Invisalign® Clear Braces – New Britain, CT
Straighten Your Smile Without Uncomfortable Metal
During high school, your teen is building their confidence and making friendships that will last a lifetime. Having a mouth full of brackets and wires can potentially impact them at an important time in their development. For an orthodontic treatment that won’t infringe on their social life, Invisalign in New Britain is one of the best choices! Dr. Christina Helfrich can develop a unique treatment plan to help your teen straighten their teeth and have a smile that they’re proud of, even as an adult. They’ll thank you in the future when you schedule a consultation by contacting us today!
Why Choose Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics for Invisalign?
- We Treat Infants, Children, and Teens
- Kid-Friendly Office
- 100% Lifetime Orthodontic Guarantee
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?
Invisalign uses custom-crafted aligners to strategically and gently move your teen’s teeth into their ideal positions. They’re made from an FDA-approved, smooth plastic that is gentle on the mouth, as opposed to metal brackets and wires. The average Invisalign treatment takes place over the course of anywhere from eight to 14 months. Every two weeks, your son or daughter will visit our office to pick up their new set of aligners from Dr. Helfrich, their orthodontist. These appointments are painless and fast, typically lasting from 15 to 30 minutes—just enough time for a quick checkup.
When patients put these trays in their mouth, they’ll be able to correct misalignment, crowding, and bite problems so they can enjoy an improved smile as an adult. All they have to do is wear them for at least 22 hours each day, only removing them to clean their teeth, eat, and drink anything besides water. Because they’re removable, all of these tasks are significantly easier since they don’t have to navigate around wires and brackets.
Invisalign for Teens
If you have a teen at home who could benefit from Invisalign, we have a great option: Invisalign Teen. This treatment is essentially the same as traditional Invisalign, except that it’s geared toward teens, making the process easier for parents and their children. Invisalign Teen aligners come with a small blue dot on them, making it easy for parents to check if they’ve been wearing their trays. This blue dot will eventually fade away, which is a sign that your teen has worn their aligners for the right amount of time. Plus, Invisalign Teen comes with extra aligners because we all know how forgetful teenagers can be!
Who Can Invisalign Help?
We offer Invisalign because it can be used to correct numerous orthodontic issues, including common bite problems – in an aesthetically pleasing way too! So, if your teen is interested in Invisalign, don’t hesitate to schedule a consultation at our office. There’s a good chance that they are a candidate if they have a mild or moderate case of one of the following:
Crowded Teeth
Teeth that overlap or are rotated out of position aren’t the most aesthetically pleasing. Not only that, but they are harder to care for since food particles and other debris can easily get lodged in the crevices. Thankfully, Invisalign has proven to be reliable when it comes to correcting mild to moderate cases of overcrowding. Since there aren’t any metal components, no unwanted attention will be drawn to your son or daughter’s smile either!
Gaps Between Teeth
Spaces in your child’s smile can dramatically affect their self-esteem, even if they are relatively small. Not only that, but the gaps increase the risk of tooth decay and gum disease because bacteria tend to collect in the spaces. Don’t worry though – Invisalign can help. The clear, custom-made aligners will gradually bring the teeth closer and closer together, eliminating gaps in the process. The final result will be straighter teeth and a healthier bite!
Overbite
Unfortunately, overbites can negatively impact your child’s self-esteem and lead to abnormal wear and tear. That’s why we recommend scheduling a consultation sooner rather than later: we want to determine if orthodontic care is needed and, if it is, if Invisalign is an option. That way, we can correct mild to moderate bite issues, improving your child’s confidence, oral health, and bite in the process.
Underbite
If your child’s lower teeth sit in front of their upper ones, then there’s a good chance that they have an underbite. Since this places immense pressure on their jaw, it’s only a matter of time until they experience chronic pain. Plus, there are other serious consequences, including premature wear and tear on their teeth. That’s why it’s important to bring them in for an Invisalign consultation sooner rather than later!
Crossbite
Crossbites are when some – but not all – of the lower teeth sit in front of the upper teeth. In addition to resulting in premature wear and tear, this bite problem can make it difficult to chew properly and enunciate clearly. That’s why parents are encouraged to schedule an orthodontic consultation for their child at age 7! That way, we can conduct an exam and determine if braces are necessary now or in the future.
Open Bite
When your child bites down, their upper and lower teeth should come together evenly. If they don’t, then they likely have an open bite. This bite problem is often the result of either a childhood habit, like sucking their thumb, or genetics. Either way, it’s important to bring them to our office to see if orthodontic treatment is necessary and, if it is, if Invisalign is an option.
Benefits of Invisalign
Using the latest technological advancements in the dental field, this modern orthodontic treatment has helped more patients than ever achieve their desired smile (over 17 million, to be more exact). There are several advantages that come with choosing Invisalign as well, such as:
Faster Average Treatment Timeline
Oftentimes, traditional braces take up to two years to deliver results. Invisalign, on the other hand, can straighten teeth in just 12 months. Of course, some treatment plans are shorter or longer than that since there are several factors at play, including how many aligners are needed and how well the guidelines are followed. Ultimately, the easiest way to get a more accurate estimate is by scheduling a consultation.
More Comfortable Aligners
Although traditional braces come with their own set of benefits, there’s no denying that they aren’t the most comfortable. Fortunately, Invisalign aligners are metal-free. Not only that, but they are custom-made for each patient from smooth plastic, which doesn’t poke the mouth like wires and brackets. This way, patients don’t have to worry about constantly applying orthodontic wax to relieve discomfort.
Basically Invisible Braces
Of course, one of the biggest draws of Invisalign is the clear aligners. So, whether you’re heading off to a job interview, you’re going on a first date, or you’re heading to the DMV to take a new driver’s license photo, you don’t have to worry – your braces won’t be the first thing others see. In fact, there’s a good chance that even those closest to you will have a hard time telling when you’re wearing the aligners.
No Dietary Restrictions
Patients with traditional braces need to cut out several foods, including whole apples, raw nuts, hard pretzels, and tortilla chips. Since Invisalign aligners are removable, the same dietary restrictions do not apply! All we ask of our patients is that they do their best to eat a well-balanced diet filled with lots of nutrient-dense foods.
Easy Dental Care
In order to clean around the brackets and wires, patients with traditional braces often need to invest more time brushing and flossing their teeth. That’s not the case with Invisalign. Simply take off the aligners, rinse them with clean, cool water, and store them safely while you complete your dental care regimen. Then, when you’re done, clean your trays too!
Quick Follow-Up Visits
Whether you’re a busy student or a parent who’s always on the go, you’ll be happy to hear that the follow-up visits with Invisalign are usually pretty quick (about 20 minutes or less). That is, of course, if your teeth are tracking properly. If they aren’t, then your appointment may be a bit longer since we need to determine why that is and make the necessary adjustments to your treatment plan.
How Much Does Invisalign Cost?
Like any dental treatment, the cost varies from patient to patient depending on several factors, like how severe your teen’s misalignment is, the treatment time, or if they need to correct a bite problem. The best way to find out the exact cost of Invisalign in New Britain is to schedule a consultation with Dr. Helfrich. She can walk you and your child through the process and discuss any financing options available to you.
Second Opinions
When considering Invisalign treatment, it’s always a good idea to get a second opinion. If you’ve been to another practice for a consultation, or maybe you’ve completed one online, we’re happy to look at your smile again for a second opinion. Our Board-Certified orthodontist, Dr. Christina Helfrich will carefully check your smile and its alignment before recommending the next steps for treatment.
Invisalign FAQs
Although many people often attribute clear aligners with adult orthodontics, Invisalign in New Britain can be suitable for children and teens. It’s a discreet solution to help them achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they deserve; however, it’s normal for you and your child to have a few questions before committing to the treatment. Dr. Alkhoury will take the time to explain the process during their initial consultation. In the meantime, here are the answers to a few of the most common questions we’re asked to help easy any apprehensions.
How can I tell when it’s time for my child to change their aligner?
Besides wearing their aligners for at least 22 hours each day, your child will also need to change to a new one every 1-2 weeks depending on their plan. If they don’t switch to a new aligner in the series on time, it can lead to delays or unnecessary complications with their treatment. We know children aren’t always the best at keeping track of time, which is why each aligner features a small blue dot on the end. If they are wearing their aligner for the correct length of time each day, the small dot will slowly fade. This will alert you and your child that it’s time to change to the next aligner in their series.
What happens if an aligner gets lost or broken?
The aligners are made of durable material, but they can fracture or break. In some cases, your child might even misplace them. If an aligner is damaged or lost, it’s important to contact our office right away. We can replace it to prevent any delays in your child’s treatment. If it’s close to time to switch to the next aligner, we might recommend moving on to a new one. Each case differs, which is why it’s essential you call our office.
How long does the treatment take?
Every treatment plan is unique, but most patients are finished with their series of aligners in about 12-18 months. We’ll explain how long your child can expect to wear them without any unforeseen complications. On average, those who have complex cases will require more aligners, so it will take longer to complete.
Does my dental insurance cover Invisalign?
More dental insurance carriers than ever are including coverage for clear aligners, including Invisalign. Every plan differs, but most with orthodontia included in the policy will pay a portion of the cost. We will work on your behalf with your insurance company to file the necessary claims and forms, so you have one less thing to worry about. We’ll maximize your allowance to lower the amount you need to pay out-of-pocket. A member of our team will take the time to explain how your coverage is being used and your options to cover any remaining balance, like third-party financing. We’ll help you find the solutions you need to invest in your child’s smile and confidence without breaking the bank.