What is Invisalign Teen?
Balhoff Orthodontics discusses Invisalign Teen and whether it may be right for your teenager.
No teenager wants to hear the dreaded words “you need braces.” While orthodontics is a rite of passage for many adolescents, technology has advanced so much that your teen no longer needs to stick out like a sore thumb. At Balhoff Orthodontics, your teen can discover the power of Invisalign Teen.
What is Invisalign Teen?
Invisalign Teen is the revolutionary way for your teen to get the healthy bite and straighter smile they deserve without looking like a metal mouth.
Invisalign Teen consists of a series of aligners that are so clear they are virtually invisible. They are custom designed for your teen’s unique smile and fit snugly over the teeth to guide them to their new locations. Your teen will simply wear each aligner set for approximately 22 hours a day for 10-14 days before moving on to the next set in the series.
What are the advantages of Invisalign Teen?
Teens love Invisalign because their aligners are also removable. That means your child doesn’t have to say goodbye to their favorite foods during treatment. They can eat and drink whatever they want because they simply remove the aligners. They also don’t have to worry about getting stuck in an embarrassing situation – there are no brackets or wires for food to get stuck in.
Your teen will love Invisalign because it’s:
- Clear – the aligners are made of clear plastic that is almost invisible when in
- Removable – pop out the aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss
- Comfortable – no metal to irritate the mouth
- Easy – Invisalign fits into even the busiest lifestyle
What if my teen is forgetful?
Many parents worry that Invisalign may not be right for their teens since it is removable. Patient compliance is a big component of Invisalign, so your teen must be committed to wearing the aligners as directed by their orthodontist.
But don’t worry – the makers of Invisalign have added compliance indicators to Invisalign Teen. These appear as tiny blue dots on the backs of the aligners. They aren’t visible when your child is wearing the aligners, but they tell you if your teen is wearing them as they should. As the aligners are worn, the blue dots will fade, giving you the evidence you need to know your teen is wearing the aligners for the recommended number of hours.
Isn’t Invisalign Teen expensive?
When Invisalign was first introduced, it was more expensive than traditional braces. However, the cost of Invisalign today is similar to that of metal braces. Invisalign is often covered under dental insurance plans.
How does my teen get started?
All it takes is an initial consultation to begin your teen’s path to a new smile.