Invisalign Teen

McClellan Orthodontics

Is your teen bummed out about the thought of having to wear braces?

Invisalign Teen is a new generation of clear aligners that are more comfortable to wear and offer more options for our teen patients.

Invisalign Teen is an innovative orthodontic treatment option that uses clear aligners to straighten your teen’s smile. The aligners are comfortable and durable. They fit in with any extracurricular activity. Whether swimming a 50-meter race, throwing the winner touch down, or playing the clarinet, your teen does not have to worry about braces getting in the way. And…unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign Teen aligners are removable, which means your teen can eat all the things they love without worrying about breaking a bracket bending a wire.

Braces can be inconvenient for teenagers who are always on the go, but Invisalign Teen makes it easy to keep up with dental care. Since the aligner trays are removable, cleaning is super easy.

Invisalign Teen can be used on teenagers with minor to complex malocclusions. Invisalign offers the best results for teenagers committed to straightening their smiles quickly and efficiently and are willing to wear their aligners as required. Invisalign Teen is a patient-centered treatment, which means that the success of treatment is dependent on the active participation of the patient. Ideally, Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day with no exceptions. Failure to wear the trays the required number of hours daily could result in an extended treatment period.

The average length of Invisalign Teen treatment is between 12 and 18 months. However, the time frame depends on tooth misalignment severity, with severe alignment problems taking longer.

Invisalign Teen aligners are a perfect fit for every lifestyle because the aligners are:

• Clear 
• Removable 
• Comfortable 
• Customized

The technology stands out as a clear alternative to traditional braces. If your teen is conscious of their appearance and distressed at the thought of wearing metal braces, Invisalign Teen may be the perfect solution.

Give McClellan Orthodontics a call to schedule an Invisalign consultation for your teen today!

 

The Dangers of Chewing Ice

McClellan Orthodontics

Chewing ice is an incredibly common habit. Some people chew on ice after finishing a drink, while others do it to cool off in the summer heat. Chewing ice may also help relieve stress or aid in relaxation. No matter what the reason people chew ice, just like many other hard foods, chewing ice can cause a myriad of oral health issues, and even cost you an expensive trip our office or your general dentist.

If you already have fillings, crowns, or veneers, or if you wear braces, use a retainer, or have expanders, chewing ice makes you particularly vulnerable to tooth damage.

Why Chewing Ice Can be Dangerous

Broken or Fractured Teeth - Teeth may seem tough and sturdy, but they aren’t designed to crunch extremely hard objects like ice. Chewing ice can easily lead to a cracked or chipped tooth, which will require an emergency dental visit to repair the broken tooth.

Cracked Tooth Enamel - Breaking or chipping a tooth is not the only outcome of chewing ice. Often times, people will crack their tooth enamel without knowing it. Tooth enamel is the first line of defense against cavities. If tooth enamel is damaged by chewing ice, it can leave a tooth more vulnerable to acid attacks and tooth decay. That’s because acids produced by bacteria can penetrate the softer layer of the tooth, the dentin, much more easily and cause tooth decay. Cracked tooth enamel can also lead to hot and cold sensitives and tooth pain.

Damaged Dental Fillings - Chewing ice can damage existing dental work like fillings, crowns, and veneers. Damaging your dental work will require an immediate trip to your dentist for a repair. Something as simple as filling a cavity may be the solution, but other times root canals and crown replacements are necessary to repair the damage done from chewing ice.

Destroyed Oral Appliances - Oral appliances like braces and retainers play a vital role in developing healthy smiles. Despite their sturdy construction, chewing ice can cause severe damage to brackets, wires, and aligner trays resulting in extra visits to ouroffice.

Although there are much worse habits to have, Dr. McClellan and his team recommend breaking this habit as soon as you can.

If you love chewing on ice and need some ideas to shake the habit, try these tricks:

• Let Ice Cubes Melt in your Mouth: Instead of chewing on the ice cubes, try holding them in your mouth and letting them melt. The satisfying cool sensation will last longer, and you won’t damage your teeth or gums.

• Say No to Ice: Skip ice altogether. If it’s not in your glass, the temptation to chew it is gone.

• Choose a Crunchy Alternative: When you feel like you need a satisfying crunch, reach for carrot sticks, cucumber, or apple slices instead of ice…you will get the same crunch without any tooth damage. Also, chewing on healthy fibrous foods will stimulate saliva production, which acts as a natural mouthwash.

As with any habit, the first thing you should do is make yourself aware. If you are concerned about your oral health or if you chew on ice frequently, make sure you schedule an appointment with your general dentist to have your teeth and gums evaluated. If your teeth are damaged, your dentist will know exactly what to do to help.

Did you know?

The intense craving to chew on ice is sometimes categorized as pagophagia. Pagophagia, or compulsive ice chewing, is a particular form of pica that is characterized by ingestion of ice, freezer frost, or iced drinks. It is usually associated with iron deficiency anemia. Not everyone who loves chewing ice has pagophagia, but studies show that some people who have the desire to chew ice also have an underlying health issue that has not yet been resolved.

 

Invisalign First for Children 6 - 10 Years Old

McClellan Orthodontics

Invisalign First is a new treatment that can improve your child’s smile as they grow. Children can now receive effective, innovative, and comfortable treatment, replacing the need for bulky metal expanders, headgear, or braces.

As a child grows, their smile grows with them. Invisalign First was developed for children between the ages of 6-10 who experience issues with crowding, spacing, alignment issues, protrusions, arch development, and expansion. The treatment addresses these problems while also providing enough room for the adult teeth to erupt.

Invisalign First aligners are:

• Designed to treat a broad range of teeth straightening issues in growing children, from simple to complex.

• Removable for easy hygiene, making it easier for growing children to brush and floss.

• Helpful in correcting oral habits such as thumb sucking or tongue thrusting.

An initial consultation is needed to determine if your child is an appropriate candidate for Invisalign First. If approved, Dr. McClellan can begin taking pictures, x-rays, and impressions of your child’s smile that same day. Information from the imaging, x-rays, and impressions will go to an Invisalign lab where a custom Invisalign First device, called an aligner or tray, will be made for your child.

Depending on your child’s individual treatment plan, he or she may require a full pair of aligners or just one aligner. The aligners will provide gentle pressure to expand the jawline, with each new aligner moving the jaw and permanent teeth closer to the desired position. Over time the Invisalign First device will shift your child’s teeth as needed and new aligners will be provided for the following phases of treatment. With Invisalign First, treatment time normally takes 6-9 months to complete.

The Invisalign First aligners are removed for eating, brushing, and flossing, and since they do not contain wires or brackets, they are comfortable to wear. Also, because they are clear, your child will feel confident while wearing them.

Invisalign First is only available for growing children. For adults and teens who are seeking orthodontic corrections, McClellan Orthodontics offers alternative treatment options, such as Invisalign, Invisalign Teen, Damon Clear Braces, and traditional metal braces. Visit our website to choose your look.

 

What Are Clear Aligners?

McClellan Orthodontics

At McClellan Orthodontics, we offer the latest in orthodontic treatment, including clear aligners, like Invisalign!

What are Clear Aligners? Invisalign clear aligners are an orthodontic treatment option that straightens your teeth without the use of metal braces. Invisalign uses a series of custom-made clear aligners that cover your teeth and gently push them into the proper position over time. Because they are clear, they are less noticeable than traditional metal braces.

What are Invisalign Clear Aligners Made of? Invisalign clearaligners are made of a patented thermoplastic material called SmartTrack. Invisalign clear aligners are FDA-approved and contain no BPA, BPS, latex, or gluten. They are thin, clear, and fit snugly over your teeth, making them virtually invisible.

How Long does Invisalign Clear Aligner Treatment Take? Each patient’s orthodontic problem is unique, and each patient responds to treatment differently, so there is no universal answer for how long your clear aligner treatment will take. In general, the total treatment time for Invisalign clear aligners can be less than a year.

How Do Invisalign Clear Aligners Work? You will wear your aligners all day, every day, except when you eat, floss, and brush your teeth.  Because Invisalign clear aligners are removable, you will be able to briefly remove them any time you need to throughout the day. You will wear each set of aligners for two weeks and then switch to the next set of aligners. Every six weeks or so, you will have an appointment in our office to check your aligners and the progress of your treatment. These checkups also help Dr. McClellan determine if any adjustments need to be made to the aligners or to your treatment plan.

Are Invisalign Clear Aligners Expensive? As clear aligners have become more popular over the years, they have also become more affordable. Invisalign aligners tend to cost about as much as traditional braces; however, the cost of your orthodontic treatment will vary depending on your individual needs and treatment plan.

If you would like to learn more about how Invisalign clear aligners can transform your smile, give McClellan Orthodontics a call today and schedule a complimentary consultation. Dr. McClellan will assess your smile to determine if Invisalign clear aligners are right for you.

 

Caring for Your Invisalign Aligners

McClellan Orthodontics

Did you know over 6 million people across the U.S. have had orthodontic treatment using Invisalign? That includes many people right here in our Kenilworth community.

Invisalign takes a modern approach to straightening teeth, using a custom-made series of aligners created just for you. These aligner trays are made of smooth, comfortable and virtually invisible plastic that you wear over your teeth. Wearing the aligners will gradually and gently shift your teeth into place, based on the exact movements that Dr. McClellan plan's out for you.

One of Invisalign’s biggest advantages is having the ability to take the aligners out to eat and drink…but that doesn't mean they don't get dirty. Keeping your aligners clean is a vital part of your treatment, and it's the only way to keep them invisible, odorless, and free from germs.

Caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy...

• Any time you take your aligners out of your mouth, rinse them thoroughly under running water. This will rinse away bacteria, saliva, and food particles. Hot water will distort the trays. It is not safe to place your Invisalign aligners into the dishwasher or in boiling water. The best way to clean your aligners is with a clean toothbrush and cool water.

• Proper care isn't just about clean aligners; your teeth need to stay clean too. Be sure to brush and floss your teeth regularly to prevent buildup of plaque and bacteria under the aligners. 

• Anti-Bacterial soft soap is a great way to keep your aligners free of bacteria and plaque. Using anything but clear soap with aligners can cause them to stain.

• Ideally, you want to brush your Invisalign aligners every time you take them out or before you put them back in. But be careful, as overzealous brushing can leave visible marks and scratches on your aligners. Toothpaste is great for your teeth, but it can harm your aligners. When you brush your aligners, do so gently and without toothpaste.

It is important that your take care of your Invisalign aligners to ensure they are doing their best in helping shape your teeth according to your plan. If you have questions about caring for your Invisalign aligners, we are here to help! Feel free to reach out to us or use our easy online form to schedule an appointment at our Kenilworth, IL orthodontic office.