We’re lucky to have many options for orthodontic treatment now, but each person needs to carefully weigh the pros and cons of different treatment platforms, whether traditional metal braces or a newer treatment. You want to take your lifestyle, schedule, and preferences into consideration.
If you’re the parent of a teen, you may have been considering orthodontic treatment for a while, and we’re glad you’re here. We offer great choices for your teen to consider, and one of the most popular is Invisalign® treatment.
Dr. Wayne Hickory and the caring Embassy Row Orthodontics team guide you and your teen through the braces decision-making process and we’re happy to answer questions as you think about which treatment option will be the right one for your teen.
Invisalign is a game-changing orthodontic treatment that involves using removable clear plastic aligners, or trays, that you can put in your mouth yourself. This treatment doesn’t involve any type of braces. In other words, your teen can say goodbye to archwires, brackets, elastics, and all the rest!
The aligners that the treatment is known for gently and gradually guide the teeth into position, addressing bite issues, crowding, and other problems.
Initially, we photograph your teen’s teeth and digitally scan them so we can produce a 3D rendering of their mouth. This enables Dr. Hickory to chart out the detailed treatment plan for their teeth, and he’s able to let them see what their smile will look like after treatment — how cool is that?
Invisalign treatment is quite popular with teens for good reason. Four benefits our younger patients often cite about Invisalign are:
Teens love the fact that Invisalign aligners are transparent and almost invisible. Unlike traditional braces, no one knows you’re wearing them and you never have to worry about feeling like a “metal mouth!”
Metal braces need to be tightened regularly, and when you start your treatment, it takes a while to get used to the feeling of braces. There’s also mouth and cheek pain when they’re first put on, as well as after tightening visits.
Additionally, we know teens juggle studies, extracurriculars, and more, and there are less visits to our office required overall with Invisalign. Typically you only have to see us in-person once every three months. Plus, Invisalign treatment doesn’t interfere with sports or playing a musical instrument.
Most people associate braces with saying farewell to chewy foods like candy and gum, hard and crunchy foods, such as popcorn, nuts, and jerky, and foods you take big bites out of, like apples and corn on the cob.
With Invisalign, there are no such limitations. You wear your aligners 20-22 hours a day, but you can remove them when you eat and drink. How’s that for freedom?
With Invisalign treatment, you’re done after about a year, depending on your treatment plan, whereas traditional braces treatment can take anywhere from one to three years. In addition to Invisalign generally requiring a shorter duration of treatment, accelerated treatment is an option at Embassy Row, too.
Don’t put off visiting us for a conversation with you and your teen about the benefits of Invisalign. We’re happy to answer all your questions and chart your path.
Call us at 202-342-9600, or book an online consultation.
