Here at Now Orthodontics, Darryl E. Gilmore, DDS, MEd and staff are proud to bring the latest technology to treatments for our patients. That’s why we offer Invisalign Teen, a teeth-straightening option that uses clear, removal aligners as opposed to traditional braces. While braces might still be the perfect solution for you, we will help you understand your treatment options and the benefits of each.
Many teenagers are affected by malocclusions that need to be fixed. However, the thought of going through high school with braces can be very embarrassing.
Luckily for teenagers, Invisalign Teen® can be very helpful. Your teenager can get the smile that he or she deserves without wires.
Invisalign Teen® uses clear aligners so that nobody will even know your teenagers is getting dental care. As long as your teenager wears them for at least twenty-two hours a day, they will get the dental care they need without the embarrassment of wires and braces.
Even better, your teenager will be able to remove the aligners when it is time to eat. He or she will be able to eat anything. There are no restrictions that usually come with braces, like avoiding corn on the cob. All he or she has to do is remove the aligners. Once your teenager is finished eating, it is important to brush both his or her teeth and the aligners.
What Are These Clear Aligners For Teens?
Invisalign uses a set of clear aligners that are molded to the patient’s mouth and designed to progressively move the teeth closer together. They are clear, which makes them virtually invisible to everyone else. Because they are removable, they also do not have restrictions as far as the foods patients can eat. Keeping the teeth clean is also easier because the aligners can be removed for brushing.
In the past, this treatment option was only available to adults, as it was thought teens would not wear the aligners for the proper amount of time and there was concern about remaining incoming teeth. With technology has come the implementation of compliance indicators, which let us know if patients have worn the aligners long enough, and eruption tabs, which can hold space for teeth that have not erupted yet.
About Treatment
Invisalign treatment is straightforward. The aligners must be worn for 22 hours every day, which we can track with the compliance indicators. These trays can be removed at mealtimes and to brush and floss the teeth. Every two weeks or so, the patient upgrades to the next aligner in the set, which moves the teeth slightly toward better alignment. This continues until the patient and orthodontist are satisfied with the results. The length of treatment varies with each patient, but it is typical for it to last over a year.
Now Orthodontics is happy to offer a number of different treatments to meet the various needs of our patients, including the latest in technology such as Invisalign for teens. Schedule a consultation with Dr. Gilmore today by calling 817-847-9901 for our Saginaw office. You can also request an appointment online.