Invisible Braces for Teens

November 3rd, 2009 by Mark Mutschler

Invisalign allows teens to straighten their teeth without having to show any metal.  These are particularly good for spaced teeth.

This week, a patient from Gresham asked me what would be best for closing his spaced front teeth.

I told him that the Invisalign trays would cover up the spaces as soon as he put them in and make them look much smaller.

Advantages of Invisalign treatment:

• nearly invisible
• smooth against tongue and inside of lips
• pre-programed so steady and predictable progress
• hides spaces between teeth
• easy to clean teeth and gums
• protects teeth from trauma

Disadvantages of Invisalign treatment:

• requires teeth to be fully erupted
• must have good patient cooperation
• some tooth movements are difficult
• can be lost or broken
• cannot get fun colors like other kids

Overall, I choose Invisalign for teens who have their second molars fully erupted and whose teeth are not too far out of alignment and whose jaws are fairly close to ideal.

My Gresham patient was just twelve and his upper second molars were not fully erupted so we decided to wait four months before starting the Invisalign treatment.

He did not mind waiting because the treatment would go quickly once we started and appearance of the braces would not be a problem.

The ability to immediately help cover the gaps between his front teeth was very attractive to him and he is looking forward to starting  treatment when next he returns.

Tags: Esthestics, Gresham, orthodontic

No comments yet.

Leave a comment