Is Invisalign For Teens Right For You?

So you’ve just found out you need braces. Although it can be an exciting milestone for some patients, we know it’s common for teens to worry about their appearance, and the idea of braces might not appeal to them right away. However, because they are still growing, orthodontic treatment is easier now than it would be later in life.

While braces are highly effective and many kids love them, you might rather have a treatment option that is less noticeable and compliments your appearance. After all, you’ve got a lot to focus on in the coming years: yearbook pictures, homecoming, and school dances (just to name a few). That’s why we encourage you to ask our orthodontists whether Invisalign for teens is right for you. It’s an alternative to traditional braces that straightens your teeth without anyone knowing! If you’re worried that braces might get in the way of your smile, a virtually invisible option might be what you need.

Who Can Benefit From Treatment With Invisalign?

Invisalign for teens is ideal for patients of all ages who have mild to moderate orthodontic needs such as overcrowding, small gaps, and overall alignment issues. The ideal patient will need to be responsible enough to wear their aligners for at least 22 hours every day. Teens will also have to keep up with their Invisalign aligners throughout their busy days at school.

How Does It Work?

Invisalign for teens works the same way as all other levels of Invisalign and provides the same results and benefits. Invisalign for teens accommodates younger patients by leaving room for their incoming adult teeth if they have not lost all of their baby teeth.

Each aligner tray with Invisalign comes with a blue compliance indicator. This small dot on the back of each tray slowly fades as they are worn. Parents can use this to monitor how often their child wears their Invisalign to help keep them accountable.

Invisalign aligners straighten your teeth by applying gradual pressure on specific teeth at different times during your treatment. Individually designed for your teeth by Invisalign, they are worn in one to two-week increments, depending on your orthodontist’s recommendation. As you replace each aligner with the next set, your teeth will move gradually until your ideal smile is achieved. We give patients several sets of aligners at their initial appointment, so trips to our office are minimized.