One of the most memorable things that happened to me in high school was when I got my braces.
I was always so self-conscious about my teeth -people teased me and, as a shy, impressionable middle schooler, I let their words define who I was at that time.
But, even without the teasing, having straight teeth is a huge source of confidence for young people and adults alike.
I was fortunate that my parents were able to provide me with the orthodontic care needed to help straighten my teeth and I feel the same way about being able to do it for my kids.
This month we returned to our orthodontist for a checkup and to determine if Dude 2 is ready to begin his Invisalign treatment.
We are happy to report that he will be starting the process on his next visit!
He has finally lost all of his baby teeth (WAH! Where has my baby boy gone?!) and can begin some of the pre-work needed to ensure he has a successful experience with Invisalign.
At our initial Invisalign consultation, our doctor recommended that he wear this other appliance (I so can not recall the name) to help correct his bite before he gets his full set of aligners. In a few weeks, he will return to the office to have this installed.
We are all very excited about seeing him grow into the smile he will take into adulthood.
If you’re thinking about going in for an Invisalign consultation with your child, here’s what you need to know.
The Invisalign Consultation: What to Expect on Your First Visit
Your Doctor Will Ask A Lot of Questions
Medical history type stuff, dental history type stuff, whether you are a mouth breathing, teeth grinder type stuff. It helps them understand your general oral health and orthodontics needs better.
Someone Will Take a Thousand Photos
Of your face and your mouth and your teeth. They will do camera photos as well as X-Rays so they can truly understand your teeth and facial structure. This will help inform your treatment plan and ensure that your doctor and Invisalign are truly able to meet your orthodontic needs.
Your Doctor Will Create Your Treatment Plan
Once your doctor has examined your teeth, your photos, and your X-Rays, he will be able to create an accurate, step-by-step treatment plan for getting your teeth from chaos to awesome. We loved looking at the cool, 3D renderings of Dude 2’s teeth and seeing them move nicely into place via the time lapse feature on our doctor’s computer. His doctor anticipates that he will only need to wear his Invisalign aligners for 18 months. That’s really fast! You can learn more about the process here: Invisalign Treatment Plans.
Your Doctor Will Talk to You About Invisalign
He or she will cover everything you need to know about the product and how it works, from how long it will take to what your responsibilities will be in terms of daily mouth hygiene and wearing of the aligners. They will answer any questions you and/or your child may have and ensure that this is a great fit for you and your family. Remember, while Invisalign is right for many people, every person is not a candidate for Invisalign. It is up to your doctor and you, in some ways, to determine if it is right for yourself and/or your child.
Time to Talk Money
Once everything has been decided, your doctor will be able to give you an accurate price quote for the entire treatment -from consultation through big, shiny, straight teeth and beyond (you will need to wear a retainer just like after traditional braces). You can discuss payment options with your doctor in case a flat payment is not something you can make. Most orthodontists anticipate this and will have some creative options for you to take advantage of. They can help you figure out your insurance coverage and determine what, if any, other options might work for you. You and your family will be given plenty of time to think about the entire commitment and determine if it works for you.
Have more Invisalign questions or want to set up an Invisalign Consultation? Read our Invislaign FAQs post or hop over to the Invislaign site to take the smile assessment and find a provider!
Disclosure: I am a member of the Invisalign Mom Advisory Board and I have received complimentary treatment from the makers of Invisalign clear aligner, full disclosure: http://shout.lt/ggGP