By Justin Kohl Braces are a rite of passage that many people go through due to the fact our adult teeth simply don’t grow as straight and orderly as they should. While we accept that they are inevitable, they often come at a time when we’re experiencing the most changes in our body and feel the most vulnerable and insecure about our appearance. Luckily, clear aligners offer a promising alternative. Here are the pros and cons of Invisalign for teens.
How Does It Work?
Before we discuss the pros and cons of Invisalign for teens, we should better define what it is and how the treatment works. These plastic aligners easily slip over your teeth like a mouthguard and are flexible and see-through. This provides a more natural and subtle appearance. To tailor Invisalign to a patient, a professional takes a digital impression of their teeth and produces a series of aligners that the patient progressively goes through as treatment progresses and the teeth move into the desired state.
The Advantages
The most pertinent advantage for teenagers is that a transparent aligner is far more subtle in appearance than traditional wire braces. This makes them ideal for teenagers experiencing insecurities about their appearance, something more conspicuous braces would only exacerbate. Furthermore, the fact the aligners are tailored to the patient allows them to be far more comfortable and less likely to cause irritation to the gums and cheeks. They are also removable, making it easier to thoroughly clean the teeth without braces being in the way.
The Challenges
Though Invisalign is still evolving and becoming more effective, it’s still relatively new and best used for mild or moderate cases of dental misalignment. Furthermore, while the ability to remove the aligner makes it easier to keep teeth clean, it also creates the temptation to remove it often, therefore compromising the treatment process. Teens need to be committed to wearing the aligner as much as possible if they hope to see improvement in their teeth. In order to ensure Invisalign is able to adequately help treat your bite issues, you should consult with your orthodontist to ensure your teeth don’t need more drastic measures in order to correct them.