Invisalign® for Teens – a Great Way to Discreetly Fix That Smile
Invisalign® for Teens is an orthodontic solution designed specifically for growing teens who need teeth alignment, offering the same benefits as traditional braces but with the added esthetics and the flexibility of removable aligners. If confidence and convenience are important – your teenager is on the right path.
What is Invisalign® for Teens?
Invisalign® for Teens uses a series of clear, custom-made aligners to straighten teeth. These aligners are made of a smooth plastic material, unlike the metal wires and brackets of traditional braces. The system gradually shifts teeth into their desired position with minimal discomfort and no need for frequent adjustments.
But Isn’t Invisalign® for Adults Only?
You are right! Initially Invisalign® was for adults only. After ten years of good feedback from orthodontists Invisalign® Teen was launched. The materials are the same but the techniques of moving teeth are different. In 2017 Align Technologies announced 1 million teenage patients have now started treatment with Invisalign®. So, parents, rest assured: your teenager is getting an excellent product with years of experience behind it. Our orthodontist for teenagers will guide you through the smile journey.
What Are the Advantages of Invisalign® vs Braces for My Teenager?
Here’s how Invisalign® is transforming orthodontics for teenagers:
- Discreet Appearance – The clear aligners are virtually invisible, which means your teen can feel confident about their appearance during treatment.
- Comfortable Fit – The smooth plastic aligners are gentle on the inside of the mouth, unlike traditional braces that can cause discomfort and irritation.
- No Food Restrictions – Invisalign® aligners are removable, which means your teen can enjoy their favorite foods without worrying about getting food stuck in their braces.
- Easier Oral Hygiene – Since the aligners are removable, brushing and flossing are much easier compared to traditional braces, helping maintain good oral hygiene throughout treatment.
- Less Frequent Office Visits – Unlike traditional braces that require frequent adjustments, Invisalign® for Teens typically only requires visits to the orthodontist every eight to ten weeks or so.
How is Invisalign® Less Painful for My Teenager?
- Expanders 400-600 gr of force
- Braces 50-100 gr of force
- Invisalign® is 5-10 gr of force
What if My Teenager Loses His/her Invisalign® Aligner?
That’s no problem. We give your child a box full of aligners “sets” (a set is a pair = one upper and one lower). Each “set” is worn for one week each. So, if your teenager loses them, or if the dog chews on them, just quickly move to the next “set” of aligners and you are good to go. And what if they lose the whole box? Come in to the office so we can get a new 3D scan to get you back on track. But please note, lost aligners will slow down your treatment and there is a replacement fee.
Less Chances of Cavities With Invisalign®?
If you have ever had braces and/or expanders you know how hard it is to brush under the wires and around the braces. It could take quite a few tries just to get it right. Even if a little food particle is left, it can stick to the tooth, attract bacteria and cause a nasty cavity without you even noticing. With Invisalign®, it’s too easy: pop out the aligners, eat, brush, pop them in. And it’s so much easier to floss without braces and wires.
How Important is Compliance With Invisalign® for Teens?
Compliance means wearing the aligners 22 hours per day – taking them out only to eat and brush only. We can help you download the Invisalign® app that has reminders and keeps track of your wear hours. So, it’s extremely important. You do have the option to switch to braces, expanders and headgears. But that will add time and more effort to your treatment and extra costs.
How Long Does Treatment Take?
Treatment time can vary depending on the severity of the alignment issue – meaning how crooked the teeth are and how much the jaws are “off”. On average, Invisalign® for Teens can take anywhere from 18 to 124 months, but we can provide a more accurate estimate based on the specific needs of your teen.
Is There Anything That I Can’t Eat While Using Invisalign®?
Nope! You can enjoy all of your favorite foods throughout Invisalign® treatment. Unlike our braces patients, you won’t have to worry about hard, sticky, or chewy foods breaking brackets and wires. With your clear aligners, you can take out your appliance before eating and enjoying whatever foods you like. It’s essential that you put your Invisalign® aligners back in as soon as you’re done AFTER BRUSHING to maintain your treatment progress.
Can My Child Still Participate in Sports?
Yes! The Invisalign® aligners can never replace a proper mouthguard. But you can wear a mouthguard over the Invisalign® aligners to continue to work on that dream smile. The Invisalign® aligners can never replace a proper mouthguard as they are meant to straighten teeth only.
My Teenager Plays a Wind Instrument – What is Better? Braces or Invisalign®
If you have ever run your fingers across braces you will notice that they are sharp. And if they are pressed up against a wind instrument, the lip gets caught in the middle and that can be very uncomfortable. Also, don’t forget the cheeks when they press up against the side braces. It’s not impossible but why make it more difficult for your teenager?
How Should My Teen Care for Their Invisalign® Aligners?
We know it can be challenging to get a teen to commit to a daily oral hygiene routine, and Invisalign® makes it easy for teens to take care of their aligners without adding too many steps to their routine. All they need to do is take a toothbrush and use water to scrub away any harmful bacteria or food debris from their aligners. And when they come home they can use a “fizzy tablet” that’s also used for retainers and dentures.
How Much is Invisalign® for Teens?
The cost of Invisalign® Teen varies depending on the timeline of treatment and the extent of the patient’s orthodontic issues. While we want our patients to view corrective treatment as an investment into better health and appearance, we understand that it can take some budgeting to make this treatment work for your family. We don’t want anything to stand in the way of your teen receiving a life-changing transformation, so we have crafted flexible financing plans to help your family budget for the costs of Invisalign®. Additionally, we work with most insurance providers to help you manage and cover fees associated with treatment.
Don’t Wait!
See our orthodontist for teens early and get a free evaluation. The longer you wait, the harder and more painful it will be to fix.
Let’s make sure your teen’s smile is on the right track—and do it with as little stress as possible.