How Invisalign Teen Differs from Invisalign for Adults

invisalign teen

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

By now you have probably heard a lot about Invisalign aligners for orthodontic treatment. They have become a safe, effective and affordable alternative to metal braces. But what you might not realize is that there are different types of Invisalign treatments to choose from.

First of all, Invisalign treatment in general involves wearing clear plastic aligners to shift your teeth into proper alignment instead of using brackets and wires. The patient is required to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours every day or the treatment won’t be as effective. With Invisalign aligners, only a few teeth are moved at one time and you will receive a new set of aligners every couple of weeks.

Here are some of the ways Invisalign Teen differs from Invisalign for Adults here:

Invisalign Teen: Designed with the Teenager in Mind

Invisalign Teen is designed with the teenager in mind. Remembering to put the aligners back in after eating or drinking can sometimes be difficult for teens so that is with Invisalign Teen Philadelphia, the aligners have a blue indicator button that will keep track of how many hours the aligners were worn that day.

Invisalign aligners are great for the teenage set because there is no embarrassing metal in their mouth and because the aligners are easily removed they can eat whatever they want and it is a lot easier to keep their aligners and their teeth clean. More and more teenagers are preferring Invisalign treatment to any other.

Invisalign for Adults: It is Never to Late to Fix Your Smile

Invisalign for Adults is very similar to Invisalign Teen except their aligners do not have the blue usage indicator. But what is really important to consider when thinking about Invisalign treatment as an adult is that it is never too late to fix your smile.

With people living longer and want to look their best and be healthy, and because they now have their own money to spend, more and more adults are choosing to get orthodontic treatment. And Invisalign aligners are a popular choice because they are less noticeable than metal braces and there are less restrictions with them.

Patient even in their 60s and 70s re choosing to get orthodontic care. If you have strong healthy teeth that are just crooked then it doesn’t matter what your age is, braces or Invisalign aligners can help you achieve that straighter smile. If however you have dental issues like periodontal disease or tooth decay or missing teeth then you will need to have these corrected before your orthodontic treatment can begin.

Other things you should keep in mind if getting braces as an adult:

  • Because all of our bones have stopped growing by the time we are adults, there might be some structural changes that cannot be achieved with just braces. Sometimes minor oral surgery might be required as well.
  • Your orthodontist might recommend that you see a periodontist as well as your general dentist while wearing braces to make sure there is no bone loss occurring because of gum disease.

Despite these additional concerns, getting your braces as an adult actually has some additional benefits. For one thing, as an adult, it is probably much more affordable because you have your own income and credit to use.

Also as an adult, you have complete say in what kinds of treatment you get. Think how good it will feel to be able to do this for yourself. How much happier and healthier you will be.

What Invisalign Teen and Invisalign for Adults have common is the great results including:

  • Better dental checkups. When your teeth are crooked teeth, it very hard to get all the plaque and food stuck between your teeth. You might be struggling with trying to keep your mouth clean and this is a problem that will expound with time. Plaque when it builds up can lead to gum disease which will lead to lost teeth at an early age.
  • A healthier you. Bad teeth is not just an aesthetic problem. Research has proven that tooth decay and gum disease are intricately linked with other diseases like heart disease.
  • Get your confidence back. If you struggle with self-esteem issues because of crooked teeth or misaligned jaws, but you don’t like the idea of wearing metal braces for two years either, then Invisalign is perfect for you. The plastic aligners are clear so most people won’t even know you are wearing them and at the end of the treatment you will have a beautiful smile. Think about how much more confident you will feel.
  • More comfort and convenience. Invisalign aligners are more comfortable and convenient to wear because they are easy to take off and can be taken off when you are eating and when you are brushing and flossing. This makes it so much easier to get at all the food that gets stuck in the teeth. Also, with Invisalign, there are no wires that could potentially cause irritation and scratches to the insides of your teen’s cheek. The plastic used in Invisalign is very smooth and round so there are no edges that can cause irritation in the mouth.

Whether you are searching for an orthodontist who offers Invisalign Teen or Invisalign for Adults, when starting your research for an orthodontist, make sure you research their credentials, experiences and their specialty treatments before making a final decision. Ask which treatment options they prefer. If you are leaning more to Invisalign than to traditional metal braces, then you will want an orthodontist who has a lot of experience in this type of treatment. Weigh the pros and cons of each treatment option carefully.

Most orthodontists offer you a free initial consultation. Take advantage of it so you can get a better feel if it is the right practice for you. You will also get a better sense of what types of treatment are recommended for your particular situation.

For more information about adult orthodontics call Orthodontics Limited today.

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