Photo credit Sage by B. Kenaz-Mara
Sagezilla & Du-Jay have gone from baby teeth to braces bound...
The word braces conjures up images of medieval torture chamber looking headgear, retainers and rubberbands, and sharp metal bits and bands that sliced into my tender lips and inner cheeks as a 12 year old. However, there's a clear choice now, that aligns teeth without all the torment. Thanks to Invisalign for sponsoring this post and helping us spread the word about their kinder, gentler option. Boy do I wish Invisalign existed when I was a teen.
Sometimes history doesn't have to repeat itself. Invisalign's clear, removable aligners are now available to pre-teens and teens as well as adults who need a bit of straightening out. We're still checking out the options, but our dentist offers both Invisalign & traditional metal braces and with similar overall costs, Invisalign's a clear choice... literally.
Braces were uncomfortable for me. I remember having to rub little balls of wax on the sharp, metal parts, and it was super hard to sleep in head gear. I had little baggies of rubberbands that all had boys' names... for some inexplicable reason and I HATED going to the dentist every 3 weeks to have my braces tightened. One of my worst braces memories involves being hit in the face by a ball while I wasn't looking. The impact dug all the braces into the inside of my lips, creating a shredded, painful mess.
Today Invisalign provides a clear alternative to metal braces. We met a couple of Invisalign wearing kids at the Bloggy Bootcamp and you could barely see the aligners at all!
The aligners are also removable for eating and better brushing which is a huge bonus. And they can be taken out before sports, so my horrible lip splitting encounter with the ball needn't happen to this generation.
Blast from the past... Here's my 12 year old self, looking thrilled with my mouth full of metal. My dad was a hipster 30 years early... who knew?!
This past month we've had braces on the brain over here at ChiIL Mama. Back in the 80's I wore braces for two years and it's become more evident with every baby tooth lost that my two tweens inherited my crooked smile. My 12 year old just lost his final tooth so we took both kids to the orthodontist and the verdict was braces recommended for both.
Photo credit Dugan by B. Kenaz-Mara
In a crazy coinkidink of timing, right after we got the impressions and x-rays back, The SITs Girls and Invisalign Teen invited us to a Mini Bloggy Bootcamp right here in Chicago. It was quite informative and I was so stoked to have such timely and relavant information land in my lap. If you follow ChiIL Mama on Twitter you may have noticed us Tweeting up a storm earlier in May with Straight Talk. #INVStraightTalk
Never fear, so many of our readers are still in the newbie stages of parenting that we'll never stop reviewing and giving away rockin' baby gear & kindie music. Still, many of our readers are into the tween years and beyond, and many of you have feet still planted in both worlds. As a mom of a 10 year old daughter & 12 year old son in need of a good straightening out in the tooth department, I was elated to talk to Invisalign!
When compared to metal (or even ceramic wire & bracket) braces, the clear aligner option has many benefits. Although the cost is roughly about the same as traditional braces, the system usually requires fewer office visits, shorter appointments and no "emergency" visits for broken wires or brackets. Metal wires and brackets can cause irritation or even accident-related injuries, especially for teens involved in sports.
Intrigued by Invisalign? Here's what they have to say:
Today’s braces are more sophisticated than ever. Gone are the days of “wrap around” metal brackets, bonded brackets and big clunky head and neck gears. As technology enhances our daily lives, it also continues to advance the science of orthodontics. Click right here to see how Invisalign works.
Among the new advances in orthodontia, removable aligners, like Invisalign & Invisalign Teen, are fast becoming a popular choice. The system uses a series of clear aligners made of lightweight plastic that sit smoothly on the teeth allowing for a more comfortable fit and they work as effectively as traditional metal braces.
There are more than 2 million Invisalign cases in treatment or completed worldwide. From very simple to very challenging, Invisalign offers a full spectrum of clear straightening treatments for most types of orthodontic issues. the Invisalign Smile Assessment to find out if Invisalign is right for you or your child.
Because the aligners can be removed, kids can eat, brush and floss as they would normally. Teens can smile with confidence while straightening their teeth since this treatment, unlike traditional metal braces, is virtually invisible.
Treatment capabilities are not limited to mild cosmetic cases. Due to many advances in its proprietary technology, Invisalign can effectively correct a broad range of more complex cases such as: overly crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, open bite, crossbite, overbite and underbite. Visit the Invisalign website to learn about all of the dental issues Invisalign can treat.
Adults and teens now have a modern choice for straightening their teeth. No more wires and brackets required – Invisalign is the clear alternative to metal braces that uses a series of virtually invisible and removable aligners that gradually move teeth over time. The benefits include no food restrictions, ability to easily maintain healthy dental brushing habits, minimal interference with sports or other activities, and teeth get straightened without most people knowing you are in treatment.
As with any medical procedure, consider getting a second opinion if you are told you or your child is not a candidate for Invisalign. Not all dentists and orthodontists are certified Invisalign providers, the best way to find an Invisalign provider is to visit the Invisalign Doctor Locator
Braces are a rite of passage for many kids, and thanks to 21st century technology such as Invisalign Teen, patients can watch their winning smile evolve instead of waiting to see the final result when the traditional metal brackets come off. Invisalign patients can start to see improvements and progress in as little as 90 days.
There have been revolutionary breakthroughs in orthodontia, and although there are dentists and orthodontists still utilizing traditional impressions, many others are offering awesome digital scanners. Check with your provider to see what's possible. With the use of digital imaging to take dental impressions for teeth straightening with Invisalign there are no more goopy molds to gag on, now with digital scanners like iTero, patients are comfortable while taking dental impressions and the orthodontist is able to receive precise 3D imagery through the use of an iTero wand to create a teeth straightening treatment plan with Invisalign.
Every patient’s needs are different and there are many factors that determine the cost of Invisalign treatment. But, in most cases, Invisalign is comparable in cost to traditional braces, is covered by most dental insurance plans, and affordable financing options are always available. For more information on cost and insurance coverage, visit the Invisalign website here.
For more information about the clear alternative to braces:
Disclaimer:
This is a sponsored post. However, all thoughts, opinions and 1980's braces horror stories are my
own.
