Teens are typically fickle — most interested in the latest Tik Tok challenge, emerging band, or another trend. One thing they seem to agree on, however, is Invisalign®, an orthodontic treatment platform that has transformed the field since its debut.
Adolescence is also a tender time when kids want to fit in and anything that makes them look different — like braces, for instance — can seem like a burden they’ll want to avoid.
Dr. Wayne Hickory and the caring Embassy Row Orthodontics team have seen it repeatedly. A teen will come in with trepidation about orthodontic treatment but leave excited about their future smile when they learn about Invisalign.
Though several types of braces are available now, metal braces are usually what we think of when we picture smiles getting adjusted. When a teen gets metal braces, they are fitted with brackets and wires, with small elastic bands that ensure the archwire stays in place.
Rather than using wires and brackets to correct bite problems and other issues, Invisalign treatment involves wearing transparent plastic aligners customized to fit snugly over your teen’s teeth.
If your teen opts for Invisalign, they come to our office so Dr. Hickory can photograph and digitally scan their teeth to produce a three-dimensional rendering. These tools enable Dr. Hickory to dive deep and determine the precise movement of each tooth during your teen’s course of treatment. He can even show you how your teen’s smile will look after Invisalign treatment! Pretty exciting stuff.
Unlike traditional braces, your teen doesn’t wear their clear aligners 24-7. They wear them 20-22 hours per day and can take them off to eat and drink and when they brush and floss their teeth. This does away with all the forbidden food lists and increased chances for decay that accompany getting treated with braces.
Every two weeks, we fit your teen with a new set of slightly different aligners, allowing gradual and gentle tooth shifting during treatment.
Teens love Invisalign for a host of reasons, and you will too:
Invisalign can treat children as young as seven years old, so this treatment may enable your teen to skip braces during adolescence entirely, depending on their circumstances and treatment needs.
A bonus for parents is that you can feel confident about choosing Dr. Hickory to care for your teen because his innovative approach made him one of the earliest providers to embrace Invisalign. In fact, he has treated over 6,000 patients.
Interested in learning if your teen Invisalign is right for your teen? Book a complimentary consultation with us by calling 202-342-9600 or arrange one online.
