Should My Teen Get Traditional Braces Or Invisalign?

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Over 4 million people in the U.S. have braces, so when the dentist tells you that your teen or child needs them, you shouldn't be surprised. Braces are designed to correct alignment problems with the teeth and jaw, and there are two main types to choose from. If you are trying to decide which type is best for your teenager, here are three factors to consider.

What Problems Need To Be Corrected?

Invisalign braces tend to work well for correcting certain problems with the teeth, bite, and jaw, but they have limitations. It might be hard for you to fully understand the severity of your teen's teeth issues, but an orthodontist can help you understand. One of the first things an orthodontist will consider is the teen's bite.

If the teen's bite is off at all, it is called a malocclusion. A malocclusion can be minor or major, but it means that the bite needs to be corrected. Malocclusions can include overbites, which is a term that refers to when the upper teeth reach too far down past the lower teeth when the person bites down. There are a number of different types of malocclusions, but only traditional braces can correct major malocclusions.

There are several other factors to consider too, which include:

  • The rotation of the teeth – Invisalign is not very useful in rotating teeth more than 20 degrees.
  • Gaps – If there are major gaps to fill in, traditional braces are usually recommended too. This is because Invisalign is not capable of moving the teeth as much as regular braces.

If you are trying to decide which type of braces to choose, the information your orthodontist gives you might give you the answer you need. When there are only minor problems to fix, Invisalign braces can work well. To fix major problems, your orthodontist is likely to recommend traditional braces.

How Responsible Is Your Child?

If both options will work equally well for treating your teen's issues, you may want to consider how responsible your teen is. When traditional braces are used, the only thing your teen may have to remember is placing the rubber bands on the brackets. Invisalign is a removable form of braces, which means your teen will be able to take them out whenever he or she wants.

While there are definitely some advantages to having removable braces, there are also disadvantages. If a person removes them too often or forgets to put them back in, it will take much longer for the braces to work. This is not a problem with traditional braces because they cannot be removed.

If your teen really wants Invisalign, you may need to discuss this issue with him or her before getting them. You may also need to remind your teen daily to wear them if he or she forgets.

What Are The Cost Differences?

The final thing to consider with this decision is the amount of money you will have to pay. If you have dental insurance that offers coverage for braces, you may be able to save some money. You will still be responsible for part of the bill though, and there are cost differences with these options.

Traditional braces cost around $4,800 on average, while Invisalign typically costs between $3,000 to $8,000. In most cases, Invisalign braces will be more expensive than if you had selected traditional braces, but every case is different.

The amount you must pay for braces will depend on how severe the problems are in your child's mouth. This will determine how long the braces will be needed, and most orthodontists base their prices on this factor.

Now that you understand these three factors, you may have an easier time deciding which type to get for your teen. To learn more about these options and which would be best for your child, make an appointment with an orthodontist that offers affordable braces. Check out websites like http://www.reedorthodonticsnaples.com to get started.


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