Can Teenagers Have Invisalign Treatment?

Getting braces is not something that most teens look forward to. Invisalign® Teen may be an alternative to braces for teens. Are you wondering if they may be an option for your teen? Read on to learn more details about this treatment and how it works.

How Invisalign Teen differs from Invisalign

Invisalign designs and markets a different treatment option for teens, which the company calls Invisalign Teen. The primary difference between the two products is that Invisalign Teen has a set of blue indicator dots. When the patient wears the aligners, the dots fade. If the dots on the teen's aligners are not fading, that may indicate that the teen is not wearing them long enough to be effective. The dots also help the orthodontist judge when it is time to switch to a new set of aligners.

Advantages and disadvantages of Invisalign for teens

The clear plastic aligners apply pressure to the teeth to shift them into the desired position, similar to traditional braces. Some teens prefer this treatment because of its advantages, but it also has drawbacks.

Removability

Because traditional braces remain in place all the time, it can be difficult to thoroughly brush and floss the teeth, which can sometimes contribute to tooth decay. Clear aligners are easy to remove, allowing the patient to brush and floss the way they did before they began the treatment.

Has greater comfort

This alternative to braces for teens may be more comfortable for teens to wear. The wires and brackets of traditional braces can rub against the inside of the cheeks and lips, causing sore spots. Invisalign does not cause this type of irritation.

Preserves self-confidence

While teens may not be bothered by the appearance of braces as much as some adults, many teens still feel self-conscious about their braces. However, clear aligners are less noticeable, which may reduce your teen's anxiety about wearing them.

Needs fewer emergency dental visits

The wires and brackets of traditional braces can break or crack. When this happens, you may have to schedule an emergency appointment for repairs, which can be expensive and inconvenient. There are no brackets or wires to break with Invisalign treatments.

Requires compliance to be effective

Traditional braces force compliance because your teen can not remove them. Since patients can remove clear aligners, there is a risk the teen will not wear the treatment for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day. If your teen does not wear the aligners enough, the treatment may not work.

May not be covered by insurance

Some insurance policies may not cover the cost of Invisalign treatments. You may want to check with your insurance company before choosing a treatment option.

Can be lost

The ability to remove the aligners creates the possibility of losing them. If your teen is likely to remove the aligners and then forget them someplace, you may want to consider other treatment options.