Whether you are considering Invisalign for your child or they’re already a patient, you likely have questions about what back to school with Invisalign looks like. Luckily, Heinrichs Orthodontics has the answers!
First: What Is Invisalign?
Like braces, Invisalign straightens the teeth by applying gentle pressure to nudge them along their movement path. The difference is that, unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign does not involve brackets or wires. Instead, this treatment consists of custom-made, removable transparent trays known as clear aligners!
To accommodate young patients, Invisalign has released Invisalign First for kids who need phase 1 treatment and Invisalign for Teens for older children.
What Are The Benefits Of Invisalign For Students?
Invisalign First and Invisalign for Teens are excellent treatment options for Saskatoon students because of the flexibility and aesthetic appearance they provide patients.
No Dietary Restrictions
Children love the removability of Invisalign because it allows them a little more freedom during the orthodontic journey. Children must remove their Invisalign trays for eating and drinking anything other than water, so they can eat all the sticky, chewy, crunchy food they desire (as long as their oral health is maintained)! Because their aligners will be safely in their protective case at mealtime, kids are free to exchange snacks or choose a lunch without worrying about possible discomfort or broken aligners.
Patients can also remove the trays for special occasions like an ID photo or to play the leading role in the school play. As long as they wear the trays for twenty-two hours a day, they have some flexibility in choosing when and where to wear them.
Subtle Design
Though braces are sleeker and more discreet than ever, many younger patients are still intimidated by them. They either don’t want people to know they’re in treatment or don’t like the look of brackets and wires. Our team at Heinrichs Orthodontics firmly believes that no one should be embarrassed about their orthodontic devices because they are helping patients work towards a fantastic goal. However, if your teen or child wants a more subtle look, see if they qualify for Invisalign!
The transparent custom trays are snug yet comfortable, so your child’s treatment will be so Invisa-able to most onlookers that it might look like the Jedi Force is moving their teeth! A discreet look can make a massive difference in confidence, and your teen or child is likely to smile and participate in their regular activities just the same as they did before starting treatment!
Easy Maintenance
Another benefit of removability is that your child can maintain their regular oral hygiene routine! They just need to take trays out, and then they can brush and floss like usual!
Your teen or child will have to learn how to clean their trays daily, but it only takes a few minutes and is super easy. They can use Invisalign Cleaning Crystals or a soft-bristled toothbrush with a small amount of toothpaste to keep their trays bacteria and odor-free! Improper maintenance can unintentionally damage the aligners, so encourage them to follow Dr. Heinrichs’ instructions carefully.
Easy maintenance helps all ages to seamlessly transition into orthodontic treatment because the simplicity is convenient for busy school or work schedules.
Useful Features For Younger Invisalign Patients
Invisalign didn’t just change the size of the trays when they made Invisalign First and Invisalign for Teens. They added some pretty cool features that make the treatment process more pleasant for the whole family! Let’s check out the top three features most commonly praised by patients.
The Compliance Dot.
Are you concerned your teen or kid won’t wear their removable trays once they are at school? Are you worried that ensuring they’re wearing their trays will be a time-consuming and frustrating task? Don’t worry! Invisalign for Teens and Invisalign First were designed with youngsters in mind. Your teenager’s trays will come with a small blue dot on the back of the tray that turns white or clear over time. The color is changed by saliva in the mouth, so you can accurately monitor their aligner wear. You have the option to add this to your child’s Invisalign First treatment program.
Eruption Tabs
If your child is waiting on all their adult teeth before they start their Invisalign treatment, they don’t have to! Invisalign for Teens and Invisalign First now offer eruption tabs, which allow spaces for your kid’s adult teeth to continue to “erupt” or grow without disrupting or preventing treatment.
Replacement Trays – Invisalign for Teens
Is your teen prone to losing things or being rough on their belongings? Unlike the adult and children’s programs, Invisalign for Teens provides a limited number of replacement trays at little or no cost to you! Of course, we always encourage our patients to take excellent care of their trays to achieve the best results, but like Invisalign, our team at Heinrichs Orthodontics understands that accidents happen, and we’re always happy to help!
Invisalign Back-To-School Kit
To help your child feel comfortable and confident with their Invisalign aligners throughout the day, we encourage you to include the following on their back-to-school list:
- Invisalign protective case to safeguard the aligners when they’re not worn. Some families have one case for home and a second one that stays in their child’s backpack to ensure their child always has one at hand when necessary.
- Reusable water bottle for mouth rinsing after eating and all-day hydration.
- Orthodontic wax to stop or prevent discomfort caused by the trays rubbing against the cheeks.
- Floss or interproximal brushes to keep the teeth clean after meals.
Visit Heinrichs Orthodontics For More Information!
To determine if your child qualifies for orthodontic treatment, bring them to Henrichs Orthodontics! Our welcoming and friendly staff is dedicated to helping patients of all ages in Saskatoon and surrounding areas achieve the smiles they desire! To schedule your appointment, you can click here or give us a call at +1 306-384-9200!
