How Invisalign Can Straighten a Teenager’s Teeth

If your teen needs teeth straightening, Invisalign® Teen is one potential option you can choose. The treatment has both benefits and drawbacks when compared to traditional braces.

Invisalign treatment for teens

Invisalign is a brand of clear aligners that can be used in place of traditional braces for straightening teeth. The Invisalign Teen treatment differs only slightly from the adult option. The aligners in the teen version have a series of blue dots that fade as the aligners are worn. This helps parents determine whether their teen is wearing the treatment long enough to effectively straighten the teeth.

Dental issues that can be treated with Invisalign

Several dental issues can be treated with these aligners:

• Crowded teeth
• Gaps in teeth
• Open bite
• Some kinds of underbite, overbite, and crossbite

How the treatment works

The process begins with a dentist creating a 3-D image of the patient's jaw and mouth. This image is used to create a plan for moving the teeth into the desired position. The dentist then uses the treatment plan to manufacture a series of customized plastic aligners. The aligners straighten teeth by applying pressure that gradually shifts the teeth into the desired position.

As the teeth are moved, the patient must periodically change to a new set of aligners. This usually happens about once every one to two weeks. The patient needs to wear the aligners 20 to 22 hours per day.

Factors that affect how well the treatment works

The aligners can be removed for eating, drinking, brushing, flossing, and cleaning the aligners. However, the patient should avoid removing the aligners any more often than necessary. Additionally, the patient should not clean the aligners with hot water. Hot water may warp the plastic, which can alter the fit and make the aligners less effective. The complexity of the patient's dental issues can also affect how well the treatment works. It may take more time for the treatment to correct complex bite or spacing issues.

Advantages and disadvantages of Invisalign for teens

There are several reasons Invisalign Teen may be preferable to traditional braces. There are also some concerns.

Less Noticeable

The aligners are not truly invisible, but they are significantly less noticeable than traditional braces. This may be beneficial for teens who dislike the aesthetic appearance of traditional braces or feel self-conscious about wearing braces.

Removable

The ability to remove the treatment is both a benefit and a drawback. Teens who are careful not to lose the aligners and are vigilant about wearing them the recommended time can benefit from being able to remove the treatment to eat, brush, floss, and clean the aligners. Food particles can become trapped in traditional braces, and it is not easy to brush and floss around the wires. Removing the aligners for eating and cleaning can help prevent tooth decay.