invisalign® Teen in Jacksonville, AR

Although traditional metal braces have improved leaps and bounds in comparison to what they were several years ago, many teens still may be resistant to the look and feel of them. For this reason, Ashcraft Orthodontics Jacksonville is proud to provide Central Arkansas adolescents with an option for nearly invisible orthodontics: Invisalign Teen. Like regular Invisalign, Invisalign Teen is crafted with clear, comfortable plastic that fits onto the teeth and gradually improves their positioning along the jawbones. This advanced system can address a range of issues, such as a misaligned bite, overcrowded teeth, crooked teeth, and more. If your teen needs orthodontic care and you're looking for more options besides conventional braces, contact our Jacksonville, AR office. Board-certified orthodontist Dr. Michael Ashcraft will be more than happy to explain the benefits and treatment process of Invisalign Teen.

You may be wondering what exactly is the difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen. As the name implies, Invisalign Teen is designed to address the unique concerns of developing adolescent jawbones and teeth. Some unique features offered by this advanced system are:

• Eruption Tabs: Because not every teenaged patient has fully completed the adult teeth eruption process by the time they require orthodontics, this system has a built-in feature that provides room for the eruption of the final molars. This is to ensure that these important teeth grow into their ideal space without overcrowding or impacting the other teeth.
• Compliance Indicators: Each clear tray has a small, blue dot toward the back of the appliance. This dot is meant to fade with use so Dr. Ashcraft will know if your teen is wearing their aligners regularly. Called "compliance indicators," this simple but effective feature can help keep your child on track and accountable.
• Extra Replacement Aligners: Each Invisalign Teen system comes with six substitute aligners to account for any accidents or loss. Simply contact our Jacksonville, AR office right away if your teen needs a replacement tray.

A patient could be an ideal candidate for Invisalign Teen if they have any of the following issues:

• Crowded or crooked teeth
• Gaps between the teeth
• Rotated or misaligned teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crossbite

To determine if your teen is a candidate for Invisalign Teen, Dr. Ashcraft and his team will take digital x-rays and impressions of their mouth and evaluate the condition of their teeth and jawbones as a whole. We will make you and your adolescent aware of all options so that the most informed decision is made. If your child plays sports or an instrument, then the Invisalign system could be a wonderful alternative to metal braces, which could end up causing damage to the soft tissues of the mouth.

Once your teen's treatment plan is developed, one of our orthodontic assistants will take digital impressions and x-rays of their mouth. These scans will then be sent to the Invisalign lab where their custom trays will be created. When they are finished, they will arrive at our office to be picked up. It is important that your teen understands the significance of wearing their clear trays for at least 20 – 22 hours each day. Every set of aligners is intended to be work for about two weeks and then traded out for the next trays. Because Invisalign Teen aligners come with a small, blue dot (the "compliance indicator"), Dr. Ashcraft will know if your teenager is wearing their trays enough. This can also help to motivate your child to be consistent with their orthodontic care throughout the duration of their treatment.

It's vital that your teen attends their scheduled check-in appointments at our Jacksonville, AR office every 2 – 4 weeks. This is so Dr. Ashcraft can monitor their progress and adjust their treatment plan as needed. During these visits, he will also check the compliance indicators and provide substitute aligners as needed. Your adolescent should wear their trays for at least 20 hours each day, only removing them to eat, brush, and floss. Before placing the clear aligner back into their mouth, their teeth should be clean and free of bacteria. A huge benefit to Invisalign Teen is that your child won't have to worry about meticulously brushing and flossing around brackets and wires. This could ultimately lessen the likelihood of them developing gingivitis, tooth decay, or other dental concerns.

Depending on your insurance plan, some of the costs of your teen's Invisalign Teen treatment system may be covered. We will work to understand your full benefits and make sure that you get the most out of your insurance. For those without insurance, our office accepts a range of payment methods, including medical financing that is offered both in-house and through CareCredit.

Metal braces just aren't for everyone. If your teen requires orthodontic care but doesn't want to deal with the hassle and appearance that can come with traditional metal braces, contact Ashcraft Orthodontics Jacksonville and learn more about the benefits of Invisalign Teen. This advanced system is designed to improve the health and beauty of your child's smile while also holding them accountable to keep their orthodontic care in check.