Survey
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
* Your assessment is very important for improving the workof artificial intelligence, which forms the content of this project
T E E N T E E T H INVISALIGN TEEN: A “CLEAR” ALTERNATIVE FOR TEENS NEW INVISIBLE ALIGNERS SPECIFICALLY FOR TEENS It’s easier to get your teenager to agree to wear braces if he or she knows the braces virtually cannot be seen BY SETH NEWMAN, D.D.S. Many parents are surprised to learn that although Invisalign does cost more than traditional braces, this difference is not as appreciable as they’d expected 14 IMAGE I t was not that long ago that teenage patients had only one choice when it came to straightening their teeth: metal brackets and wires. Ceramic brackets were the next evolution in esthetic orthodontic treatment options. Although less noticeable, these appliances still are visible when our patients smile. While they’re reliable, and often still the most appropriate choice, these traditional orthodontic appliances have the inherent drawbacks of appearance, impaired hygiene, and a period of adjustment. Today, more and more teen patients and their parents are seeking less visible, more esthetic treatment options. One of the newest of these that orthodontists now have for our young patients is Invisalign Teen. This product was launched by the Santa Clara, California-based Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign. Invisalign is a computer-generated set of clear, nearly invisible, removable appliances (also called aligners) that guide teeth into the desired final position. While similar to traditional Invisalign, Invisalign Teen incorporates several key features to accommodate the unique needs of our teen patients. Patient August/September 2009 compliance is a critical component to any successful orthodontic treatment. The fact that Invisalign is removable was a major concern of both parents and orthodontists, who can remember how well they themselves followed directions as teenagers. In response, Align designed the Invisalign Teen appliance with compliance indicators. When worn as directed, these indicators are designed to fade from a dark blue to a light blue or clear during the two-week wear period. This provides the doctor, patient, and parents with a visual clue of compliance. In order to maximize the efficiency of the appliance, the Invisalign Teen aligners must be worn as prescribed. This is usually 20 to 22 hours per day over a two- to threeweek period. Another benefit of Invisalign Teen treatment is the ability it gives to the patient to remove the aligners when needed for sports, music lessons, and of course eating. It is not hard to imagine an aligner getting lost with the active and sometimes hectic lives of our teen patients. Align includes up to six free individual arch replacement aligners to compensate for aligner loss or breakage during active Invisalign Teen treatment. The replacement aligners help ensure continuous aligner wear so that compliance doesn’t become a stumbling block during treatment. Teenagers often begin their treatment while their permanent teeth are still coming in or “erupting.” Another unique feature of the Invisalign Teen product is that it features specially engineered “eruption tabs” to compensate for molar eruption during the treatment. The thought of wearing traditional braces for some patients, especially those in high school, can be enough August/September 2009 for them to defer treatment. It’s not uncommon for them to view braces as something that will make them stand out and look “geeky.” This can have obvious implications for their self-esteem. Invisalign Teen is an exciting alternative for patients who are cosmetically conscious and want to avoid the stereotype of traditional braces. In our practice, we have found many of our teen patients view wearing Invisalign as being trendy and “in.” These same patients are usually the biggest advocates for their friends and even parents to undergo treatment as well. TODAY MORE AND MORE TEEN PATIENTS AND THEIR PARENTS ARE SEEKING LESS VISIBLE, MORE ESTHETIC TREATMENT OPTIONS It is important to keep in mind that not all teenage patients are candidates for Invisalign Teen. They must fall within the guidelines of what the appliance can successfully and predictably accomplish. It is for this reason that orthodontists must weigh their patients’ wants against what is the most effective way to correct their malocclusions. Invisalign Teen is most suitable for those patients who no longer have any primary teeth present. This usually encompasses teenagers within the high school years. Additionally, it is most effective in treating cases we would classify as mild to moderate in severity. Those patients needing correction of skeletal or jaw positions, or severely crowded or rotated teeth, would not qualify. [Continued on page 73] IMAGE 15 INVISALIGN TEEN [Continued from page 15] More sophisticated tooth movements are still better served with fixed braces. Overall, our teenage patients have been very enthusiastic and excited about Invisalign Teen. They feel that the system “works for them,” their friends cannot see it, and it is relatively pain-free. It is for this reason that many teenagers, when given a choice, will choose Invisalign. It is important to note that some teenagers still prefer traditional braces, with which they do not have to actively participate in the treatment process. Invisalign Teen has obvious appeal to teenage patients. Especially in today’s world, one factor that parents are concerned with is the cost of treatment. Many parents are surprised to learn that although Invisalign does cost more than traditional braces, this difference is not as appreciable as they’d expected. Further, those with dental insurance and orthodontic benefits can receive coverage toward Invisalign Teen. We are very excited to incorporate the new technology Invisalign Teen brings into our practice. The unique features of these aligners make them well suited for our teenage population. This is an excellent treatment option for the right individual. Patients enjoy a nearly invisible way to straighten their teeth, and we orthodontists have a new and exciting tool to provide them with an exceptional smile! IMAGE August/September 2009 Long Island Image interviewed two sisters who have worn the Teen Invisalign, and both told us how happy they are with their new smiles. Previously, Samatha was never happy with her smile and never smiled in photos because she had both an overbite and a gap between her teeth. Yet she hadn’t thought about fixing her teeth until she entered middle school, where she became more self-conscious, meeting new people. She explains that girls and guys become more social in middle school. At 13, Samantha decided that she wanted to fix her smile but didn’t want to wear traditional braces. She definitely didn’t want her graduation photos taken with braces gleaming on her teeth. When Dr. Newman fitted her with Invisalign, she was thrilled. The first tray was fitted on Halloween, and nobody was able to tell that she was wearing braces. Teen Invisalign has been on Samantha’s teeth for six months, and her treatment will be completed in two weeks. She now smiles all the time, her self-confidence has increased, and her friends are constantly complimenting her beautiul new smile. Samantha’s sister, Brittney, started wearing Invisalign a little later in life—at the age of 17. Her smile had never bothered her, but one day, when she went with Samantha to the orthodontist, she asked the doctor to look in her mouth. Brittney had crooked teeth in the back of her mouth, and her bite was off. She actually had a more complicated case than her sister’s. Brittney made the decision to improve upon her smile even though it had never really bothered her. When I asked Brittney if she sees a difference in her teeth, she said with a big smile, “Yes. I cannot believe how much nicer my mouth looks. My teeth are straight, and the gaps that I thought didn’t bother me are no longer there.” Brittney was fitted for Invisalign trays in December of ‘08, and she now has six more months to go. Only she knows when they are on. It’s her little secret, and she’s smiling now. IMAGE 73