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INVISALIGN FOR TEENâ„¢ IN ARLINGTON, VA

Invisalign Designed for Teens!

WE ARE A CERTIFIED INVISALIGN® PROVIDER.

For many years, traditional metal braces were the most common way to treat crooked teeth, gapped teeth, underbite, and overbite. However, in the late 1990s, Invisalign came onto the scene and revolutionized the world of orthodontics. Invisalign uses clear tray aligners made of special plastic and manufactured based on molds of your mouth. The plastic puts pressure on certain parts of your teeth, gradually shifting them into the appropriate position. Invisalign is not an appropriate treatment if your teen still has baby teeth.

In order to determine if Invisalign clear aligners are an appropriate treatment for your teen, you will need to schedule a consultation with Dr. Layth Gahnim at Arlington Dental Excellence. He will examine your teen's smile, take x-rays and impressions of their mouth, and evaluate their overall health. Invisalign will use the impressions to make the aligners to fit your teen's mouth. Dr. Gahnim will build a custom treatment plan and will ensure that you and your teen get the best results.

While it's true that Invisalign clear aligners are a solid piece of plastic, similar to a retainer, they are considered braces because they actively shift teeth into their appropriate position. Once treatment is complete, a retainer is used to hold the teeth in their new position.

Why Choose Arlington Dental Excellence for Invisalign Teenâ„¢?

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Difference between Invisalign for Teens and Invisalign for Adults

You may be wondering if there is really a difference between Invisalign for teens and Invisalign for adults. The primary difference is that Invisalign for teens has a series of blue dots. If you're concerned about whether your teen is wearing their aligners as prescribed, you can get aligners with blue dots. As the aligners are worn, the blue dots fade.

While this isn't a perfect method, it does help. If you notice that the blue dots on a set of aligners they've had for a while are still bright, it's an indication that they are not wearing them like they are supposed to. This can also help prevent switching to a new set of aligners before your teen is ready.

Invisalign versus Traditional Braces

Invisalign and traditional braces are appropriate treatment options for fixing misaligned teeth, it's important to ask the following questions to determine which one is best for your teen:

Of course, you should also consider what your teen's dentist has to say about the most appropriate treatment option for your teen. If your teen requires extensive work, traditional braces may be the better option. In fact, research indicates that Invisalign is not the ideal treatment for complex malocclusions.

Benefits Associated with Invisalign for Teens

Some of the benefits of Invisalign for teens are as follows:
Better Oral Hygiene
Since the aligners are removable, and there are no wires and brackets to maneuver around, it's easier for your teen to brush and floss. Typically, better oral hygiene equals fewer cavities.
Improved Confidence
Many times, when teens have traditional metal braces, their confidence suffers. Invisalign is less noticeable, so your teen may not feel like everyone is watching them. This benefits their mental and emotional health.
Less IrritatioN
If you've ever had traditional braces or know someone who has, you know that they can cause sore spots where brackets and wires rub against the inside of lips and cheeks. This doesn't happen with Invisalign, since they are clear trays- there are no wires or brackets to worry about.
Fewer Emergencies
The wires and brackets with traditional metal braces can crack and break. Invisalign doesn't have the wires and brackets, so you don't have to worry about getting your teen in for an emergency appointment to fix something that is broken.

Precautions Associated with Invisalign for Teens

Some of the precautions associated with Invisalign for Teens includes the following:
Mixed Results
Some studies indicate that Invisalign clear aligners are just as good, if not better than traditional metal braces or other orthodontic treatments for straightening malocclusions in teens. On the other hand, there are studies indicating that there are other options that are better than Invisalign. This is an important fact to consider- discuss your teen's options at their consultation with Dr. Gahnim.
Requires Teen to be Compliant
If you do not think your teen would be compliant with wearing the aligners as directed, this may not be the best option. Ideally, aligners should be worn around 22 hours per day in order to see results. They can be taken out to eat/drink or brush/floss and clean the aligners themselves. However, they must be put back in because if your teen isn't wearing them, they can't do their job.
Requires Teen to be Responsible
If you spend thousands of dollars on Invisalign treatment for your teen, you expect them to take care of their aligners. However, since the trays are removable, your teen must be responsible and not leave them on their lunch tray to be tossed in the trash. You should consider how responsible your teen can be.
May Not be Covered by Insurance
Most dental insurance plans will cover at least a portion of traditional metal braces. Some will also cover a portion of Invisalign treatment. Before you move forward, you will want to verify what your insurance covers and doesn't cover and then come up with a plan for your out-of-pocket costs.

Ideal Candidate For Invisalign Clear Aligners For Teens

If Dr. Gahnim determines that your teen may benefit from traditional braces or Invisalign, it may come down to their preference. You will want to consider your teen's mental health and whether they might feel better about Invisalign since it's almost invisible or if they would be fine with metal braces. In addition, you'll want to consider whether or not your teen can keep up with the aligners and wear them as directed.

Research indicates that adults are more likely to choose Invisalign than teens. One study noted that many young people prefer colored ties, which are plastic pieces that go on the brackets of metal braces. Don't make the assumption that your teen would prefer Invisalign- ask them how they feel about it.

Cost Of Invisalign For Teens

In most markets, the cost of Invisalign for Teens is about the same as that for traditional braces. The national average is $3,000 to $5,000, while traditional braces are between $2,000 to $6,000. The cost varies based on several factors, including length of treatment and complexity of malocclusion.

Also, it's important to note that not all insurance plans offer coverage for Invisalign, so you may need to find another way to pay for it. If you have a Health Savings Account or a Flexible Spending Account, you may be able to use that to cover the cost.

Aftercare

Even after your teen is done with Invisalign treatment, they will still need to wear a retainer to keep their teeth in the new position. The retainer should be worn every day for a prescribed amount of time and then, your teen will be able to start wearing them only at night. On average, retainers are $100 to $500 per retainer.

Schedule Your Consultation Today

  • Overly crowded teeth
  • Widely spaced teeth
  • Crossbite
  • Overbite
  • Underbite

Dr. Layth Ghanim handles the Invisalign cases at Arlington Dental Excellence. He has more than 38 years of experience in the field of dentistry and strives to provide his patients with the best dental care in a cozy, high-tech environment. He treats his patients like family. Over the years, he has become an expert in cosmetic dentistry, implant restorations, dental veneers, Invisalign, and so much more. Contact Arlington Dental Excellence today and schedule your teen's consultation to determine if Invisalign is an appropriate treatment option.

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