Should I Let My Teenager get Invisalign?

Ideally your child should see an orthodontist by age 7. Keep in mind that even if your child’s teeth look straight and even, there could be issues happening below the surface that only a trained orthodontist can see.

Preventative orthodontic work can be done for people of all ages, from toddlers to adults. The common misperception is that orthodontic treatment is just for teenagers. That’s simply not true. However lots of teens do require orthodontics and you want your child to receive the best care possible.

Invisalign is becoming more and more popular. They make orthodontic care easier for adults because they’re less conspicuous than braces and therefore not as awkward in social and professional situations. But are they right for your teen? Read on to learn more!

The Pros of Invisalign for Your Teen

Invisalign aligners, unlike braces, can be removed in order to brush and floss your teeth. This makes it easier for your teen to adhere to a routine of good oral hygiene. Invisalign aligners do need to be worn for up to 23 hours a day to reach their maximum effectiveness though, so it’s important to put them back in immediately after brushing and flossing!

Invisalign aligners are clear, and less obvious to passerby than chunky metal braces. If your teenager is self-conscious about their appearance, and balking at the thought of wearing chunk metal braces then Invisalign may be the perfect treatment option.

Invisalign aligners use slower and gentler movements than braces, so any pain or discomfort felt will be milder than that felt with braces. The pain felt with braces is pretty mild and usually short lived, but with Invisalign it’s even milder. If your teenager is particularly sensitive to, or concerned about pain or discomfort, than Invisalign may be the way to go.

Braces consist of more hardware than Invisalign aligners. There are brackets and elastics to contend with, meaning more room for possible breakage. Those breakages mean more visits to the Orthodontist for repairs-no fun for teenager or parent. So if your teenager is physically active, plays in contacts sports at all, then Invisalign aligners may be a solution for minimizing breaking and appointment hassles.

The Cons of Invisalign for Your Teen

The number one thing to remember about Invisalign is that compliance is key. They need to be worn in order for them to work. They need to be worn almost constantly, up to 23 hours a day. So if your teen isn’t particularly disciplined Invisalign might not be the best option.

If your teenager has a particularly complicated case, Invisalign might not be the best way to go. If he or she has a severe overbite for example, it might be necessary to uses braces instead because the movement of teeth is quicker and firmer.

Invisalign aligners work best for teenagers who are disciplined and committed to completing their treatment in a timely and efficient manner, can follow the orthodontists instructions, and is willing to wear their aligners at all times regardless of the ability to take them out whenever they please.

It’s important to note that most teenagers perform better than their parents expect with Invisalign treatment regimens. If your teen has a case where Invisalign would sufficiently suffice as a treatment, we will absolutely recommend it.

What’s best for My Teen?

If your teenager is in need of orthodontic treatment, and you have questions, please give us a call! We are a family oriented practice, and we treat patients of all ages. We understand that treating your teenager at this in between stage of development can be difficult, so we are here to help. Don’t wait another minute to get your teenager on the road to a lifelong healthy smile!

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