March 19, 2019
Many parents know about Invisalign®, the virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without metal braces that we now have over 20 years of experience providing for all patients. But we’re often asked for more information about Invisalign® Teen– a treatment option we have offered since 2008.
Our doctors, Drs. Greg Woodfin and Sal Cabassa have over 50 years of combined experience in the orthodontic field – one of the highest of any practice along the Gulf Coast area. With all of our team’s experience as Premier Invisalign Providers, we are happy to offer the answers to the top common questions that we’re asked about Invisalign Teen. It is a high priority to us that our patients are educated on what we’re doing every step of the way so that they understand their treatment plans and feel comfortable with our process and timelines – that goes for teens and parents! We hope you find these answers helpful!
What’s Invisalign Teen?
In short, rather than wires and brackets, Invisalign® Teen uses a series of clear, removable aligners that have been custom-made for your teen’s teeth, a result of precise images we take with the sophisticated iTero Scanner. Your teen simply wears these aligners over their teeth and changes them out for a new set of aligners periodically—most often every two weeks. Little by little, your teen’s teeth gradually shift into place.
Can Invisalign Teen be as effective as wearing traditional braces?
When worn according to the customized plan we set in place, Invisalign Teen can be as effective as traditional braces. The chances are very high your teen will be a candidate for Invisalign as it can treat many of the common issues we see.
What are some of the responsibilities of wearing Invisalign Teen?
It’s very important that aligners are worn the majority of the day. Compliance and cooperation is critical to any orthodontic care but especially Invisalign. Invisalign Teen is most effective when worn 20 to 22 hours per day and changed approximately every two weeks. In fact, Invisalign Teen aligners have blue indicators that fade over time when used as directed so we can track compliance.
What sets us apart?
Our team wants to help boost all teen’s confidence! Research shows that parents underestimate the extent to which teens feel self-conscious about their smile—and their appearance in general. Wearing braces can often make this lack of confidence even worse. Invisalign Teen removes a potential source of anxiety, giving them more confidence during what can be a challenging time in their lives. Our team will support your teen throughout their treatment while educating them on the importance of following all of the steps that are included in the treatment process. Although this approach is not for every situation, we feel it should be considered when making your choices for teen, as well as adult, orthodontic treatment.
At Woodfin & Cabassa Orthodontics, we pay personal attention to every patient and make sure our patients are educated on what we’re doing every step of the way. You’ll never feel out of the loop or pressured into any decisions at our practice. We take the time to make sure our treatment plans are clear and we work hard to get excellent results for every single patient and their family.