Invisible teeth correction – smile confidence for teens!
Kids teeth straightening – you thought it would be a nightmare! Getting your self-conscious teen to wear aligner braces for their uneven teeth.
Yet latest research shows teenagers don’t mind wearing teeth aligners! As long as they get “invisible braces” – the latest type of clear dental braces.
The world of orthodontic aligners has dramatically changed. Both adults and teens are saying yes to the new clear braces. Such as the popular Invisalign® clear plastic teeth aligners.
In this article – you’ll discover all you need to know about:
- Different types of teeth aligners
- Practical benefits of clear aligners
- Why your teen could be definitely up for Invisalign® clear teeth aligners
- How to maintain and keep clear view braces clean
Teen confidence is all about straight clear teeth
Plan their teeth alignment programme for instant smile care
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What are teeth aligners?
Teeth aligners are braces shaped and moulded to fit your child’s individual mouth. They’re used in a programme of dental treatment known as orthodontics, that’s specifically designed to:
- Straighten, adjust and reposition misaligned teeth
A teeth alignment programme will help give your teenage child:
- Improved bite
- Make eating and chewing easier and more comfortable
And most importantly, your teenage son or daughter will:
- Look and feel better about themselves
- Regain social confidence and freedom to smile
Don’t just take our word for it …
Over 1 million Australian teenagers have started a clear teeth alignment programme, according to Grand View Research, Market Analysis Report, 2016-2028
Different types of teeth aligners
Aligner braces usually come in 3 types of formats and materials:
Traditional metal brace
The most well-known type of teeth aligner is the traditional metal brace. Your teenage son or daughter may not be so keen, however.
This is because of:
- Metal braces and brackets are visibly attached to the teeth, and
- Connected together by thin metal wires
The aligners will also need to be adjusted at regular intervals. This is to effectively apply consistent pressure for gradually repositioning teeth into the desired alignment.
It’s also a type of treatment typically used:
- If more extensive tooth movements are needed throughout the programme
Teens might be attracted to metal braces because of the option to add bright colours to each tooth retaining bracket.
Lingual braces
A brace similar to the traditional standard metal teeth aligner. Here it’s better news for anxious teens because the brackets and wires of the lingual brace are:
- Fixed to the back of the teeth, facing the inside of the mouth
This means this type of brace is:
- Almost entirely invisible and unobtrusive
However, the downside is:
- Brace is closer to the tongue
Which could feel uncomfortable and affect speaking for longer than other types of teeth aligners.
Clear dental aligners
Clear teeth aligners are made of a strong, clear plastic called polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA).
The two big advantages of clear dental aligners for image-conscious teenagers are:
- Almost total invisibility
- Can be easily removed for eating and cleaning
IMPORTANT!
Removable dental aligners must only be removed for brushing and cleaning. They should remain in place at all other times. Or risk affecting and prolonging the ongoing programme of teeth alignment.
How does a teen’s clear teeth alignment programme work?
The first step is for an orthodontist to take an impression of your teen’s teeth bite. This can either be by:
- Traditional dental moulding techniques, or
- Creating a 3D image of the mouth using a digital scan
Analysis of the dental impression or digital scan will decide the recommended number of dental aligner sets needed to complete the entire programme.
Your orthodontist will also give your child a set of “pre-aligners” before the programme starts to help them get used to how they will feel in the mouth.
How many sets of clear aligners will my teenage child need?
The number of sets will depend on a number of individual factors.
A typical teenager may need between 20 and 30 clear teeth aligners. Sometimes, as few as 12 to 15 aligners or as many as 40-50.
This is because teeth are known to normally adjust by around 2mm to 3mm with each new and customised aligner set.
How much repositioning is needed will depend on:
- Distance out from a normal alignment
- Severity of tooth crowding or spacing
Example
- Mild repositioning: 5-7 aligners
- Moderate: 14 to 26 aligners
- Severe: 26+ aligners
How long is the teeth alignment programme?
The average programme for teenagers usually takes 6 to 18 months to complete. Each set of aligners will need to be worn for around 14 days.
Once the entire programme is completed, it’s often recommended for an aligner to still be used for a further 6 months to maintain the realigned teeth.
Your child may also be provided with an overcorrection or refinement aligner for final compensatory adjustments.
Invisalign® – what you need to know
Founded in 1997, Invisalign® clear teeth aligners is one the most well-known brands used by orthodontists throughout Australia. Other brands include 3M Clarity® and Spark®.
Invisalign® is made of a patented high-grade, multi-layered thermoplastic called SmartTrack™. Its flexibility is often a popular choice for both teens and young adults.
SmartTrack™ is also shown to accelerate realignment time by up to 50 per cent with increased precision of up to 75 per cent compared to other aligner materials
Key benefits
- Virtually invisible – eliminating teen embarrassment and encouraging social confidence to smile!
- More comfortable – no sharp edges or need for regular tightening.
- More hygienic – designed specifically to easily remove for brushing and flossing compared to fiddly, awkward cleaning of traditional aligner brackets and wires.
- No eating restrictions – compared to damage sometimes caused to traditional metal braces. Teens can even remove to eat and drink.
Shorter treatment programme than traditional braces – generally 3 -18 months.
How to clean your clear teeth aligners
- Gently brush with a liquid soap to remove any plaque and food particles. Crucially, it will help prevent bacteria from building up within the aligner moulding.
- Soak in a solution of dissolved denture cleaning tablet, which can be easily purchased from a pharmacy or supermarket.
- Always rinse in water / liquid soap whenever you remove.
Summary
Even a self-conscious teenager will readily accept wearing a teeth aligner – if it’s virtually invisible!
There are still the options for a traditional metal brace – complete with colour add-ons – and a lingual brace facing the inside of the mouth.
Increasingly, the go-to teeth alignment programme simply consists of a set of clear plastic aligners – no unsightly brackets or wires. One of the most well-known is Invisalign®, made with high-grade, multi-layered thermoplastic.
A clear aligner is digitally scanned and moulded to comfortably fit the personal contours of the teeth. It’s instantly and easily removed for regular rinsing, cleaning, even when eating or drinking. And there’s no eating restrictions.
FAQs
How can I check if my teen is wearing their aligner all the time?
Invisalign® offers the option to add discreet colour indicators which show exactly how long the aligners are being worn. It’s recommended aligners should be continually worn for at least 20-22 hours every day.
How long before you see any teeth movement?
Usually within the first few weeks of wearing teeth aligners. It can take up to 6 weeks or more to see any significant movement.
How long does a teen teeth alignment programme take?
Typically, 6 to 18 months to complete. Around 20 or more sets of aligners are needed to be worn for approx.14 days each. Invisalign® can take half the time, depending on severity of teeth misalignment.
Need to know more about your teen’s teeth alignment programme?