At Discover Orthodontics, we strive to provide every patient with individualized orthodontic care that is customized to their teeth and orthodontic needs. For the majority of our teenage patients, this means developing and designing Invisalign clear aligners to slowly shift their teeth to the desired position. Because Invisalign for teens is semi-new, we understand that parents will have a lot of questions, and our Burlington orthodontist is here with answers!
1. What is Invisalign & Invisalign Teen?
Invisalign is an orthodontic appliance used to treat crooked or misaligned teeth. Orthodontists usually recommend Invisalign to patients with minor to mild orthodontic needs, as it cannot treat severe orthodontic problems.
Invisalign Teen is just like regular Invisalign in Burlington, but with a couple of notable differences. Invisalign Teen aligners come with tiny compliance indicators which fade as the aligners are worn to tell the patient, parents and orthodontist whether the aligners are being worn as directed. The aligners also have ‘eruption tabs’ built right in which hold space for permanent teeth that have yet to erupt through the gums.
2. How Do Aligners Move Teeth?
Over the course of your orthodontic treatment, your child will be given a series of aligners. Each one will make slight adjustments to tooth position, a process that is planned out in advance, specifically to meet your teen’s needs. The aligners put consistent pressure on the teeth, causing them to shift from their current positions. Approximately every 2 weeks, your child will change aligners until their teeth are correctly aligned according to the precise treatment plan developed by Dr. Iwasiuk, your local Burlington orthodontist.
3. How Long Does Invisalign Teen Treatment Last?
The length of treatment is patient dependent and specific. The average Invisalign treatment case takes about 12-18 months.
4. Are There Food Restrictions?
No, the Invisalign aligners are designed to be removed when eating and drinking. Your teen can continue to enjoy all their favorite foods while improving their smile with Invisalign in Burlington. (Although, our patients who have attachments on their teeth with Invisalign treatment do need to be careful eating crunchy foods).
5. How Often Should My Child Wear the Aligners?
In order for Invisalign to work properly, the aligners must be worn for 22+ hours each day. They should only be taken out when eating or drinking and when brushing or flossing. In addition, if your child plays a contact sport it is recommended to remove aligners during the activity.
6. How Should the Aligners Be Cleaned?
Your teen can simply brush the aligners gently using a small dab of toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush and then rinse them off when done. A good time to clean the aligners is when you are brushing and flossing your teeth. Never use hot water when cleaning the aligners because it can warp the plastic which would render the aligners unwearable.
7. Will My Child Need a Retainer after Invisalign?
Yes, your child will need to wear a retainer according to the directions we give you to ensure that their teeth remain in their new positions.
Schedule an Appointment for Invisalign Teen Today!
If you are interested in Invisalign Teen for your child, contact Discover Orthodontics in Burlington. We will be happy to walk you through the details of Invisalign Teen and answer any further questions you may have. Request an appointment for your teen today! We look forward to seeing you soon!