Best Teen Candidates for Invisalign

Some of our happiest patients are teens getting orthodontic treatment with Invisalign Teen. When dentists first began using the traditional Invisalign system, it was not suitable for teenagers. The alignment trays did not allow for jaw growth or the eruption of molars. There were also doubts about teens keeping up with the strict protocol needed for Invisalign success.

Our San Francisco dentist is a skilled expert with Invisalign Teen as well as traditional Invisalign. In the majority of cases, Invisalign Teen will create the smile your teenager wants. On rare occasions, usually with misalignments involving vertical tooth movement, a different kind of orthodontic treatment will give the best results.

Invisalign Teen can help numerous malocclusions, including:

• CROWDED TEETH- If your jaw is not large enough for all of your teeth to fit properly, they will often overlap, turn, or push forward or backwards. Aside from aesthetics, crowded teeth are usually difficult to brush and floss adequately.

• CROSSBITE- When you close your jaw, and some upper teeth are inside your lower teeth; you have a crossbite. Crossbites often lead to gum problems, such as receding gum lines. Additionally, your teeth are more likely to chip or crack if you have a crossbite.

• OVERBITE- While it is normal for your upper teeth to overlap the lower teeth, a very large gap between the two is called an overbite. It is common for your front lower teeth to wear down because of the way your jaws fit together.

• UNDERBITE-Patients with underbites have their lower teeth in front of the upper teeth when the jaws close. This can cause difficulties in speaking and chewing.

• OPEN BITE- If your top and bottom teeth do not touch when your jaw closes, it is considered an open bite. Patients with open bites experience difficulties biting into foods and with speaking.

If your teen would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen, please contact our office. We can make an appointment for a no-obligation consultation where your teen can ask questions and learn more about Invisalign Teen.