Everyone wants to look their best, teens included. Your smile is often the first thing people notice about you. If you have a teen in the Salisbury or Berlin area, your Tilghman Orthodontics team is in the business of transforming smiles. We offer both Invisalign and Smiles Correct clear aligners for teens. Keep reading to discover what clear aligners could do for your teen’s smile and confidence!
Can Teens Wear Clear Aligners?
Without question! Invisalign and Smiles Correct clear aligners work well for patients of all ages. Kids, teens, and adults can all benefit from wearing clear aligners. No two smiles are the same. Therefore, all treatment plans will be different. At Tilghman Orthodontics, we’ve treated dozens of teens with clear aligners. If you’re a teen or the parent of a teen, we’d love to help you too!
How Do Clear Aligners Compare With Regular Braces?
Clear aligners are indeed an orthodontic appliance. Their purpose is to straighten teeth over a period of time. Like traditional braces, a patient may have to wear clear aligners for an extended period. In those ways, clear aligners are similar to conventional braces. But to call them the same would be inaccurate. Braces, whether metal or clear, have brackets and wires.
Additionally, Dr. Tilghman will likely recommend braces to fix a bad bite. You may hear them use the term “malocclusion.” Braces can work better (and, in many cases, more quickly) on bad bites. That said, patients may eventually transition from braces to Invisalign or Smiles Correct to help them further hone their smile. Nevertheless, clear aligners and braces are distinctly different for that reason.
What Else Can Clear Aligners Do?
Clear aligners work more like a retainer than braces. You can’t take braces off to eat or brush your teeth. But since Invisalign and Smiles Correct are removable, you have the ability to take them out when you have a meal or get ready to brush and floss. However, it is important to understand that compliance is the key to success with aligner treatment. Aligners must be worn around the clock to achieve the desired outcome.
Dr. Tilghman designs sets of customized acrylic clear aligners for each specific set of teeth. Each aligner is composed of smooth, sleek, and virtually unseeable plastic. Tilghman Orthodontics uses a digital scanner to analyze your bite, leading to a tailored aligner. We do all this without requiring yucky trays and impressions. Dr. Tilghman then generates a unique plan for your teeth. Next, you’ll receive your complete set of aligners a few weeks later. The entire clear aligner treatment process varies depending on the complexity of a patient’s treatment.
Are Clear Aligners Only for Minor Cases?
Braces still seem like the best option to many, but the truth is that Invisalign and Smiles Correct work just as well in nearly all orthodontic cases. In some situations, it’s an even better treatment than traditional braces. If you’re wondering if it will work for you, the answer is probably yes – just ask!
Are Clear Aligners Hard to Clean?
Not at all! Aligners are just as easy to clean as your teeth. Within a few tries, you’ll know exactly how to clean your Invisalign or Smile Connect clear aligner. Make sure that whatever you’re using to clean your aligner is designed for that purpose. Dr. Tilghman can advise you of specific cleaners to use. Soak your aligner in aligner cleaning solution for about 20 minutes a day. If all else fails, opt for a gentle soap. Remember to keep your toothpaste away — toothpaste can damage aligners. That said, using an additional soft bristle brush doesn’t hurt to keep your aligner clean.
What About Price?
Tilghman Orthodontics understands budget constraints. In any circumstance, patients come first. Dr. Tilghman and Dr. Scwartz will only offer treatment plans a patient will actually benefit from. We don’t believe in surprise charges or hidden fees.
With that in mind, sometimes people are intimidated by anything described as “state-of-the-art.” To many folks, that’s just another word for “expensive.” Dr. Tilghman and our staff will be happy to discuss flexible payments options.
Will My Insurance Cover Clear Aligners?
Suppose your insurance provider covers dental and orthodontic interventions. In that case, you can use it to help with either clear aligners or regular braces. The team at Tilghman Orthodontics in Salisbury and Berlin works with most Maryland insurance companies. We’ll check and double-check any benefits you’re entitled to. Furthermore, we’re happy to talk with you about a payment plan that fits your budget.
Trust Your Teen’s Teeth to Tilghman Orthodontics
Still have questions about how clear aligners can help your teen’s teeth? Visit Tilghman Orthodontics here to schedule an appointment.