December 12th, 2025
Parents often ask: “How old does my child need to be for Invisalign Teen?”
Ideal Ages for Invisalign Teen
- 11–17 years old
- After most adult teeth have erupted
- When teens can responsibly wear aligners 22 hours a day
Why Teens Love Invisalign
- Almost invisible
- No food restrictions
- Fewer office visits
- Great for sports and instruments
At Carr Orthodontics, many Chico teens finish Invisalign with beautiful, confident smiles—often faster than braces.
December 8th, 2025
If you’re considering braces, you may wonder: “Do braces hurt?” The truth is, braces don’t hurt, but they can cause temporary soreness as teeth begin moving.
What to Expect
- Mild pressure for 2–3 days
- Sensitivity when biting
- Occasional rubbing on cheeks (easily solved with wax)
Most discomfort disappears quickly, and our Chico patients are often surprised by how smooth the process feels.
How Carr Orthodontics Minimizes Discomfort
- Small, low-profile braces
- Smooth archwires
- Gentle, modern techniques
- Comfort kits for new patients
December 5th, 2025
Many patients ask: “Is Invisalign as good as braces?” The answer is yes—for the right case. At Carr Orthodontics, we help Chico patients understand the strengths of both.
Where Invisalign Performs Best
- Mild to moderate crowding
- Spacing issues
- Mild bite corrections
- Patients wanting cosmetic, removable appliances
Where Braces Perform Best
- Severe overbites or underbites
- Complex rotations
- Cases requiring precise tooth control
- Younger patients who may struggle with compliance
Both Achieve Great Results
At Carr Orthodontics, we use advanced planning to make either option successful. Dr. Graydon Carr helps each patient choose the method that fits their lifestyle and orthodontic goals.
December 1st, 2025
One of the most common questions adult and teen patients ask is: “How long does Invisalign take?” At Carr Orthodontics, we use digital 3D planning with the iTero scanner to give every patient an accurate estimate from day one.
Typical Invisalign Timeline
In Chico, most Invisalign treatments take:
- 6–18 months for mild to moderate cases
- 18–24 months for more complex bite corrections
- 4–6 months for minor cosmetic touch-ups
What Affects Treatment Time?
- Case complexity
- How consistently aligners are worn
- Need for elastics
- Aligners changed weekly or bi-weekly
- Teeth spacing, crowding, or bite issues
Faster Treatment with Compliance
Wearing aligners 22 hours per day dramatically improves speed and results. Most Carr Orthodontics patients stay on track when using our removable aligner tools, such as indicators and digital monitoring.
Get Your Personalized Invisalign Timeline
At your complimentary consultation, Dr. Graydon Carr will scan your teeth and show you a digital simulation of your expected progress and treatment duration.
