Invisalign® for Teens

What is Invisalign®?

Invisalign® is an excellent orthodontics treatment option for teens who want to straighten their teeth without standing out. In fact, most people can’t tell that you are wearing anything because the aligners are completely clear. This means that not only can you smile brightly without worrying about your appearance, your smile will start to look better as the aligners start to move your teeth into their correct positions. No more waiting until the end of your treatment to notice a difference in your appearance. When considering Invisalign® vs. metal braces, it’s important to consider how you want to look during your orthodontics treatment.

How is Invisalign® Different from Clear Braces?

Patients frequently ask us about clear braces. They’re an excellent alternative to traditional metal braces because, like Invisalign®, no one can tell that you are wearing them. They’re similar to metal braces though in that they use (enamel-colored) brackets and wires to guide your teeth into position.

When getting clear braces, your jaw structure is also taken into consideration. If you have a misaligned jaw, as is common with an overbite, that will need to be corrected as well, or you won’t have the perfect smile that you are looking for. At Premier Dental Care, we create customized treatment plans that are based on the needs of each patient. With this in mind, we will provide you with all of the information you need in order to make an informed decision as to whether or not clear braces are for you. If you live in the 20012 area, call (202) 723-2400 to schedule your consultation to ask about Invisalign® for Teens.

Invisalign® vs. Metal Braces

At Premier Dental Care, we offer Invisalign® for Teens so that you can straighten your teeth without anyone noticing. If you want to improve your appearance, this is an excellent way to do it. Here’s what you should know about the differences between Invisalign® and metal braces.

Metal braces are a reliable solution for straightening your teeth that have been used for decades. In fact, your parents may have used them when they were teenagers. The technology is still similar today — a metal bracket placed on each tooth with a wire threaded between them and secured with rubber bands. Some kids like how they can pick out fun rubber band colors to match their mood or a holiday. But if that’s not your idea of fun, metal braces may not be for you.

How is Invisalign® different for adults vs. teens?

The process for straightening teeth with Invisalign® is similar for adults and teens, but the reasons for choosing this option are not. For both age groups, Invisalign® straightens teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligners that look like a clear retainer and are virtually invisible so that no one will know that you are wearing them. Every two weeks or so, both age groups switch out their current aligner for the next one in the series, moving that much closer to straight teeth.

For teens, however, their reasons for choosing one treatment over another can be very different depending on their interests and hobbies. If, for example, you play a wind instrument, wearing traditional metal braces may be extremely uncomfortable. With Invisalign®, however, this isn’t an issue. This means that discussing lifestyle and interests during a dental appointment isn’t just small talk — the better Dr. Hines understands your needs, the more equipped we are to make the right treatment recommendation.

At Premier Dental Care, we’ve noticed that the biggest difference between treating adults and teens is that teenagers have a lot more going on. While adults are busy with work and family obligations, they are rarely still involved in the extracurricular activities that used to fill their time. Teenagers, on the other hand, are busy running around and hanging out with friends, and they may choose Invisalign® simply because they can take them out when they’re having fun. And while it may delay your treatment time slightly, it will also make it possible to have fun without worrying about your teeth.

Advantages of Invisalign® compared to traditional braces

We understand the advantages of Invisalign® compared to traditional braces — the experience is 100 percent different. When you wear braces, everyone can tell that you are straightening your teeth, and it can be difficult to eat, brush your teeth, and play sports or an instrument without feeling uncomfortable. Lots of teens are embarrassed to grab a hamburger for fear that the food will become stuck in braces. This is a legitimate fear, but with Invisalign® for Teens it’s not a worry. You are supposed to take your aligners out when you eat, so there is no risk of food becoming stuck and no chance of becoming embarrassed.

Dr. Hines also recommends that patients take out their aligner when playing sports so that they can run around the field and have fun without worrying about the aligner coming loose or feeling like they need to play safe in order to protect their teeth. We also suggest that patients take out their aligner when playing an instrument, singing in the choir, or participating in other activities where it could cause discomfort.

The bottom line when comparing Invisalign® to traditional braces is that you don’t have to slow down. You can straighten your teeth and still hang out with your friends, smile boldly in pictures, eat all the foods that you love and never worry about your teeth. When you wear braces, you have to think about your teeth constantly. But with Invisalign®, you have the freedom to enjoy life and live it your way – without restriction. Teens in Washington have enough things to worry about — their teeth shouldn’t be one of them.

For more information on Invisalign® Teen or to schedule a consultation, call (202) 723-2400. Call today so you can have a beautiful smile tomorrow.