Two words spell terror for your average teenager: acne and braces. Although having to wear braces to correctly align the teeth is anything but unusual — over two-thirds of U.S. teens have some orthodontic treatment — it can be a traumatic experience. Plus, braces can be a pain, both literally and figuratively.
Beyond the unpleasant experience of a mouth full of silver bands and wires, the metal itself is an issue. Bands and the wires rub on the lips, and the wires poke the cheeks. Plus, food gets caught in the bands. They can be a singular pain in the mouth!
But at Implant Dentistry of Florida, we offer an alternative to being a metal mouth: Invisalign. Invisalign is a relatively new advance in orthodontic treatment that doesn’t use metal braces and wires to move the teeth.
What is Invisalign?
Invisalign is the latest technology in teeth straightening. Instead of the traditional brackets and wires, Invisalign utilizes clear plastic aligner trays to move the teeth. Each aligner is designed by computer to move the teeth a certain amount and is worn for two weeks. At the end of the two weeks that aligner’s job is finished and the next aligner takes its place. This procedure is repeated until the teeth are in the proper position. And it’s all done without a single wire or band!
What are the advantages of Invisalign?
For self-conscious teens, the biggest advantage of Invisalign is visual.
Because the plastic aligner trays are made from clear plastic and fit snugly onto the teeth, most people can’t tell you’re wearing them, even when they are talking to you nearby.
Plus, without metal bands rubbing on your lips and cheeks and wires poking here and there, Invisalign doesn’t have any of the irritation of traditional braces.
Hygiene is also much easier with Invisalign. Food normally gets stuck in metal bands, and a floss threader is required to get around the wires. But with Invisalign, when it’s time to brush and floss, you simply remove the aligner trays. And Invisalign users can eat whatever they like because during meals the trays are taken off. No need to cut off the kernels with corn on the cob or other adjustments needed with traditional braces.
How does Invisalign work?
After digital images are taken, our state-of-the-art CEREC 3D computer imaging system creates an incredibly detailed 3D image of the patient’s teeth. This image is sent to Align Technology, the creators of Invisalign. Align then makes a digital progression of where the teeth need to move create ideal positioning. It charts this progression in two-week intervals and designs an aligner tray for each two-week cycle. The system will then create from five to 15 aligner trays to accomplish the necessary tooth movement. After the movement is complete, Invisalign retainers are worn to keep them there.
Interested in Invisalign for your teenager? Call us at Implant Dentistry, 321-259-9429, and ask about Invisalign.