4 million people wear braces in the United States. The vast majority of them are children and teenagers.
That’s right, millions of young people around the country are having their dental issues solved with braces.
But getting them is still a tough call. After all, braces often stay on for years, can be a daunting aesthetic prospect, and can cost thousands of dollars in the process.
Enter Invisalign.
These invisible braces might seem like an ideal solution. Indeed, your child may already have asked for this modern orthodontic solution. However, there are still important things to consider.
Read on for 5 things to consider about Invisalign teen usage.
5 Things to Consider About Invisalign Teen Usage
Your child needs braces and is determined to get Invisalign. Here are 5 considerations before you commit.
1. The Severity of the Problem
Invisalign can solve almost any dental problem these days.
Underbites, overbites, open bites, crossbites, gaps, and crowding are all covered. That’s good news. Mild problems aren’t a concern.
However, there are times when severe orthodontic problems will require the old-style metal braces. Speak to your orthodontist to see what’s most appropriate.
2. The Expense
You’ve got your parent hat on.
You know your child wants Invisalign to correct their teeth. And you want them to be happy. But can you afford them?
You’ve heard they’re desperately expensive compared to traditional braces.
Thankfully, you heard wrong. Back in the day, Invisalign did indeed cost more. However, that’s not the case these days. The prices, especially with insurance cover, are definitely comparable.
3. The Potential Loss
Children have a habit of losing things.
Although it’s harder to lose something that’s inside your mouth, it happens. Indeed, it’s most common when aligners are taken out to eat or play sports. They get put down, never to reappear.
It’s an annoyance, and it’s best if it doesn’t happen. However, you can always get a replacement. Equally, the time scale might mean it’s fine simply to move to the next set of aligners anyway.
4. The Time Commitment
If you’re going to invest in Invisalign for your teen, then make sure they can commit.
After all, it’s recommended that people wear their aligners for 22 hours every day. Obviously, that’s a lot of time to have something in your mouth when you know you can take them off.
5. The Benefits
Invisalign doesn’t just offer invisible braces.
They offer the ability for a teenager to correct their teeth without the stigma involved. It’s common for metal braces to knock a teen’s self-confidence. That’s not an issue when there’s nothing to see.
Likewise, teeth remain easy to clean versus traditional braces.
Time to Wrap Up
There you have it: 5 things parents need to consider about Invisalign Teen.
Go to playgrounds around the country and you’ll see braces everywhere. More children than ever are wearing braces now.
However, Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional metal braces. With the choice between invisible and metal, invisible tends to win.
But, as we’ve seen, there are certain things for parents to consider first. Hopefully, the information here has highlighted the main ones!
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