Being a teenager is awkward enough as it is, and wearing metal braces can make it worse. Some teens may not have a problem with traditional braces, but those who do have the option of using Invisalign Teen®.
What is Invisalign Teen®?
Invisalign® is a set of clear aligner trays that you wear over your teeth every day.
The aligners gradually shift your teeth to correct dental problems such as overcrowding, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and crookedness. Invisalign Teen® is specifically for teens.
Just like the original, Invisalign Teen® offers patients an invisible option to fix their teeth so even your friends may not notice that you are wearing them unless you tell them.
How does Invisalign Teen® work?
Invisalign® aligners function like a set of traditional metal braces but are more convenient to you and your lifestyle while being nearly unnoticeable to others. A consultation with your orthodontist is the first step to changing your smile for the better. An impression of your teeth is made in order to manufacture a custom set of aligners just for you.
Once you receive the aligners, start wearing them for at least 22 hours every day. Only remove your aligners while eating and drinking or when you clean them. You should also remove them while playing sports because your aligners are not a proper substitute for a mouthguard.
You might feel slight discomfort when first using your aligners, but they should become more comfortable as you use them, especially since they are made up of multiple layers of plastic and have rounded edges.
Replace the aligners with a new set every two weeks to begin the next phase of shifting your teeth into place. Also, be sure to continue seeing your orthodontist for an evaluation of your progress.
How long does it take to complete Invisalign Teen® treatment?
As you already know, you should wear your aligners for at least 22 hours every day and replace them with a new set of aligners every two weeks. As long as you do this, you should start seeing results in weeks and complete your Invisalign® treatment in 12 to 18 months or sooner.
It really is up to the patient to determine how long their treatment will last. Responsibly and consistently wearing your aligners is the best way to prevent delays in the overall progress of your treatment.
Invisalign Teen® Cost
Invisalign® treatment for teens costs around the same as it does for adults, between $5,500 to $7,500. However, your dental insurance might cover part of the cost, and dentists usually offer payment plans to alleviate the pressure on your wallet. The price is also nearly the same for traditional braces, so you might as well choose Invisalign if your child is serious about it.
Is there a difference between Invisalign Teen® and Invisalign® for adults?
You might think there are many differences between adult aligners and aligners for teens, but there are only a few significant ones.
Invisalign Teen® features a blue dot on the aligners so that parents can tell if their child is responsibly wearing them. The blue dots will remain blue if the aligners are not being worn, but will gradually disappear if they are being worn consistently.
In addition, teens receive more aligners for their treatment because of the increased risk that aligners will be lost or damaged.
Invisalign Teen® versus Traditional Braces
Traditional metal braces are brackets that are bonded to each tooth and are anchored with wires and bands. This type of braces cannot be removed and is noticeable unless you choose lingual braces that go behind the teeth. Invisalign® is removable and virtually invisible.
Since you can’t remove traditional braces, that means you will have diet restrictions such as not being able to chew gum or eat popcorn. Invisalign® can be removed before eating so your eating habits don’t have to change.
Cleaning traditional braces is more difficult than cleaning Invisalign® trays. While food and other particles can get stuck in metal braces, Invisalign aligners can be removed and cleaned in a variety of ways, and you can actually see that every part of them are clean before placing them back in your mouth.
Invisalign® and traditional braces both cost about the same.
If your teen is irresponsible and likely can’t or won’t keep up with wearing Invisalign®, traditional braces may be the best option. Only patients who are committed to their treatment are most likely to see the results they want whether it takes a year and a half or even sooner.
Choosing which treatment option is best for your teen is up to you, your child, and the orthodontist.
We are a Certified Invisalign Teen® Provider
You don’t have to be bummed about possibly needing to wear braces.
Invisalign Teen® is here to fix your teeth without significantly changing your lifestyle or the way you look.
Invisalign® is convenient, comfortable, and invisible, allowing you to go about your daily routine with little change and no worries about feeling more awkward than you may already do.
Pacific Northwest Orthodontics has been serving the Tacoma, Washington area since 1994. Dr. Bobby Virk and staff are committed to providing patients with the best care possible using the most up-to-date technology and techniques. We’ve been improving smiles for so long that we now treat the children of our original patients, and we love what we do. If you or your teen is interested in Invisalign® treatment, please call us at 253-472-7788
See What Other Teens Are Saying:
Invisalign® is one of the best options for fixing smiles. You don’t have to take our word for it either. Connect with other teens to share your Invisalign Teen® experience and see what other people have to say about their treatment. Learning about the experiences of others will help you make your decision. The choice is yours. After all, it’s your teeth and your smile. Whatever you decide, Pacific Northwest Orthodontics is ready to help you begin this journey.