At McClaran Orthodontics, we know that your teen is always on the go and needs an orthodontic treatment that works for their busy lifestyle. Invisalign is the perfect option for your teen because it allows them the flexibility and freedom to do all the things they want and eat all of the treats they love. Orthodontic treatment should work for the wearer, and these removable clear aligners can be a welcome addition to any phase of life. Getting the smile of your dreams shouldn’t be difficult, and Dr. McClaran and our highly-skilled team are here to make your journey as smooth as possible.
How Often Do I Have to Wear My Aligners?
Invisalign is an investment, and to honor that investment, we suggest you wear the clear aligners for at least 22 hours. For Invisalign to be efficient, it needs to be given the time to shift your teeth with consistent pressure. If you leave your aligners out for too long, then there could be unwanted shifting that would delay your dream smile.
As an added motivator, Invisalign Teen comes with compliance indicators that show how often the teen has been wearing their aligners. These indicators are printed toward the back of the aligners and fade as the patient consistently wears their Invisalign. If the indicator hasn’t faded enough, this may be a sign to our doctor and the patient that they must spend more time in their clear aligners.
Is There Anything That I Cannot Eat While Using Invisalign?
No! One of Invisalign’s best aspects is that you don’t have to sacrifice any of your favorite treats. You will need to remove your aligners to eat, so no food could affect your treatment’s efficiency. There is no fear of pulling wires or breaking brackets, so you are free to chew gum and eat popcorn to your heart’s content. Just remember to replace your clear aligners when you’re done!
How Long Does Invisalign Take?
Invisalign treatment length varies depending on the patient. Every dream smile looks a little different, so the treatments look different as well. If you need more extensive problems corrected, it may lengthen your time in Invisalign. However, you can start seeing results as early as six months in, and many patients finish their treatment within one to two years.
For a more accurate estimate of what your time in Invisalign may look like, schedule your first complimentary appointment with us today!
How Does Invisalign Teen Work?
Invisalign Teen is a series of clear aligners that fit snugly on your teen’s teeth and shift them into the right position with consistent pressure. We will take a 3D image of your teen’s mouth during the initial appointment and use this all-encompassing picture to print a set of aligners that fit perfectly. Dr. McClaran will create a plan for their treatment that leads to the beautiful result of a dream smile. To get to this desired result, you will receive a new set of aligners weekly that have been adjusted slightly. As long as the Invisalign is worn for at least 22 hours a day, you will begin noticing results soon after beginning treatment!
What Happens If My Teen Loses an Aligner?
We know accidents happen, and there’s no need to worry! If your teen accidentally throws away their aligners at lunch or forgets it at their friend’s house, just let us know right away. The sooner you tell us, the sooner we can either get you a replacement or have you go to your next aligner. We don’t want any unwanted shifting to occur while your teen is without their Invisalign, so we will need to get them a new set right away.
However, if your teen is already close to getting a new set of aligners anyway, we may decide that it’s fine to wait for their new pair at the two-week mark. Either way, there is no reason for concern; we have you covered.
How Much Is Invisalign for Teens?
The price of Invisalign varies from patient to patient, depending on how long your teen will need to be in the treatment. If they need more extensive correcting, it may lengthen their time in treatment and increase the cost. While Invisalign is an investment, we work to keep costs down so that quality orthodontic treatment is accessible to all of our community. We partner with insurance providers and have created a variety of flexible financing plans so that your teen can have the smile of their dreams without costing you an arm and a leg.
Benefits of Invisalign
Along with being able to eat whatever you want, your teen can enjoy the added benefit of having an orthodontic treatment that is virtually invisible. No one besides the wearer will be aware that they are in place, and the aligners can be easily removed for pictures or special events. With Invisalign, your teen won’t even have to change their oral hygiene routine. When they are ready to brush and floss their teeth all they have to do is remove the trays, clean their teeth then pop them back in! The flexibility of Invisalign allows your teen to do all of the things they love without worrying about noticeable appliances or breaking a bracket. They can even wear their aligners while playing their favorite sports, as these clear aligners can act as a sort of mouthguard.
