Invisalign® for teens is now more popular than ever. These nearly invisible orthodontic devices allow teens to straighten their teeth discreetly and effectively. Image-conscious patients can benefit from orthodontic treatment without the hassle of brackets and wires.
Invisalign for teens is available at Oak Tree Dental in Poway and the surrounding area. Our team can handle your child's orthodontic needs. Call us today at (858) 748-2101 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Treatment differences between teens and adults
While both teens and adults can benefit from Invisalign treatment, there are some treatment differences due to varying stages of growth and development. Adults' bones have finished growing, whereas most teens' jaws are still in the process of developing. As such, Invisalign treatment for teens must account for the changes that are still taking place in their mouths, such as new teeth and molar eruptions.
Since teens are still growing, their bones and tissues tend to be more responsive to orthodontic treatment. This means that the length of Invisalign treatment for teens will often be faster than for adults. Besides these differences, Invisalign treatment for adults and teens is very similar and can treat the same types of dental issues in both age groups.
“While both teens and adults can benefit from Invisalign treatment, there are some treatment differences due to varying stages of growth and development.”
Refitting Invisalign aligners
Invisalign for teens works through a series of aligners that apply gradual pressure to teeth to shift them into place over time. Patients will receive a precise treatment plan that involves moving their teeth in successive increments. Most teens will not need aligner refitting throughout the treatment process since each set of trays in the series will shift a certain part of their teeth.
In some cases, we will notice that a patient's teeth are not moving into position exactly as planned. This can happen in adults and teens with Invisalign due to broken aligners, dental treatment, or complex and slow tooth movements. When this happens, we may need to refit the aligners so the patient can receive a new set of aligners to get their teeth back on track.
“Most teens will not need aligner refitting throughout the treatment process since each set of trays in the series will shift a certain part of their teeth.”
Designed just for teens
Align Technologies designed Invisalign Teen with teenagers in mind. Invisalign Teen remains a preferred treatment for many teenagers as the invisible trays are removed for eating, drinking, and engaging in activities. For treatment to be as effective as possible, teens will need to wear their aligners for a minimum of 22 hours a day. That gives them plenty of time to take them out for eating, cleaning, and engaging in extracurricular activities such as band practice or sports. Designed to be discreet, Invisalign trays can be worn at other times without disrupting a teen's life or making them feel self-conscious about the appearance of their smile.
One of the greatest advantages of Invisalign Teen remains its nearly-invisible trays. Less than one millimeter in thickness, these clear aligners offer teens a far less invasive alternative to traditional metal braces. The clear aligners come computer-manufactured and completely customized to fit the patient's mouth. It slides comfortably over the surfaces of teeth and can be removed to eat, drink, brush, floss, and engage in activities such as sports and playing musical instruments.
“Less than one millimeter in thickness, these clear aligners offer teens a far less invasive alternative to traditional metal braces.”
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Invisalign utilizes advanced materials and equipment to make patients' lives easier and create great smiles. These aligners consist of SmartTrack™ plastic that is only available with Invisalign treatment. Invisalign spent eight years developing and testing 260 materials to engineer the SmartTrack material.
This medical-grade, multi-layered polyurethane plastic is FDA-approved and safe and comfortable for teens. Its flexibility and durability make it an ideal choice for orthodontic treatment since it is resistant to damage and breakage. Using this material allows our team to move teeth with control, speed, comfort, and predictability.
“These aligners consist of SmartTrack™ plastic that is only available with Invisalign treatment.”
Questions answered on this page
Q. What are the benefits for teenagers wearing Invisalign Teen?
Q. Why is Invisalign Teen the preferred treatment for many teens?
Q. What is the difference in Invisalign treatment for teens and adults?
Q. Will teens need refitted Invisalign aligners?
People also ask
Q. What steps are involved with getting Invisalign?
Q. Are braces or Invisalign aligners more effective?
Why teens prefer Invisalign
Invisalign Teen is the preferred orthodontic treatment for many teenagers today. Teens feel less self-conscious wearing the aligners because of their nearly invisible design compared to traditional braces that remain difficult to hide. Teens also enjoy the freedom (engage in activities, eat their favorite foods, ect.) that comes with removable trays.
Patients who are concerned about pain may prefer Invisalign Teen as their smooth design provides enhanced comfort compared to bulky metal braces. The trays use slower, more gentle movements than traditional braces so any pain and discomfort is minimal, typically mild and temporary. If particularly sensitive to pain, Invisalign Teen offers an ideal option for teens.
“Invisalign Teen is the preferred orthodontic treatment for many teenagers today.”
Frequently asked questions
If a patient loses their aligner, they should consult our team first. Possible options may be using the prior set of aligners, moving on to the next, or receiving a replacement. We will help patients choose the right option to maintain their progress.
Unlike traditional braces, there are no dietary restrictions with Invisalign. This is because Invisalign is removable, so patients can remove their aligners before eating. Teens should make sure not to eat or drink with their aligners to prevent staining, breakage, or bacteria accumulation.
Teens must wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day. Invisalign aligners only work when they touch the teeth, so it is crucial to wear them for long enough. Patients can remove their aligners during activities, including eating, drinking, cleaning teeth, and playing sports.
If a patient does not wear their aligners for long enough, their treatment will not progress as planned. Not wearing aligners for an extended amount of time can cause teeth to move back and the aligner trays to not fit properly. Teens must be committed throughout the treatment process to get the desired results.
The length of treatment will vary on the patient's diagnosis. However, treatment can take 10 to 24 months. Our team can provide a more precise timeline after an examination.
Invisalign® terminology
With Invisalign® treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign® process.
ClinCheck® software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient’s teeth will go through with Invisalign® in great detail.
The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
An iTero Element® scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient’s teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign®.
An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign® aligners.
SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient’s teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
Smart Track® material is in Invisalign® aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment and applies a gentle force to the teeth over time.
Learn more about Invisalign Teen today
If you would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen for your child, call Oak Tree Dental in Poway at 858-748-2101 to learn more.
Individual results vary. How long a treatment lasts, and how it looks and feels, depends on each patient.