El Cajon, CA – Going through orthodontic treatment is like a rite of passage – so many adolescents find themselves in some form of braces to perfect their smiles. But if your child is an athlete, it may be worth asking your orthodontist about Invisalign and its benefits.
Invisalign is a series of clear removable aligners that are designed to guide your child’s teeth to their proper locations. The aligners are made of smooth plastic, and each set is perfectly calibrated to guide your teeth to a specific location so that the result is a straighter, healthier smile. There are many advantages to using Invisalign, but for student-athletes, especially, it can be an attractive option.
For athletes who play high-impact sports, and even other sports such as gymnastics, basketball, or even baseball, injury to the mouth can be a high probability. And an injury to the mouth, while your child is wearing metal braces, can be even more harmful. The brackets and wires can become damaged, and a blow to the face can result in injuries to the mouth, lips, or cheeks, especially if no mouthguard is worn.
But for Invisalign patients, the aligners fit snugly over the teeth and are made of a smooth, comfortable material, so there is no need to worry about damage – to the aligners or your mouth.
The aligners should be worn a minimum of 22 hours a day to ensure your treatment progresses as it should. But for athletes, removing the aligners during a big game and replacing them with a properly fitting mouthguard is always a good idea. With standard metal braces, getting the right fit from a mouthguard can be difficult – the brackets and wires can make it feel funny. Because the Invisalign aligners are be removed, you can wear a mouthguard as you normally would, offering the highest level of protection during your game.
Even if you want to continue wearing your aligners during a game, a custom mouthguard can be created to fit over the aligners, adding an extra layer of protection. This will ensure that your aligners continue working while you are working in the field.
“Invisalign is an excellent option for teens and adults,” says Dr. Santiago Surillo, an orthodontist in El Cajon. “The aligners are virtually invisible, so no one will even know you are wearing them. And, they are comfortable and removable, allowing orthodontic treatment to fit in perfectly with your lifestyle.”
To learn more about the benefits of Invisalign and to see if you are a candidate for the treatment, Contact Dr. Surillo today at Children’s Braces and Dentistry.