Invisalign Teen® is a non-intrusive alternative to traditional braces to correct tooth alignment. Using almost invisible, sequential tray aligners, Invisalign Teen works to gently shift teeth into alignment. Regular Invisalign is celebrating 25 years of creating great smiles, with more than 12 million smile transformations. Invisalign Teen hit the teen scene in 2008 to address the specific issues of straightening teen smiles.
Invisalign Teen treatment begins with a free consultation. The doctor will check X-rays, make a digital 3D “map” of your mouth, and get a hands-on look with a complete oral examination. Using this information, and some high-tech computer programming, the doctor will develop a custom treatment plan for you. Then the doctor will discuss each step of the process.
Invisalign Teen uses the same system of gentle pressure as adult Invisalign. The pressure created by the tray aligners pushes teeth into proper alignment. To work effectively, You must wear the trays for 20 to 22 hours each day. When you begin treatment and at each check up appointment, you will get a sequential series of alignment trays. You will have instructions stating what interval you will shift into the next set in the sequence. Most treatment plans shift to a new tray set about every two weeks, your treatment plan may specify a weekly shift.
All the same features are available with Invisalign Teen, including the exact same SmartTrack® material as regular Invisalign. Each tray set is custom fit for you. The process uses complex digital intraoral scanning equipment (the iTero® scanner) and ClinCheck® software. This astonishing technology allows the doctor to quickly and efficiently create custom treatment plans. They can map out the treatment plan and even show you a finished smile portrait.
Every treatment plan is different because every smile is unique. There are several factors that come into play when determining how long your treatment plan will be, including:
Invisalign treatment can be as short as three to six months with minor alignment corrections. For most patients, an average treatment plan ranges from 12 to 18 months. Treatments can take as long as 24 to 36 months in complex cases.
When Invisalign was originally introduced, it was effective at correcting minor alignment issues. Since then, Align Technology is continuously working to improve the process. Now, after almost 25 years, there are very few alignment issues that Invisalign cannot correct.
Invisalign has been very effective in correcting the following issues, whether minor or complex.
An overbite occurs when the upper teeth close over the bottom teeth. Although this is a common condition and many doctors will leave it untreated, when a severe overbite, known as a deep bite, is present, corrective action should be taken.
When the lower teeth close in front of the upper teeth the condition is called an underbite. This problem might be the result of incorrect jaw positioning. In very serious cases, orthognathic surgery may be required in addition to orthodontic correction measures.
With an underbite, chewing is difficult and speech may also be affected. The condition may cause quick erosion of teeth and additional orthodontic and dental problems. Invisalign can treat many cases of underbite, although more severe cases may also require other measures.
An uneven bite is called a crossbite when some of the teeth from the top sit inside the lower teeth when the mouth is closed.
This condition can cause uneven tooth wear and chipping. If left untreated, a crossbite can cause the gums to recede, which may lead to bone loss and gum problems. Invisalign can correct crossbite effectively in most cases.
Crowded teeth occur when the space in the jaw is too small to accommodate adult teeth. This can cause teeth to be crooked, twist, and grow in odd directions.
Crowded teeth are difficult to keep clean because the uneven surfaces are more difficult to brush and floss effectively. Poor oral hygiene can lead to decay and gum disease. Invisalign is a great solution to align crowded teeth.
When you have extra spacing between teeth, the condition is called gap teeth.
Gap teeth may cause problems because food can easily get caught in open spaces. This can cause sore gums and potentially lead to gum disease. This common problem is easily corrected with Invisalign treatment.
An open bite occurs when the top and bottom teeth do not meet with the mouth closed.
Having an open bite makes it difficult to chew and bite into food that requires the incisor’s cutting action. Speech may also be affected in creating sounds that require a closed mouth. Invisalign can correct an open bite to restore chewing and speaking.
