Invisalign Express & Invisalign Teen

Invisalign Express is a shorter-duration orthodontic treatment that works in the same way as traditional Invisalign aligners. It is an ideal option for people with minor crowding or spacing issues — including issues that occur from orthodontic relapse — and for those who require teeth straightening before undergoing restorative or cosmetic procedures, such as composite bonding or tooth veneers.

Whereas a traditional Invisalign treatment requires 20 to 30 aligners to move teeth into the correct position, Invisalign Express is specifically designed for people whose crowding or spacing problems can be corrected in 10 stages of aligners or less. As a result, the length of time required for treatment is only about six months.

Are You a Candidate for Express?

Invisalign Express is designed to quickly correct simple orthodontic problems. Therefore, certain clinical criteria must be met, including:

• Less than two mm of spacing or crowding per arch
• Minimal rotation of the cuspids, bicuspids and incisors
• Less than two mm of midline correction required
• Less than 1.5 mm of dental expansion required per arch

If crowding, spacing or malocclusion (bad bite) issues are more complex, then a more traditional option might be a more appropriate orthodontic treatment. Your dentist will determine the treatment plan that’s right for you.

Be advised that many cases require removal of tooth structure between the teeth (called interproximal reduction, or manicuring) to create space. Some cases also may require attachments be added to the teeth to create a better fit and control of individual teeth.

Express Treatment

After consultation with a specially trained orthodontist or Invisalign dentist, pictures and impressions of the teeth are taken and digitalized. Then, 3D technology is used to map tooth movements from the beginning to end of treatment, forming the basis for creating the customized aligners. On average, treatment takes approximately six months.

The near-invisible Express aligners are custom-designed based on your treatment plan to perfectly fit your teeth. Aligners must be worn every day for between 20 and 22 hours, except for when eating, drinking hot liquids, brushing, flossing, playing sports or attending special occasions. The aligners are exchanged for a new set every two weeks and work continuously to straighten the teeth.

Advantages

During treatment, you can keep up your active lifestyle and smile during social activities. What’s more, because the aligners are easy to remove, they promote better oral hygiene, as well as a pain-free experience with less irritation to the gums and mouth.

What it Costs

As with all orthodontic treatments, costs for Invisalign Express vary based on geographic location and the type of dental insurance you have. Because the Express treatment requires fewer aligners, the cost for treatment is less than traditional Invisalign treatment, ranging between $1,800 and $3,500, with $2,500 being the average.

Invisalign Teen

If your teen needs braces, he or she may just have a reason to smile. The newest addition to the Invisalign product family is designed specifically for teens. It is designed to help teenagers maintain their self-esteem and self-confidence and accommodate their active lifestyles while they address their orthodontic needs.

Developed in collaboration with leading orthodontists who understand the treatment demands of teenagers, it combines the benefits of the Invisalign system with new features, such as a Blue Dot Wear Indicator that fades when the aligner becomes worn and is ready to be changed; Eruption Tabs to accommodate the growth of second molars; and other features to address clinical needs common to teens.

Teen Treatment

After consultation with a specially trained Invisalign dentist, pictures and impressions of the teeth are taken and digitized. Then, 3D technology is used to map tooth movements from the beginning to end of treatment, forming the basis for creating the customized aligners. On average, treatment takes approximately one year, but every patient’s needs are different.

The near invisible Invisalign Teen aligners are custom-designed based on your treatment plan to perfectly fit your teeth. Aligners must be worn every day for between 20 and 22 hours, except for when eating, brushing, flossing, playing sports or attending special occasions.

The aligners are exchanged for a new set every two weeks (or when the Blue Dot Wear Indicator fades), and work continuously to straighten the teeth.

Advantages

During treatment, teenagers can keep up their active lifestyle, play sports and smile during social activities. Traditional braces often carry a stigma of being unattractive and noticeable, leaving teens feeling self-conscious and afraid to smile.

What’s more, traditional wire and bracket braces present challenges for proper brushing and flossing, contributing to food and plaque build-up in the mouth. Because Invisalign Teen aligners are easy to remove, they promote better oral hygiene, as well as a pain-free experience with less irritation to the gums and mouth.

Whereas traditional braces also can require emergency visits to the dentist to fix a broken bracket, Invisalign Teen provides six extra replacement aligners in case others are lost or misplaced.

What it Costs

The cost for Invisalign Teen is approximately $5,000, which is about the same as the cost for traditional braces. However, treatment costs vary from patient to patient, and depending on geographic location.