If your child is having issues that may require braces, you may be hearing “But I don’t want braces!” as a constant refrain. You may be quite familiar with its variations, including: “Why would I want a mouthful of metal?” and “How will I eat?!” in addition to “My friends told me that braces HURT!” and so on.
If you had braces, you may feel your child’s pain. What if you could provide your child with straight and healthy teeth without the discomfort and frustration of traditional metal braces? Now, you can. Today’s options in orthodontia go far beyond multicolored rubber bands on the traditional metal brackets. With Invisalign, your child can wear a series of removable clear plastic trays that are designed to straighten the teeth gradually.
This option provides numerous advantages, beginning with your child’s comfort. If you had traditional braces, you may recall that they can be rather sharp; you may have less-than-pleasant memories of small cuts and sores in your mouth from the points that invariably protruded into your gums, tongue, cheeks, or lips. This can be a thing of the past; with Invisalign’s clear plastic straightening trays, there is no metal sticking into soft tissue in your child’s mouth.
Remember what it felt like to have your braces tightened? It hurt, sometimes for a few days. Your child can avoid this, as well. With Invisalign, your child moves from one tray to the next so the straightening is very gradual and does not involve abrupt changes in alignment.
You may also remember the list of forbidden foods. Gum was off-limits, as were several other foods. In addition, it seemed like so many favorites were difficult to eat; corn on the cob, apples, sandwiches, and numerous other foods were nearly impossible to enjoy with traditional metal braces. With Invisalign, your teenager can simply remove the straightening tray to eat and put it back in after the meal. This will make mealtimes more pleasant and far less embarrassing for your child.
Dr. Moore and the staff at Moore Family Dental understand that straightening the teeth can be a somewhat stressful process for children and families. The entire staff is committed to providing every patient with the best possible options for optimal oral health and they will work with you and your child to determine whether Invisalign is a viable option. They will explain everything, answer any questions you may have, and make the entire process as easy as possible.
Technology has come a long way; even if your child is not a candidate for Invisalign and would do better with traditional metal braces, the experience will be a different one from yours. However, Invisalign offers a degree of comfort and freedom for which your child would be grateful.
Your child will appreciate the freedom from having a mouthful of traditional metal braces. You will appreciate the fact that your child’s teeth are being straightened in a safe and healthy way with much less frustration. Your child will be happier and more comfortable with the entire process and so will you.