Many teens in the United States have orthodontic issues that require treatment. Whether your teen has a crowding problem or misalignment, our orthodontists at Lanzetta Orthodontics can help correct their smile and improve their overall oral health.
Invisalign for teens in Taylor, MI, is one of the more popular orthodontic treatments. Unlike traditional metal braces that use wires and brackets for gradual teeth straightening, Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that are designed to be virtually invisible.
Lanzetta Orthodontics is among the top 1% of Invisalign providers in the U.S. If your teen is looking to achieve the perfect smile, schedule a free consult with our team to learn more about Invisalign for teens.
How Is Invisalign For Teens Different?
Invisalign clear aligners can be used to treat mild to moderate orthodontic concerns among children, teens, and adults. Since teens have all of their permanent teeth but are still growing, Invisalign Teen uses a slightly different approach than that for kids or adults.
As with all Invisalign cases, Invisalign for teens in Taylor, MI, uses a series of plastic aligners custom-made to fit your teen’s unique case. Your teen will wear them for at least 22 hours every day to gradually correct their smile. Each set of clear aligners helps get your child’s teeth closer to a straighter and brighter smile.
During Invisalign’s early days, some orthodontists did not recommend them for teens. Since the clear aligners are removable, it was incorrectly assumed that teens wouldn’t wear them consistently. However, at Lanzetta Orthodontics, we have found that teens make excellent candidates for Invisalign!
Although teens typically have all of their permanent teeth, they are still developing and growing into their final position. Invisalign Teen addresses this unique growth period by using eruption tabs, which hold space for still-erupting teeth while compliance indicators fade over time to show how long the aligners are worn throughout the day.
Benefits Of Invisalign Teen
One of the main advantages of clear aligners is that they are easily removable. As a result, patients can brush and floss their teeth as they normally would by simply taking out the aligners. Invisalign for teens also eliminates the need for food restrictions since you can remove them when eating. We do recommend only drinking water while wearing your aligners, as other liquids may stain or discolor the aligners over time.
Another benefit of Invisalign Teen is the discreet and nearly-invisible design. Invisalign clear aligners use clear plastic to cover the entire row of teeth. Since they are nearly invisible, patients can show off an unobstructed smile during treatment.
In addition, Invisalign treatment for teens only lasts between 12 and 24 months. Thanks to Invisalign clear aligners, teens can achieve a straighter smile quicker and with minimal maintenance.
The Invisalign Process
The Invisalign process starts with an initial examination during your free consult at Lanzetta Orthodontics. Our orthodontists will examine your teen’s mouth and determine whether or not Invisalign is the best solution for their orthodontic issues.
If you decide to go with an Invisalign treatment plan, we will use a digital scanner to create a 3D model of your teen’s teeth and mouth. We then use this 3D model to create custom plastic aligners that fit comfortably in your teen’s mouth.
Invisalign uses a series of clear aligners that gradually move teeth into the correct position. Your teen will wear their aligner for around 2 weeks before moving on to the next set. Our team will give you specific instructions on how long to wear each aligner.
Your teen must wear their aligners for at least 20 or 22 hours per day for optimum results and should only remove their aligners when eating or brushing their teeth.
At Lanzetta Orthodontics, we strive to make the entire Invisalign process as simple and comfortable as possible. However, some patients may experience minor soreness after initially starting treatment and each time they transition to a new set of aligners. Keep in mind that this is completely normal and should subside after a couple of days as your mouth begins to adjust.
Caring For Your Invisalign Clear Aligners
Caring for your aligners is vital for your treatment and overall oral hygiene. Thankfully, caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy.
To care for your aligners, simply take them out and use a soft toothbrush to gently clean them with warm water. It is critical that your teeth and aligners be clean before placing the trays back in. We recommend cleaning the aligners at least once a day to prevent bacterial growth.
Our team at Lanzetta Orthodontics will give you specific instructions on how to care for your clear aligners and protect your overall oral health throughout treatment.
