If you and your child are interested in an alternative to traditional braces, Invisalign® may be just what you are looking for. It is just as effective at straightening teeth as traditional braces but has certain qualities that make it more tolerable for teenagers.
It is usually preferable to wait to delay teeth straightening treatment until all the baby teeth are out of the mouth and all the permanent teeth have come in. That is why this treatment usually begins in late childhood or early adolescence. While it is possible to straighten adults' teeth, it is beneficial to start during adolescence before the bones of the skull have completely fused together.
Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign®, but if your child's malalignment is relatively mild, it may be an option. For teenagers who are candidates for clear aligners, it works just as well at straightening teeth as traditional braces while offering certain other advantages.
Traditional braces consist of metal wires and brackets. When these hard components rub up against the soft tissues of the cheeks and lips, they can cause friction. The tissues inside the mouth are delicate and sensitive, and the constant pressure can cause irritation and sore spots. Invisalign® is made of smooth plastic, so it does not produce as much irritation due to friction.
Maintaining oral hygiene is important when your teen is going through the treatment so that, once the teeth are straight, they are still healthy. Brushing and flossing with braces attached to the teeth is more challenging. Clear aligners are removable, making it easier for your child to brush and floss after every meal.
Traditional braces put limits on the things your teen can eat and drink. Foods that are hard, sticky, and chewy can bend wires and pull brackets off teeth. Because your teen removes clear aligners for eating and drinking, no food is completely forbidden during the treatment. As a result, there is also less chance that you have to make an emergency call about acute damage to braces.
While there are variations on traditional braces to make them less noticeable, they always remain visible. Invisalign® is made of clear plastic that is fitted to the teeth. This makes the aligners very difficult to see, even if you are specifically looking for them.
Teenagers can feel self-conscious about their appearance and may go out of their way to hide the braces on their teeth. Regardless of how noticeable their braces are to others, they may make teens feel uncomfortably conspicuous. Because clear aligners are practically invisible, teens feel more comfortable and less inhibited when wearing them.
Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Bakersfield, CA
Invisalign® offers significant advantages over traditional braces that may make it a better treatment option to straighten the teeth of your teenage child.
Request an appointment or call Brimhall Dental Group at 661-249-1122 for an appointment in our Bakersfield office.
Invisalign® clear aligner trays are not just for adults; teenagers and some children can also benefit from this treatment system. Many teens prefer Invisalign® over traditional braces because of the numerous advantages it offers, including:Discreet treatment appliancesMore comfort throughout the entire processRemovable trays for improved oral hygieneWhile wearing these trays is easy and relatively effortless,…
A popular way to straighten teeth without traditional braces is Invisalign®. Clear aligners are available for both adults and teenagers who are interested in improving the alignment of their teeth and improving the appearance of their smiles. The aligners are not visible in the mouth and do not have metal components that can irritate sensitive…
Getting braces is not something that most teens look forward to. Invisalign® treatments for teens may be an option that has benefits for your teen.Invisalign® designs and markets a different treatment option for teens which the company calls Invisalign® Teen. The primary difference between the two products is that Invisalign® Teen has a set of…
Are you looking for CPAP alternatives to treat your sleep apnea? Obstructive sleep apnea is a common condition that impacts millions of individuals all across the globe. Due to this condition, the patient’s airway closes while they are asleep. This can lead to symptoms like difficulty staying asleep throughout the night, snoring, morning headaches, and…
Dentures can be a great way to replace missing teeth, but they require regular denture care and maintenance. In fact, dentures can last for ten or more years with proper denture care. How long dentures will last depends on how well and how often you take care of them.Dentures rarely need repairs, but dentists recommend…