At Abbadent Dental and Implants, we offer Invisalign Teen® as a solution for straightening teeth. Parents may call our dental office looking for information, wondering if Invisalign® can sufficiently straighten their child’s teeth. Orthodontics is familiar and still effective but Invisalign® is relatively new and most parents never had access to this solution. If you are in this situation, the best way to find out about your child’s options is to call (563) 484-5202 and schedule an appointment. We are located in the 52003 area and are happy to answer any questions that you may have.
Can Invisalign Teen® actually straighten teeth?
Yes, it most definitely can. Teeth are moved using consistent pressure. With braces, the pressure is applied using metal
brackets and wires. Invisalign® uses a series of clear aligners that slip around the teeth like retainers. They work as
effectively as braces to solve mild to severe cases of crooked teeth and alignment issues. The key is that you must
bring your child to a dentist that is trained in how to administer the Invisalign® treatment.
Are they old enough?
In order for your teen to wear Invisalign® they need to have all of their permanent teeth. At Abbadent Dental and
Implants, we can examine them and let you know whether or not it is the right time to get started. Most of the time, Our
dentists will recommend Invisalign® starting in high school.
Is my teen responsible enough?
Any time that someone uses orthodontics to straighten their teeth, there is a level of responsibility necessary to
ensure that the process goes smoothly. In most cases, teenage patients are incredibly responsible and statistically,
most teens will wear their aligners for 21 hours a day. However, there are cases in which the teenage patient does not
wear the aligners properly and faces issues because of it. If your child tends to be more absent-minded than not,
traditional braces may be a better solution because they are permanently secured to the teeth and you only need to
remind them to brush and floss carefully. With Invisalign Teen®, there are significant conveniences that are associated
with this solution and the biggest ones come from the fact that the aligners are removable. Teens love this! They can
act, behave, look, and eat like normal because the aligners come out. At Abbadent Dental and Implants, we encourage this
convenient solution for our teenage and adult patients. However, knowing that something comes out, also means that they
have to remember to put it back in. That is where the responsibility piece comes into play. If they lose an aligner, it
can be replaced. The challenge is that if they simply forget to wear it, the process will not work. For this reason, it
is important to evaluate the responsibility level and overall personality of your child to determine if they are ready.
If you live in the Dubuque area, bring them in for a consultation. We can have a heart to heart, let them know what the
treatment entails and see if we can get them to commit to wearing the aligners. They may surprise you by how committed
they are, once they see this as an alternative to traditional braces.
I was told that Invisalign will not work for my teen. Should I get a second opinion?
Absolutely. At Abbadent Dental and Implants, Our dentists can evaluate and examine your teen to let you know whether or
not they are a good candidate for Invisalign®. When you meet with a dentist, it is difficult to know how much training
they have on this particular product. While your general dentist may do an excellent job with preventative care or
restorations, Invisalign® may be new to their practice. This is why you should always seek a second opinion when told
that you or your child cannot have a specific treatment you are interested in.
The process is simple. Call (563) 484-5202 and schedule an appointment with our 52003 dental office. Our dentists can examine your teen, let you know if they are ready for Invisalign® now, or when they will be. Next, we will discuss all of the steps involved in the process with you and your teen, so that everyone understands what to expect. There will be some paperwork to sign and financial considerations to discuss with our office manager. If you need help financing the treatment, let us know now so that we can help you find a solution.
Next, we will schedule a visit to take digital images of your teen’s mouth, along with measurements. These images will be uploaded into the computer so that we can begin to project out the treatment plan. Step by step, we plan for how the teeth will move from where they are today to where they are supposed to be. This takes time but is critically important for ensuring that they move in a set and steady pattern. This information will then be sent to the Invisalign® lab where they will produce a series of customized aligners. Each aligner is designed to move your teen’s teeth. One aligner will make a slight difference in their position but when worn in a series, they will move their teeth into a perfectly straight position. Once all of the aligners have been created to our specifications, they will be delivered in a series for your teen to wear and then switch out at home. Typically, each aligner is worn for two weeks until it becomes loose and then needs to be switched out for the next one in the series. By following our careful instructions and keeping regularly scheduled appointments, your teen can have a beautiful smile in no time.
To learn more about Invisalign Teen® and whether it is right for your child, call (563) 484-5202 and schedule an appointment with our Dubuque, Iowa dental office. At Abbadent Dental and Implants we can answer all of your questions, ensure that their treatment goes smoothly, and help your teen to gain a bright and beautiful smile.
For more information on Is Invisalign Teen Right for My Child? or to schedule a consultation, call 563-484-5202. Call today so you can have a beautiful smile tomorrow.