Braces aren’t fun for anyone, least of all teenagers. When we were growing up, metal braces were the only option available to us, but now there are plenty of much more preferable orthodontic options. Invisalign is a fabulous way to straighten your teen’s teeth without putting them through the misery of metal braces. While metal braces used to be commonplace, today they are less and less popular, with many parents opting to use a clear aligner for their children. No visible braces mean less teasing, but it also means a lot of other great benefits. Here at Great Grins for KIDS - Portland in Portland, OR we want all of our patients to have a smile they can be proud of, especially when they are having their teeth straightened.

What is Invisalign?

Invisalign is series of clear plastic aligners that fit over the teeth and move them into the correct position over time in much the same way that braces do. We take a digital impression of your kid’s mouth and build a treatment plan for them around that impression. We use the impression to create a series of clear plastic trays that gradually move their teeth into the correct position. Once the first set of trays has moved their teeth as far as is possible, they graduate to the second set of trays. As they graduate from one set of trays to another, their teeth are shifted out of misalignment and into alignment.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost Compared to Braces?

One of the many misconceptions about Invisalign is that it’s much more costly than metal braces. In reality, the cost of Invisalign is only slightly more than that of metal or ceramic braces. Many times the dental insurance you have will cover the cost of Invisalign. In most cases, the cost of Invisalign is roughly the same as the cost of having traditional braces placed.

What Happens If My Teen Loses An Aligner?

While Invisalign aligners should be worn almost all day long, they should be taken out to eat and brush your teeth. During these very small windows, it is possible for aligners to become lost. If this happens to call us and let us know that one of their aligners have gone missing. We will be happy to craft a new one for you. It is possible that when their aligner goes missing, they are close to a transition to the new set, in which case we might opt to move them to the next set of aligners prematurely.

How Many Hours a Day Does My Teen Need to Wear Invisalign?

For Invisalign to work properly, it must be worn at least twenty-two hours per day. They should only be removed while your teen eats or cleans their teeth. There are some activities that require the removal of the aligners during the day, like sports or band, which is fine. As long as the aligners are being worn for at least twenty-two hours a day.

Are There Diet Restrictions With Invisalign?

One of the best parts about Invisalign is it doesn’t have all of the strange diet restrictions that traditional braces do. Because your teen can remove the orthodontic appliance to eat and clean their teeth, they can eat whatever they like!