“Off days” don’t exist for modern teens in Redlands and Beaumont. This generation is the most visible and connected in history, from cell phones to social media. While it feels like a rite of passage at this point, sharing so much so often can get a little overwhelming.
That feeling can be amplified if a teen feels their smile is less than perfect. Here at Chamberlain Family Orthodontics, we see every patient’s unique inner and outer beauty. Still, we know what a good feeling it is to have a beautifully aligned, fully functional smile you’re proud of. Invisalign is one way we can help our teen patients achieve that kind of smile!
Orthodontic treatment has many benefits beyond improving a teen’s cosmetic appearance. Having a poorly aligned bite or a misaligned jaw can lead to issues you may not even associate with teeth, including headaches, pain in the jaw, neck, and shoulders, teeth-grinding, gum disease, and speech issues.
Invisalign treatment gives teens a straighter, more aligned smile and an optimized bite pattern. This makes the teeth more attractive, makes it easier to keep them clean, and helps them function at their best. Curious about what makes Invisalign such an excellent choice for teens? Let’s take a look at what the Invisalign system is all about and the benefits that come with it!
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign offers teen patients a nearly invisible way to straighten their teeth without the restrictions that can accompany more traditional braces treatment. Instead of using wires, brackets, and bands to straighten teeth, Invisalign uses a series of clear, removable, custom-made aligners. These are worn over the teeth and are changed weekly for the next in the system. As the teeth gradually shift into their new and improved positions, you’ll start to notice your teen smiling more confidently!
While the Invisalign system was initially developed for adults, it has evolved into an ideal treatment option for teens. The clear material used to create the aligners makes them virtually invisible, something our teen patients love! The removability also offers teens an extra measure of freedom and flexibility while Dr. Chamberlain straightens their teeth. Invisalign also boasts no food restrictions, easier oral hygiene, and faster treatment times compared to traditional braces. What’s not to love if you’re an active teen in need of orthodontic treatment?
Keeping track of your teen’s Invisalign progress
Because Invisalign aligners are a removable orthodontic appliance, some parents worry about their teen’s compliance with the system. Dr. C and Dr. A instruct teen patients to wear their clear aligners for 20-22 hours per day to achieve the best results. Parents who want to be sure a teen patient is holding up their end of the treatment bargain will be excited to learn we use the iTero Invisalign Progress Assessment to keep track of compliance!
We often refer to this tool as our “lie detector.” This is our primary compliance indicator, as it assures Dr. C and Dr. A that the patient is following our guidelines. As a secondary measure, Invisalign aligners also have a compliance indicator incorporated into each try that will fade from blue to clear, providing parents with a visual approximation of wear (and peace of mind). If you’re still concerned about compliance, we offer virtual visits in between check-ups.
Eruption tabs are another beneficial feature of the Invisalign system. These accommodate the growth of the second molars in young adults, helping to keep space open for unerupted teeth and making it possible to treat a broader range of conditions with Invisalign.
Replacement aligners come in handy, too! Although we encourage our teen patients to treat their aligners with care, there’s no need to stress if one is misplaced or damaged. Chamberlain Family Orthodontics will provide up to five replacement aligners at no charge, just in case!
Invisalign works as well as traditional braces
Invisalign is highly effective for treating most cases of under and overbite, open bite, overcrowding, and gaps between the teeth.
Invisalign offers extra flexibility
Even though modern braces have come a long way, they can still take some getting used to. Food restrictions are often one of the steepest learning curves for teens. Patients need to avoid anything hard or chewy, and that can mean a little extra planning to navigate school, a social life, and orthodontic treatment with success. Because Invisalign aligners are removable and designed to be taken out at mealtimes, teens can eat as they usually would, provided they are careful about brushing and flossing afterward.
Fortunately, Invisalign’s removable aligners make that easy to do! Teens often have busy schedules, and keeping up oral hygiene when they’re on the go can be difficult. This is especially true for those in braces, as extra time is required to navigate around the brackets and wires. Our teen Invisalign patients can pop their aligners out to eat, brush and floss once they’ve finished, then pop the aligners back in. It couldn’t be simpler to keep their teeth clean at home, school, and everywhere in between.
Invisalign increases self-confidence
As an adult, we can sometimes forget all the pressures of being a teenager. When you have grown-up concerns to consider, it can be easy to underestimate how self-conscious a teen may be about crooked teeth or other dental issues affecting their smile.
Even though traditional braces are an excellent long-term solution for malocclusions, teens already concerned about their appearance may not want the added worry of braces. Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible, so they can remove an authentic source of stress for teens: the idea that braces will make them “stand out” unnecessarily until their treatment is complete. As a bonus, they can also be removed for all-important occasions when a teen only wants their natural smile to shine through, such as homecoming, prom, and senior pictures.
Invisalign leaves more time for teens to do what they love
Trying to fit work, school, sports, and other extracurriculars into your family’s schedule, let alone regular orthodontist appointments, can be exhausting. Compared to traditional braces, patients using the Invisalign system require less frequent in-office visits, due in part to Dr. Chamberlain pre-programming the tooth movement into the digital setup. Patients can expect check-up appointments every 8-12 weeks and can be seen in our Redlands or Beaumont location.
These appointments are an important part of every orthodontic journey! We can observe a teen’s progress to ensure the teeth are moving as predicted and make any necessary adjustments, such as enamel reshaping and attachment changes to improve the overall appearance of the teeth. Unlike some orthodontists, Dr. C and Dr. A utilize Invisalign for complex cases that require bite correction, so these visits are also used to check and change the rubberband patterns as needed.
We pack a lot into these essential visits, but we do our best to get your teen in and out as quickly as possible so they can get back to doing the things they love!
Invisalign is the clear winner at Chamberlain Family Orthodontics
Invisalign is designed for teens who have lost all their baby teeth and whose 12-year molars are at least partially erupted. If you have a teen you believe may benefit from this innovative orthodontic treatment, why not get in touch today to schedule a free consultation with us?
We have a talented team committed to providing a comfortable, stress-free, and rewarding orthodontic experience for every patient we see. With two convenient locations in Redlands and Beaumont and a skilled team who loves what they do, we welcome you to discover your teen’s best smile with Chamberlain Family Orthodontics today!
