My Teenager Wants Invisalign, but I’m not Sure…

If your teenager needs orthodontic treatment then you’ve probably considered Invisalign aligners.  Many teenagers prefer Invisalign over metal braces, and a lot of them have successful results. In fact, teenagers tend to comply better than adults with their Invisalign treatment! There are pros and cons to any treatment regimen, so let’s go over some of them here.

The Pros of Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign aligners can be taken out of the mouth in order to brush and floss, making it easier to clean your teeth thoroughly and consistently. They are to be worn up to 23 hours a day however, so it’s important to remember to put them back in!

Invisalign aligners are clear, so you don’t have that chunky “metal mouth” that braces do. For teenagers in high school this is especially important, given the presence of selfies and social media these days. Self-confidence is important for everyone, and for teenagers going through orthodontic treatment the sleek and virtually invisible appearance of Invisalign aligners can help with that.

Invisalign aligners use gentler movement than braces, so there may be less pain during treatment. The pain felt with braces or Invisalign is fairly mild, but the aligners may produce slightly less.

Invisalign consists of fewer parts than braces- there are no brackets or rubber-bands to deal with. This may mean fewer trips to the orthodontist for repairs. They are also less likely to break during sports or other physical activities, and you can carry back-ups around with you in case something does happen to them.

The Cons of Invisalign for Teens

Compliance is really important for orthodontic treatment to work, and the temptation to leave the Invisalign aligners out may be too strong for some teens. They absolutely must be worn at all times (except when brushing and eating), so Invisalign may not be right for teenagers who aren’t very disciplined.

When it comes to more complicated and severe cases, Invisalign aligners aren’t always optimal. When there is a significant overbite, for example, braces may be necessary to fix the bite.

Invisalign aligners work best for teens who possess a lot of discipline, are willing to comply to all the orthodontists instructions, and are very dedicated to wearing the aligners at all times.

It’s important to note that most teenagers perform better than their parents expect. We have countless numbers of successful Invisalign cases for teens, and we absolutely recommend them if the case is appropriate.

Which is best for My Teen?

If your teenager needs orthodontic treatment and they’re asking for Invisalign, give us a call! We’ve completed hundreds of successful cases of Invisalign for teens. If you think braces might be better for your teen we can handle that just as well! If their case is more complicated, braces might be the best treatment option for your teen.

Whatever you and your teenager decide is the best treatment for them, we will be there to support and guide you every step of the way. We are a family oriented practice, and we want your family to be happy! We have worked with multiple generations-some of our current patients are the children of previous patients! Family is the most important thing there is, and we’re here to put smiles on the faces of everyone in yours!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creating generations of smiles through a legacy of personal care and heartfelt service!