Invisalign® for Teens
Over the years, wearing braces has seemingly become a rite of passage for teens and kids in the United States. Recent advances in technology, including the advent of clear aligners, has changed the way many teenagers are being treated at the orthodontist office. The easiest way of knowing which type of braces system is best for a child is to schedule a free consultation and meet with the doctors to discuss a recommended treatment plan. Leave the guesswork at home and call (951) 699-8011 to meet with Dr. Redford or Dr. Burke to discuss if Invisalign is right for your teen.
When Can Kids and Teenagers Get Invisalign?
Invisalign is no longer only for adults. This orthodontic tool has become more common in recent years for treating teens and younger children. In fact, kids as young as seven have found to be age appropriate for Invisalign in certain situations. While the right age for Invisalign is best determined by a qualified orthodontist with the helpful input and expectations of the parents, there are requirements for kids and teens that must be considered first:
- Permanent incisors and first molars should be fully erupted and not impacted. Second molars and some other teeth do not need to be fully erupted, as Invisalign trays can be created to accommodate future eruption.
- A patient’s teeth must be in relatively good condition—meaning teeth are free of damage or tooth decay.
- Patients must be mature enough to accept the responsibility of being cooperative, as it is recommended that clear aligners be worn at least twenty-two hours a day for the greatest results.
Contact the office of Burke & Redford to schedule a free consultation for Invisalign . Now is the time to see if your child or teen is a good Invisalign candidate to address their orthodontic problems and achieve a wonderful smile.
What Types of Issues Does Invisalign Correct?
Achieving straighter teeth is only one piece of the orthodontic puzzle when searching for "Invisalign teen" options. Bringing the upper and lower teeth into an appropriate bite relationship (a good “fit”) is the other main goal of treatment. There are many types of bite problems (known as malocclusions) and several of these can be corrected with clear aligner treatment. For example, a patient who has an overbite would be a potential candidate for both bite correction and teeth straightening using Invisalign.
Again, crooked teeth correction with braces or Invisalign is a basic and obvious goal of orthodontic treatment. Correcting a patient or teenagers unique malocclusion, not merely straightening crooked teeth, is an important aspect of care that must be considered. Additional examples of malocclusions include:
- Gap teeth (also known as a diastema)
- Overcrowding (teeth that lack adequate room to be straight)
- Overjet (horizontal space between the upper and lower front teeth; often referred to by the lay person as “overbite”)
- Overbite (excess vertical overlap of front teeth that can result in uneven wear or chipping)
- Crossbite (upper teeth that bite on the wrong side of the lower teeth)
- Underbite (also known as an anterior crossbite, where the lower teeth protrude in front of the upper teeth)
- Spacing (gaps between teeth that can result in food impacting between teeth or esthetic problems)
- Open bite (also known as an anterior open bite, where a vertical space exists between upper and lower teeth when biting down)
In many cases, the use of clear aligners could be a realistic option to correct these issues. A free, no obligation consultation with our doctors can clearly explain to patients whether or not their unique presentation would be ideally suited for clear aligner treatment.
What Are the Different Types of Braces Available?
Many parents may have wondered, when can kids and teenagers get Invisalign, and is Invisalign really the best treatment tool available when there are several options to choose from. The following is a review of the typical braces options:
- Metal braces: Metal braces are the most common form of braces and have been around for many years. Fortunately, braces have come a long way in the past 20 years! They are now much smaller and have become more comfortable. They are a great option for patients that seek a predictable and time-tested method of teeth straightening.
- Lingual braces: Lingual braces attach to the back surface of teeth. They are ideal for patients who want the predictability and precision of traditional braces but desire something less conspicuous. The treatment process is longer (accessing braces on the back of teeth can be challenging) and patients have reported some difficulty in adjusting to speech changes that result.
- Self-ligating braces: Self-ligating braces (sometimes called Damon braces) look like traditional braces; however, they feature special doors or clips to secure the orthodontic wire to the braces instead of traditional ligatures (ties that go around each individual bracket). This decreases the amount of time spent in the dental chair during adjustment appointments (regular visits) and allows for longer intervals between office visits. We believe these are the best option for our patients and use them in nearly all of our braces cases.
- Ceramic braces: Ceramic braces are like metal braces, but instead of metal brackets, clear brackets are used. They are another option for patients who seek a less obvious solution. We also use white colored wires with these braces! Self-ligating braces come in a ceramic color and are used frequently in our office.
- Invisalign: Invisalign for teens, as described earlier, uses clear aligners (or trays) to gradually move teeth. They are a great alternative for those seeking a virtually undetectable solution. They also give patients the flexibility to remove the aligners to eat, brush and floss teeth, and for important social events. Trays should be worn at least twenty-two hours daily for the best possible results. Consulting with an unbiased orthodontist about expected treatment results is essential when comparing Invisalign vs Braces for Kids and Teenagers. Burke & Redford Orthdontists can show you examples of before and after teens with Invisalign at your consultation.
What is the Average Cost of Invisalign for a Teen?
The cost of Invisalign depends on several factors (e.g. a patient’s dental situation, the complexity of the treatment plan, etc.). You may be like others who have searched online to see “how much is Invisalign near me?”, only to get an unclear answer. As the investment for Invisalign treatment in a simple case can be half the cost of treatment in a complex case, the best way of getting an exact quote is to visit our qualified orthodontists.
Are the results with Invisalign the same regardless of where I get the aligners?
Most dentist and orthodontic offices offer Invisalign services. There are even mail order do-it-yourself aligner companies that have appeared in recent years. This makes the decision about where to seek treatment confusing for those seeking Invisalign to straighten their teeth. It is crucial to know that clear aligners are simply a tool for the treating doctor who creates a custom treatment plan for the patient. The results that are achieved in treatment are dependent on the skill level of the doctor and staff. It is important to be very careful in selecting the right experts to direct your orthodontic treatment for your teen!
Dental Hygiene
Teeth cleaning with Invisalign is virtually unchanged. Patients will want to continue their regular dental hygiene program (e.g. brushing twice a day, flossing, etc.). Cleaning will be considerably less complicated with clear aligners (than with traditional braces), as Invisalign is completely removable.
Is the Team of Burke and Redford Right for Me?
A simple search for "invisalign teen" to find out who is the best orthodontist in Temecula and Lake Elsinore should result in the team of Burke & Redford. Learn more about clear braces for adults. They are both highly qualified specialists widely recognized for providing superior customer service, the latest advancements in technology, and affordable orthodontics. So, if you’ve ever searched for who is the most qualified smile makeover orthodontist near me, look no further.
Our Team of Professionals Are Standing By
Contact Burke & Redford Orthodontists in Temecula or our second orthodontic office in Lake Elsinore. You can call our main office at (951) 699-8011 or fill out the Schedule a Consultation form on our website anytime. We will schedule a time that works with your schedule to discuss Invisalign for teens and questions like when can kids and teenagers get Invisalign.