February is National Children’s Dental Health Month
(Issued Winter 2017) — Know a teen with an overbite, underbite, crossbite, gaps, or misaligned or crowded teeth? He or she may be a candidate for braces. Since February is National Children’s Dental Health Month, it’s an ideal time to think about kids and braces.
The teen years can be tough. It’s often a pivotal time when children go from being sweet and lovable to moody and difficult. Everything embarrasses them, no one understands them, and parents want to find the balance between giving them more independence while still protecting them.
Dr. Andrew Chase of ARCH Orthodontics has treated thousands of teens since he joined the practice in 1989. Over the years, Invisalign aligners have become almost as common as conventional ceramic or metal braces for adults, but now they offer an aligners series designed for teens. Known as Invisalign Teen, this option has been shown to be just as effective as braces in many case types. He says, “Having straight teeth can improve a teen’s self-confidence and ultimately their quality of life. Patients always wear retainers to maintain the new alignment, at first full time, then night time only.”
Dr. Chase describes the simple Invisalign process. Your impressions are used to create digital 3-D images of your teeth. Based on those, the Orthodontist maps out a custom treatment plan showing how the teeth will move and how often new aligners will be used – usually every two weeks. Patients wear their aligners 22 hours per day, taking them out only to eat, brush and floss. Dr. Chase tells teens, “They’re nearly invisible so most people won’t notice you’re wearing them. After about a year, the new smile will be complete.” Sometimes a patient needs to continue wearing retainers to keep teeth in their new position.
The cost of Invisalign treatment is similar to traditional braces, and many dental insurance plans cover Invisalign as they would other Orthodontic treatments. ARCH offers flexible and affordable monthly payment plans. Some families can apply their Flexible Spending Account toward Invisalign treatment. ARCH Orthodontics is a Certified Invisalign Premier Preferred Provider.
ARCH, Official Orthodontist of Miss Massachusetts, has seven offices south of Boston and two on Cape Cod. The practice offers free initial consultation and interest-free financing. To schedule a free consultation: (781) 209-6776. No-interest financing is available.
– By Stanley Hurwitz / (508) 269-0570 / stanhurwitz@gmail.com
