Invisalign Teen

Not that long ago, braces presented a major challenge for American teens, potentially affecting the way they ate, the sports they played, the activities they enjoyed, and, most important, their self-esteem.

Today, teens can solve the problems caused by crooked teeth without giving up their favorite foods or worrying about how the procedure will affect their ability to participate on athletic teams or perform in the band. Smiling isn’t an issue, either.

A well-trained and experienced orthodontist can provide them with Invisalign Teen – clear, almost invisible aligners made of tough, flexible biomedical plastic. To be effective, the aligners must be worn for at least 20 hours a day, but they are easily removable for eating, brushing, flossing and participating in sports and similar activities.

And, according to Dr. Lee Hershon, who has provided this treatment to more than 300 patients of all ages during the past seven years, Invisalign doesn’t cost any more than traditional metal braces, at least not in his office.

“Invisalign is affordable to everyone,” said Dr. Hershon.

He pointed out that Invisalign is a viable option for around 80 percent of his patients, including those who have reached their early teen years.

“You can use it for teens who are 10 to 12 at the youngest,” he commented. “They have to have most but not all of their adult teeth.”

With photographs, X-rays and impressions provided by Dr. Hershon, Invisalign uses the latest technology to create a series of clear plastic aligners designed specifically for each individual patient. The teen wears an aligner for two weeks, then moves on to the next one in the series. The treatment usually requires 20 to 40 sequential aligners.

Since Dr. Hershon gives his patients four sets of aligners at a time, they usually return to his office only about once every eight weeks. He carefully monitors the patient’s progress at each visit, adjusting the aligners, if necessary.

“With traditional braces, patients come in occasionally with loose or broken appliances. Invisalign therapy is virtually without these additional visits. An experienced orthodontist can treat even difficult cases with Invisalign only,” he commented.

He added that Invisalign Teen was created with teenagers in mind. Because the aligners are removable, they can be misplaced or even lost, but Invisalign will replace up to six aligners at no cost. Dr. Hershon pointed out that in the many years he has been using this technique, no patient has ever exceeded the allowance.

The company also has provided the technology to allow Dr. Hershon to know whether his teenage patients are actually using the aligners the necessary 20 hours a day. A small blue dot on each aligner eventually turns clear after sufficient contact with saliva.

“These wear indicators prevent noncooperation,” Dr. Hershon said.

Dr. Hershon, who has been practicing in the Charleston area for 35 years and has offices in Mount Pleasant and North Charleston, said that it’s important for a person who is interested in Invisalign Teen to find an orthodontist who has a wealth of experience with the product.

“A high level of skill and experience is required for a successful outcome,” he remarked. “Patients should seek out the most qualified and experienced orthodontist available.”

Dr. Hershon is just that. Based on the number of patients he has treated successfully, he was ranked by the company as a Preferred Premier Provider early in 2011. He is well on his way to Invisalign’s highest rating – Preferred Elite Provider – an achievement reserved for orthodontists who have “achieved an extraordinary level of Invisalign case experience.” He is the only orthodontist in the Charleston area who has met the requirements certified by Invisalign to perform the procedure for teens.

Dr. Hershon’s practical experience has been enhanced by his educational and teaching accomplishments. A graduate of Rutgers University in New Jersey, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry and the Harvard School of Dental Medicine, he has served on the faculty at Harvard and The Medical College of Virginia. He currently is an associate clinical professor at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston. In addition to being certified in the Invisalign and Invisalign Teen techniques, he specializes in orthodontics and dentofacial orthopedics.

According to Dr. Hershon, one reason more patients aren’t choosing Invisalign over traditional braces is that many people, including dentists and orthodontists, are still unaware of the product’s vast capabilities.

“It’s faster, more comfortable for the patients, more aesthetic, hygienic, there are no emergencies and we see phenomenal outcomes,” he said. “In America, high self-esteem requires a great smile.”

by Brian Sherman

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For more information about Invisalign, contact Dr. Lee Hershon at:

www.hershonorthodontics.com

Charleston Office
2679 Lake Park Drive
Lakeshore Office Park
North Charleston, SC 29406
Phone: (843) 553-2255
Fax: (843) 797-1231
map Mt. Pleasant Office
1108 Market Centre Blvd.
Mt. Pleasant, SC 29464
Phone: (843) 881-9514
Fax: (843) 881-9219
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