85 North Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 763-4500
85 North Park Avenue Rockville Centre, NY 11570
(516) 763-4500
Teenagers are generally suitable for Invisalign Teen once they have most of their permanent or adult teeth. Usually, this is around age 12 or 13.
Younger children may be suitable for another Invisalign treatment specially designed for children who still have some of their baby teeth remaining.
The major difference between Teen Invisalign and traditional braces is the ease of treatment.
Invisalign Teen Aligners are fully removable, whereas traditional braces use brackets and wires firmly fixed onto teeth for the duration of treatment. Invisalign aligners are extremely discreet and are nearly invisible, whereas traditional braces are highly visible.
Office visits
Teens will need to visit our dental office for checkups every six weeks, but these will be very quick to complete. In comparison, teens with traditional braces may need to visit their orthodontist every 4 to 8 weeks. These appointments can be lengthier as the braces need to be adjusted and tightened as treatment progresses.
Treatment length
Treatment lengths are about the same for Invisalign and traditional braces. However, teens requiring only minor tooth adjustments may be suitable for cosmetically oriented removable aligners that can take as little as six months to move front teeth into the correct positions.
Food restrictions
There are no food restrictions with Invisalign for Teen. With traditional braces, patients must avoid very hard or sticky foods that could break the brackets or damage the wires, or are hard to remove during brushing and flossing.
Maintenance
Removable aligners are very easy to keep clean as they are taken out for meals and are easily washed. Oral hygiene wearing traditional braces is far more complicated as the wires and brackets easily trap food and dental plaque and require specialized tools to clean around them thoroughly. Daily oral hygiene routines can take far longer with traditional braces.
Finally, many teens love playing sports, and there is a higher risk of damage to their teeth and gums if they happen to take a blow to the mouth while wearing fixed braces. The risk while wearing removable aligners is lower as they are easily taken out, so a well-fitting custom mouthguard can be worn.
Read more: Invisalign vs Traditional Braces
Invisalign Teen provides a convenient and flexible option for teens seeking orthodontic treatment. With proper adherence to the treatment plan, teens can achieve the desired results of a straighter, healthier smile without the discomfort and visibility associated with traditional braces.
Your teen will wear the aligners for 22 hours a day, but they can be easily removed, so there is less disruption to their lifestyle. Invisalign Teen also comes with an indicator that allows a parent to monitor their teenager’s compliance with treatment.
The treatment process for Invisalign Teen is the same as for adult-oriented treatment. To ensure treatment is appropriate, Dr. Adam Shoukry will need to assess their teeth and jaws before taking diagnostic tests to plan each tooth movement precisely. The software used for Invisalign Teen produces the same digital images showing the predicted results, which can be viewed before treatment begins.
Once a treatment plan has been agreed, the teenager will be given one set of aligners, which are usually worn for one to two weeks for at least 20 to 22 hours before moving on to the next set in the series. The aligners gradually and gently move the teeth into the desired position. Most patients need 15 to 30 trays over the course of 6 to 15 months. After completing Invisalign treatment, the teenager would need to wear retainers at night to keep their teeth aligned.
Dr. Adam Shoukry, DDS, is a cosmetic dentist who strives to provide each of his patients with personalized care and educate them on the state of their dental health so that they can make informed decisions. Dr. Shoukry really enjoys his work and is committed to continued education, having attended several accredited courses in every aspect of dentistry.
Dr. Shoukry graduated from NYU College of Dentistry with a Doctor of Dental Surgery degree and then completed his general practice residency at Nassau University Medical Center. Being a member of the American Dental Association, the Academy of General Dentistry, and the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Dr. Shoukry strives to provide comprehensive dental examinations, a full range of cosmetic treatments, and the best restorative oral health care available.