Invisalign For Teens

Perhaps more than any other time in life, the teen years are when appearance takes center stage. And when it’s time for orthodontic treatment, the #1 concern of many teens is the embarrassment of wearing metal brackets and wires. Fortunately, there’s another way! At The Smilist Dental Medford, we offer Invisalign Teen that provides the same great results as traditional braces, without the drawbacks. This option is designed to meets the particular needs of teenagers perfectly. If you have any questions about Invisalign for teens and or simply want to schedule a consultation, contact us today!

How Does Invisalign Teen Work?

Invisalign Teen works the same way as Invisalign for adults, relying on clear plastic aligners to create movement instead of metal brackets and wires. It’s often a great option for mild to moderate alignment issues such as overbites, underbites, crowding, gaps, and more. With that said, we may recommend traditional braces for more severe cases.

After a consultation to make sure Invisalign is right for your teen, we’ll start by taking digital impressions of their teeth and jaws. These images are then sent to the Invisalign lab where their aligner trays will be made. Then you’ll return for a second visit about 3 weeks later to pick up the first set of trays and your teen will get instructions for wearing and maintaining them. Each set of trays will be worn for around two weeks before they move to the next set and you’ll return every  4 to 8 weeks for progress visits.

How Does Invisalign Teen Differ From Invisalign For Adults?

Generally speaking, teens typically struggle a bit more than adults with compliance and are more prone to losing or damaging their trays. Here’s how Invisalign Teen addresses those issues:

• 6 replacement trays at no extra cost – If trays are wrapped in a napkin instead of being properly stored in their case during meals, it’s easy to accidentally throw them away. Invisalign Teen provides a little extra “insurance” by including 6 replacement trays at no additional charge.
• Trays include a blue indicator dot – Teens must wear their aligners at least 20-22 hours each day to get their results on time. To make sure they are, trays have a blue dot that fades over time when worn as directed, letting us know that your teen is complying with their treatment.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign Teen?

In addition to avoiding the embarrassment of metal braces, Invisalign offers several other benefits as well:

• No dietary restrictions – In metal braces, teens have to avoid any hard or crunchy foods that might break their brackets. With Invisalign, they can still eat their favorite foods without risk.
• Easier oral hygiene and fewer cavities – Teens often struggle with their brushing and flossing habits, and that becomes even more difficult in brackets and wires. Since they can remove their trays beforehand, it’s much easier for them to keep their teeth and gums healthy during treatment.

Improved comfort – Metal braces can easily irritate your teen's lips and cheeks and are an added concern when they’re playing sports. Invisalign aligner trays are smooth and comfortable.