Invisalign® Teen Orthodontics in Lancaster, PA

Teenagers can feel quite sensitive about their physical appearance so traditional metal braces might not work the best for their desires and orthodontic needs. That is why our pediatric dentists provide Invisalign Teen clear aligners for younger patients in Lancaster, PA. Similar to the adult version, Invisalign Teen orthodontics can efficiently and safely correct the position and alignment of a patient's teeth within 1 – 2 years with removable aligners. Unlike the regular version, Invisalign Teen orthodontics has eruption tabs, compliance indicators, and substitute aligners. If your teenager is worried about metal braces, then schedule a consultation at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates in Lancaster, PA to get more information about the Invisalign Teen treatment.

How is Invisalign Teen orthodontics different than regular Invisalign orthodontics? A number of patients are worried about giving their teenagers responsibility for costly aligners during orthodontic therapy. It is a huge investment in money and time. However, our team is aware of these factors with teenagers. Because of these issues, the Invisalign Teen treatment includes three specific features that ensure your adolescent ends up with a straight smile:

• Compliance indicators: There is a spot on the back portion of the aligners that wears off with usage. We can tell if your teen isn't using the aligners enough or if he or she is wearing them at all. This can help keep the younger patients accountable for using their aligners 20 – 22 hours daily and keep them on schedule. Non-compliance issues mean your adolescent will be in therapy for a longer amount of time.
• Eruption tabs: The manufacturers of Invisalign Teen orthodontics understand that not all teenage patients will have their third molars or "wisdom teeth." They've created the aligners with eruption tabs to leave space for the final molars. This is so they can grow in the correct location without overcrowding the other teeth. The standard Invisalign treatment doesn't have this feature.
• Extra replacement aligners: We plan for accidents and missing aligners by building six replacement aligners in your teen's treatment plan. Accidents happen, and we can misplace items sometimes so please contact our office in Lancaster, PA if you have any issues or need a replacement.

Younger patients with conditions, such as crooked teeth, an overbite, crowded teeth, or gap issues, are the best candidates for Invisalign Teen clear aligners at Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates. Invisalign Teen orthodontics is especially beneficial for teens who participate in sports or the arts. Metal braces have the potential to cause damage during contact sports or can even make it difficult to play an instrument. We will perform a thorough assessment and explore all of the orthodontic treatments that might work best for your daughter or son.

You and your teenager will have a consultation with one of our expert Lancaster, PA dentists to:

• Discuss treatment goals
• Learn how your teen feels about having an orthodontic appliance
• Understand what to expect during the treatment period

Normally, this treatment takes about 1 – 2 years, but this will vary with each patient. To begin the treatment, we will take several x-rays from different angles and make an impression of the upper and lower teeth. We use the impressions to make the acrylic aligners, which our team customizes to fit your teenager's mouth.

Patients will have follow-up visits every 2 – 4 weeks. At these visits, we substitute their aligners, examine their progress, and check how well they are using them. The Invisalign Teen treatment has compliance indicators, which will inform us if your teenager is wearing the aligners every day. The indicators will hold your teen accountable for wearing their aligners for most of their day (20 – 22 hours). Keep in mind, your teenager will have the ability to brush and floss without the barrier of metal braces. Your teen will need to remove the trays before eating, and it is a good habit to make sure the teeth are clean before putting the aligners back into position.

Invisalign Teen orthodontic treatments may be covered in part by dental insurance. Our staff can get in touch with your provider to determine your coverage and figure out your out-of-pocket costs. If you are not using insurance, we can go over payment methods we take, such as medical financing.

Are there any diet restrictions with Invisalign teen?
Because Invisalign clear teeth aligners for teens are removable, there are no dietary restrictions! Teens can remove their clear aligners while eating. While you don't have to remove your clear aligners to drink plain water, removing them when drinking hot beverages is recommended because the heat can warp the plastic and effect the fit.

Are there any sport or atheltic restrictions with Invisalign teen?
We understand the life of a teenager can be fast-paced and busy. With Invisalign removable aligners, there are no atheltic restrictions because the clear aligners can be easily removed when needed! If you are seeking an Invisalign dentist for your teen, contact our Lancaster, PA office to schedule a consultation.

How do we keep the clear aligners clean?
Invisalign clear aligners should be cleaned daily. They can easily be cleaned by running them under warm water while brushing them gently. When not in use, we recommend keeping the clear aligners in their case to help keep them in great shape.

Many teenagers want a picture-perfect smile; however, they may feel uneasy about traditional orthodontics, like metal braces. At Lancaster Pediatric Dental Associates, we will walk our teenage patients through the procedure and talk about how Invisalign Teen clear aligners can help them achieve a gorgeous and healthy smile. Please contact our office in Lancaster, PA to schedule an appointment with one of our pediatric dentists.