As a parent, you want the best for your teen’s health and happiness, including their smile. Many teens feel self-conscious about crooked teeth or misaligned bites. At Alba Orthodontics, Orthodontic treatment with clear aligners like the Spark Clear Aligner System has become an increasingly popular option for straightening teen smiles. But what should parents know about clear aligners for teens? Let’s take a closer look.
What Are Clear Aligners and How Do They Work?
Clear aligners are an alternative to traditional metal braces for straightening teeth. One of the most well-known brands is Invisalign, but there are other options as well. Clear aligners use a series of custom-made, BPA-free plastic trays that fit snugly over the teeth. Each set of aligners is worn for 1-2 weeks before progressing to the next set in the series.
The aligners gently shift the teeth into their proper position over time, based on the precise treatment plan mapped out by Dr. Fred and Dr. Jeff. Patients must wear the aligners for 20-22 hours per day, removing them only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. Total treatment time averages 6-18 months but varies depending on the severity of the case.
Benefits of Clear Aligners for Teens
Clear aligners offer a number of benefits that make them an appealing choice for many teens and their families:
- Nearly invisible: The clear plastic is much less noticeable than metal braces, so many people won’t even realize your teen is wearing them. Teens can smile confidently without feeling self-conscious.
- Removable: Aligners can be taken out to eat, making it easier to enjoy all foods without restriction. They are also removed for brushing and flossing, enabling better oral hygiene than with bracket-and-wire braces.
- Comfortable: The smooth plastic is gentler on the mouth than braces, without any sharp edges or wires to irritate cheeks and gums. Most teens adjust to wearing them very quickly.
- Effective: When worn as directed, clear aligners can be just as effective as traditional braces for mild to moderate orthodontic issues like crowding, gaps, and some bite misalignments. More severe cases may require braces or other treatments.
- Convenient: Teens can undergo much of their clear aligner treatment from home, with fewer, shorter checkup visits than with braces. The removable design also means no emergency visits for broken brackets or poking wires.
What to Consider About Clear Aligners
While clear aligners offer many advantages, there are some things parents should keep in mind when considering this treatment option:
- Compliance: Because aligners are removable, it’s up to the patient to wear them enough each day. Some teens may lack the discipline to keep up with the 20-22 hours of daily wear needed for good results. Braces may be a better choice if you don’t feel your teen will be compliant.
- Cost: Aligners tend to cost about the same as braces. Dental insurance may cover some of the expenses, but you’ll likely have some out-of-pocket costs. Financing plans are often available.
- Limitations: Very severe misalignments, rotated teeth, or significant bite issues may require braces or other types of treatments for optimal results. The orthodontist can advise you on whether your teen is a good candidate for aligners.
- Attachments: Some patients need small tooth-colored attachments bonded to certain teeth to help the aligners get a better grip. These are more visible than the aligners alone but are still far less noticeable than braces.
- Discomfort: Like with braces, some soreness or discomfort is normal for a few days after starting a new set of aligners. Removing them repeatedly to eat may also cause some initial soreness, but this typically eases up as patients adapt.
Get an Orthodontic Evaluation
The teenage years are an ideal time to address orthodontic issues because the jaws are still growing. If your teen is bothered by misaligned teeth or has been told they need braces, the first step is a consultation.
We welcome you to schedule a visit with Dr. Jeff and Dr. Fred at Alba Orthodontics for an evaluation. They will examine your teen’s mouth, discuss treatment options, including clear aligners, and develop a personalized plan to help them achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.
Achieve Your Teen’s Confident Smile with Clear Aligner Treatment
Clear aligners are an exciting alternative to braces that can straighten teen smiles with minimal impact on their appearance and lifestyle. However, they aren’t the right fit for every patient or every orthodontic issue. Parents should carefully weigh the pros and cons and discuss options with an orthodontist to determine the best path forward for their teen.
At Alba Orthodontics, we are committed to providing high-quality, personalized care to help each patient achieve their best smile. If you are interested in learning more about clear aligners for your teen, contact us today to schedule a consultation. Dr. Fred and Dr. Jeff look forward to helping your teen gain confidence and improved oral health with a straighter, brighter smile!