It’s today’s “rite of passage” for teenagers. An estimated 4.5 million Americans currently wear braces, and approximately 80 percent of those are between 6 and 18 years of age.
Parents are quite justified in saying no to frivolities for their children, but braces for teens have become more of an expectation. While not on par with necessities such as food, water, shelter, medical care, or education, today many view braces as a necessity.
Parents want to provide their children with the best of everything. A beautiful smile increases self-esteem. Straight teeth are also easier to keep clean, reducing cavities and improving oral health. Large spaces can cause speech impediments. Bad bites can cause problems with eating. What parent wants to deny their children all the benefits of braces?
Unfortunately, there can be many barriers when it comes to braces. The good news for today’s parents?
Orthosnap aligners remove and reduce barriers.
#1 Barrier for Braces: Cost
We aren’t talking about heart surgery needed to save a life. Braces for teens are elective. Cosmetic. Even if your child’s imperfections cause a lisp or difficulties with eating. Many insurance companies don’t cover braces. Or they cover a small, limited portion. And many patients don’t have dental insurance.
Americans spend up to $6 billion annually on braces. Most of this is out-of-pocket. Aside from houses, education, and cars, it is one of the biggest expenses families face.
That’s why OrthoSnap decided to invent aligners that are not only superior but more affordable.
The average cost of metal braces runs around $4,000-5,500.
The cost of Invisalign® is anywhere from $4,500-10,000.
Orthosnap is generally less than $3,000.
As you read the other benefits of Orthosnap aligners, this cost savings will be even more apparent.
#2 Barrier for Braces: Impact on Daily Living
Metal brackets and wires are not removable by the patient. This can be a good thing for non-compliant patients, but what about teens who play sports?
Orthosnap aligners are removable. This benefit is huge for those who participate in sports. Especially those who participate in high-contact sports. But Orthosnap is also a much better option for those who play instruments or sing, as patients can remove the aligners for performances.
Imagine this: Your patient is a linebacker on his high school team. Will the mouthguard fit properly with braces? What if the mouthguard comes out? What kinds of injuries could you see with a full impact hit to a mouth with metal brackets and wires?
Now imagine the same patient with removable Orthosnap aligners. Patients should wear the aligners 22-23 hours a day. It would certainly be okay to remove them for a football game so they can safely wear a normal mouthguard.
With metal braces, it is too easy for food to get stuck in brackets and wires, and few teenagers master the added difficulties of flossing properly. The commitment to oral hygiene and avoiding certain foods are much higher with traditional braces. With Orthosnap, eating, brushing, and flossing occur with the aligners out.
Consider the day after Halloween—your patient has a bag full of chewy candy and is craving a piece. Or maybe it’s his birthday, and he’s on a date—and she wants popcorn. While it’s not advisable to remove Orthosnap aligners frequently to satiate bad habits, can you see the benefits of being able to break the rules on occasion?
And what about emergency visits? Even without popcorn, chewy candies, and contact sports, brackets come off and wires break, come loose, and poke. Orthosnap aligners eliminate these problems.
#3 Barrier for Braces for Teens: Pain
With each new adjustment, metal braces cause discomfort and tenderness for days.
The changes with Orthosnap aligners are more subtle. They move teeth gently, causing little to no pain.
Are you familiar with the wax orthodontists give their patients? The brackets and wires can poke and cause soft tissue injuries and sores. With the Orthosnap, there are no wires or metal to cause injuries. There is no need for wax.
There’s also no need for rubber bands. Anyone who has worn rubber bands understands the increased pain and pressure they cause. It is the number one issue regarding noncompliance. Not only are they painful, but teens also don’t like the appearance of the bands or the necessary hooks for them.
#4 Barrier for Braces: Appearance
Appearance is everything to most teens. While most teenagers are excited about the prospect of having a beautiful smile, few appreciate the process.
Metal braces for teens, while popular, can also burden the patient with unpleasant nicknames and keep them from showing their teeth when they smile. They are often embarrassed. They hate the nicknames. They also believe braces make them look younger. What teenager wants to look younger?
Orthosnap aligners are practically invisible. Most people don’t even notice them. There is no metal, no wires, no hooks, and no rubber bands. The aligners are clear, medical-grade acrylic.
For the few patients who feel others can see their “invisible braces,” the aligners can be removed for things like photographs and important events.
Bottom Line When it Comes to Teens and Braces
When given a choice, teens prefer “invisible” braces over metal for all the same reasons adults do. Less pain. Better appearance. Less intrusion in daily life. Flexibility.
Because so many people believe clear aligners are not appropriate for teens or they think they cost more than traditional braces, many parents may quickly say no on impulse.
Once you understand the answers to parents’ biases and help them see the benefits and affordability, you will be astonished by the reactions you receive. An educational, enlightening conversation may be all it takes to convert a potential patient into an actual patient.
At the completion of treatment, your patients will appreciate their beautifully straight teeth.
Interested in learning more about this exciting opportunity and getting your patients started on a new smile?
Contact us online or call (516) 506-7606 today to find out how you can become an Orthosnap provider. We offer free training and technical support and are a full-service manufacturer. We are available every step of the way.