowded areas.
Improved hygiene means fewer complications down the road. You will have less of a chance of developing conditions like gingivitis. Tooth extractions and other procedures are less common for people who have straight teeth. When you take care of your teeth, your teeth can take care of you.
Schedule a Consultation
Whether you are a teen or a parent, the best way to get more information is by coming in to meet us in person. We can answer all of your questions about this treatment and do an initial assessment to determine whether or not it is the best option. Today, there are many excellent treatments available to teens. We can explain all of these and help find the solution that is perfect for your case.
Invisalign Lets Teens Show Their Smiles Clearly
At what age can teens get their aligners? Usually, anytime after 12 is a good age. We can assess your teen during a consultation to determine whether he or she is ready. With Invisalign, teens can get the highest level of orthodontic care with virtually no down-side. The aligners are comfortable, hygienic, effective, and almost invisible. The Invisalign team is committed to harnessing the power of biomechanics and the latest developments in orthodontic technology. They have developed a system that gives teens straight, beautiful teeth and all of the benefits that go along with them.
Contact us at Rollins & Peterson Orthodontics in Mesa, AZ for more information on Invisalign Teen. We look forward to meeting you and helping you achieve the smile of your dreams.
