Virtually Invisible Orthodontics: Invisalign Teen® at Schaefer Dental Group
There’s a new technology that’s (literally) putting a smile on plenty of young faces: A system of clear, removable aligners made especially for teens called Invisalign Teen®! If you (or a teenager you know) are a candidate for this treatment, you might find it’s the best fit for your lifestyle: It lets you eat what you want, makes it easier to clean your teeth—and best of all, it’s virtually invisible.
Is a clear aligner right for you? It all depends on what kind of orthodontic treatment you need. Traditional metal braces still work best in some situations, but now that aligners are being designed specifically for teens, more are choosing them every day. Schaefer Dental Group offers this modern, discreet solution in Lansing, Michigan.
How Invisalign Teen Works
Basically, a clear aligner is a thin plastic covering or “tray” that fits over your top and/or bottom teeth. You’ll wear a series of aligners that will gradually move your teeth into better positions. Here’s how they work:
- Each aligner is custom-made with the help of a computer program that precisely plans the movement of your teeth.
- You’ll wear each tray for two weeks or so, to shift your teeth slightly, and then you’ll go on to the next one in the series.
- Over time, all of the small movements will add up to a big change!
Your aligner is designed to be worn 22 hours a day, allowing you to take it off for meals or important social occasions.
A Clear Distinction: Advantages for Teens
Invisalign Teen offers significant benefits over traditional metal braces:
- Easier Oral Hygiene: Because they’re removable, there’s nothing to keep you from brushing and flossing everywhere in your mouth, preventing the common oral hygiene problems associated with fixed braces.
- No Dietary Restrictions: You won’t have to watch what you eat because you simply remove the aligner at mealtimes.
- Comfort: The plastic of an aligner rarely causes irritation to the cheeks and gums, and you won’t need emergency visits to fix a protruding wire or broken bracket.
- Compliance Indicators: These colored dots built into the aligners fade over time as the trays are worn, helping ensure you follow the prescribed wear time (solving the concern that teens wouldn’t wear them long enough).
- Eruption Tabs: Aligners made for teens come with these built in, designed to hold space for permanent teeth that have not yet fully erupted, accommodating a teenager’s developing smile.
Today, more people than ever—both adults and teens—are finding that clear aligners suit their needs best. Are you one of them?