Invisalign® for TeensNew York, NY
A common memory that many people may share is the mixture of fear and annoyance they felt at hearing they would need to wear braces for teeth straightening treatment. While traditional braces have come a long way with technological advancements, many patients, teens and adults, desire something that is more discreet. Fortunately, we can help by offering patients Invisalign®.
A common solution for adults to straighten teeth, Invisalign for teens allows younger patients to correct the alignment of their teeth without the need for wires and brackets on their teeth. At Zarabi Orthodontics, we provide teens with the discreet clear aligner trays of Invisalign so they can enjoy the benefits of this see-through customized teeth straightening option that is removable.
If you have a teenager who needs orthodontic treatment to straighten their teeth, call us to learn about Invisalign for teens.
Invisalign® vs. Metal Braces
At Zarabi Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign for teens so that your teen can straighten his or her teeth without anyone noticing. If your teen wants to improve his or her teeth, this is an excellent way to do so. When evaluating Invisalign vs. metal braces, there are several things that you should know.
Not Your Typical Teeth-Straightening Treatment
Metal braces are a reliable solution for straightening teeth and have been used by people for decades. In fact, most parents used metal braces when they were teenagers. Metal braces involve having a metal bracket placed on each tooth with a wire threaded between them and secured with rubber bands. While some kids may find enjoyment in selecting a color of rubber band for the current holiday, that may not be an idea of fun for your teen. Fortunately, there is another option besides metal braces.
Invisalign is different. This is an excellent orthodontics treatment for teens that want to straighten their teeth without standing out. Most people will not notice that your teen is wearing anything because the aligners are completely clear. Your teen can smile brightly without worrying about appearance. In fact, as the aligners move your teen’s teeth into position, his or her smile will start to look better. Another plus is that your teen does not have to wait until the end of the treatment to notice a difference in appearance. When considering Invisalign or metal braces, sit down and talk with your teen about the options for his or her orthodontics treatment.
Clear Braces
Patients throughout the New York area frequently ask us about clear braces. Clear braces are another excellent alternative to traditional metal braces. As with Invisalign, it will be difficult for anyone to notice that your teen is wearing braces. When you schedule a consultation with Dr. David Zarabi, we will examine your teen’s teeth and take X-Rays. Once we have the necessary information, we will determine what the most effective treatment method will be for straightening your teen’s teeth. The term clear braces can also refer to traditional braces made out of a ceramic material that is tooth-colored. When getting clear braces, your teen’s teeth will be moved into the correct position as we monitor the progress and jaw. If your teen does have a misaligned jaw, as is common with an overbite, then that will need to be corrected as well. If left untreated, your teen will not have the perfect smile that he or she is looking for and will be at a greater risk for infection. At Zarabi Orthodontics, we create customized treatment plans for the needs of each patient. With this in mind, we will provide the information you need in order to decide if clear braces are the best option for your teen. If you live in the local area, call (212) 753-1811 to schedule your consultation and ask about clear braces for Teens.
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How is Invisalign different for adults vs teens
The process for straightening teeth is fairly similar. When asking how Invisalign is different for adults vs. teens, the answer is simple – it is not. Invisalign straightens teeth by using a series of clear plastic aligners. These aligners look like a clear retainer and are nearly invisible so that no one will know that your teen is wearing them. Every two weeks or so, your teen switches out the aligners with a new one in the series.Each time your teen does so, the teeth move that much closer to becoming straight. We help teens and adults throughout the local area improve their smile. The first step is to ask questions about what the patient desires for a perfect smile. This is not small talk, but an important conversation. If for example, you teen plays a wind instrument in a band, wearing traditional metal braces may be extremely uncomfortable. With Invisalign, this is not an issue. Dr. David Zarabi understands your teen’s needs and is equipped to make the right treatment recommendation.
At Zarabi Orthodontics, we treat teens and adults, using Invisalign to transform smiles. Perhaps the biggest difference between treating adults and teens is that teenagers have a lot more going on. While adults are busy with work and family obligations, there is little involvement in extracurricular activities similar to what teens participate in. Teens are usually busy running around and hanging out with friends. With this in mind, the aligner is removable and can be taken out. Both teens and adults do not have to let the aligner slow them down. The more the aligner is removed, the greater chance of a delay in treatment time slightly. Regardless of this factor, Invalign will make it possible to have fun without worrying about your teen’s teeth.
Advantages of Invisalign compared to traditional braces
As an Invisalign Orthodontist in New York, New York we understand that there are many advantages of Invisalign compared to traditional braces. The main similarity between Invisalign and metal braces is that both products straighten your teen’s teeth. While there is nothing wrong with metal braces, alternative options can make life easier. When your teen wears braces, everyone can tell that your teen is straightening his or her teeth. Metal braces can also make it difficult to eat, brush teeth, play sports and play an instrument without feeling uncomfortable. Many teens are embarrassed to grab a hamburger for fear that the food will become stuck in braces and make them look funny. This is a legitimate fear, but with Invisalign for teens your teen does not have to worry about it. Your teen can take the aligners out when eating, to limit the risk of food becoming stuck and the chance of becoming embarrassed.
Dr. David Zarabi also recommends that patients take out their aligner when playing sports. The precaution allows teens to play without worrying about the aligner coming loose or feeling a need to protect his or her teeth. At Zarabi Orthodontics, we also suggest that patients take out their aligner when playing an instrument, singing in the choir or other activities where it could cause discomfort.
The advantage of Invisalign, compared to traditional braces, is that your teen does not have to slow down. Your teen can straighten his or her teeth and still hang out with friends, smile boldly in pictures and eat all of his or her favorite foods. When your teen wears traditional braces, he or she has to think about the teeth constantly. With Invisalign, your teen has the freedom to enjoy life and live it without restriction. Teens in New York have enough things to worry about, their teeth should not be one of them.
What Invisalign can do for Teens
When it comes to straightening teeth, teens are less than likely to show excitement over having metal brackets on their teeth. With Invisalign for teens, they do not have to fear the treatment impacting their overall appearance. This customized treatment can help straighten a teen’s teeth discreetly and efficiently. Other reasons teens may enjoy Invisalign treatment over alternative options include:
Teens do not have to worry about having the aligners show up in school photos. They can also remove the aligner trays while playing sports, giving presentations or going to a dance. One of the popular benefits of Invisalign is that teens can eat their favorite foods without issue.
Unlike traditional treatment, Invisalign allows the patient to continue their regular with minor changes to their oral hygiene routine. By scanning the teen’s teeth, Invisalign will customize a series of aligners to gradually shift the teen’s teeth. The teen will wear one set of aligners for two weeks or longer before switching to the next one.
Signs Your teen may need Invisalign
Straightening one’s teeth are for more than just appearance. Straight teeth are healthier and easier to clean. Crooked teeth or an overcrowded mouth can have difficult-to-reach crevices or places that trap bits of food and plaque. As an orthodontist, we can identify the various types of oral health issues the patient is struggling with and recommend treatment.
Signs that a teen may benefit from the Invisalign treatment include:
Overcrowding is the result of too many permanent adult teeth being present in the mouth. The extra teeth can push the other teeth out of position, causing pain and crooked teeth. Bite issues can also cause discomfort that will only increase the risk of oral health issues in the future. By seeking professional orthodontic treatment, teen patients can grow up with straight teeth.
Proper Care of Invisalign
When it comes to Invisalign treatment, it is important to note that it requires a higher level of responsibility than other teeth straightening treatments. While the aligners are removable when eating, teens need to brush their teeth after consuming food and remember where they placed the aligner trays. While teens are well on their way to adulthood, not all teens are as responsible as some adults.
When using Invisalign, teens need to:
Taking care of Invisalign aligners may not be too complicated, but it does require regular brushing and flossing the teeth. One of the main reasons for this is that any bits of food caught between teeth will be noticeable through the clear aligners. As an orthodontist, we will schedule regular checkups to help patients keep their teeth clean. Teens need to clean their teeth before bed since any plaque on the teeth will be trapped by the aligner and fester overnight.
The longer a teen keeps the aligners out of their mouth, the longer the treatment will take. With that in mind, it is ideal to wear the aligners for at least 22 hours each day. If you are interested in learning more about Invisalign for teens for your child, contact us to learn more or schedule an appointment today.
For more information on Invisalign Teen or to schedule a consultation, call 212-753-1811. Call today so you can have a beautiful smile tomorrow.
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