Many of our teenage and young adult patients are very excited when they find out we provide Invisalign clear braces. This is because they’ve heard about all of the benefits that Invisalign offers compared to traditional braces when it comes to treating mild to moderate orthodontic concerns. As your trusted family dentist in Worcester, MA, we are committed to helping all of our patients learn more about our dental services. Here are three reasons why your teen may prefer Invisalign:
1. No Dietary Restrictions
Teens and young adults often dread the dietary restrictions that come with pursuing orthodontic care for their smiles. This is because traditional braces require patients to have metal brackets and wires firmly attached to their dental structures throughout the entirety of their treatment plan. To protect the dental hardware, patients with traditional braces are advised to avoid excessively crunchy or chewy foods until their treatment plan is complete. Unfortunately, it can take several months or even years for orthodontic treatment to be complete, resulting in years of dietary restrictions. Invisalign allows patients to avoid these dietary restrictions. As a clear aligner system, patients are given the ability to remove the aligners whenever they want to eat or drink something. Parents love this feature of Invisalign as well because it means their teen will not have any additional oral hygiene challenges as they undergo treatment. They can simply remove their aligners to brush or floss.
2. Maintained Self-Esteem
Crooked, misaligned teeth often cause some issues with teens and their own personal self-esteem. Adding metallic orthodontic hardware on top of that can cause extra stress and social anxiety. Invisalign aligners are clear, meaning patients do not have to worry about anyone knowing that they are undergoing treatment. Unless your teen removes their aligners in front of other people, no one should be able to tell that they are in the process of straightening their smile. Over time, the aligners will apply pressure to their teeth and encourage them to shift into a more desirable position. The result of Invisalign treatment is the same straightened smile without all of the self-consciousness that comes from the metallic aesthetics of traditional braces.
3. Less Time In The Dental Chair
After school hours are limited. With study halls, extracurriculars, or even part-time jobs, visiting the dentist’s office is often the last thing your teen wants to do once they get out of class. With traditional braces, in order for treatment to continue as planned, your teen would need to visit the orthodontist’s office every few weeks to have their wires tightened. However, with Invisalign, your teen will be given their aligners upfront to help them avoid spending unnecessary amounts of time in the dental chair. While some check-up appointments will need to be scheduled, this will still be significantly less time spent in the dental chair compared to traditional braces.
If you or your teen are interested in pursuing Invisalign treatment, schedule a cosmetic consultation with Dr. Robert Gauthier. We look forward to seeing you soon!