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Is Your Teen Responsible Enough For Invisalign?

Cherrywood Dental • Aug 02, 2018
Invisalign orthodontic treatments are becoming increasingly popular with both adults and teens, and it’s easy to see why. With the ability to straighten a smile all while being virtually undetectable, more and more of today’s teens are asking their parents for the option of Invisalign rather than traditional braces.

Your initial thought might be that there is no way your teen is responsible enough to manage their own aligners to gradually straighten their teeth, but you may want to think again. Invisalign offers an alternative to traditional braces that many teens and parents find fits their lifestyle, and Invisalign is easier to manage than you might think.

The Difference Between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen

For the most part, Invisalign and Invisalign Teen only have two major differences. They are both similar in shape, material, and patient treatment time. The two major differences in treatment are:

The Dot

The first major difference in the two orthodontic treatment options is a small dot on the back of only Invisalign Teen aligners. This dot is used to let us know how often your teen is actually wearing their aligners. The more the aligners are worn, the more the dot changes in color from blue to clear or white. Because Invisalign aligners require being worn a minimum of 22 hours a day, this small dot allows for both doctor and patient to check their progress to ensure they are right on track with the treatment schedule.

Replacement Aligners

The second major difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen is the number of aligners provided throughout treatment. Invisalign provides more replacement aligners for those with Invisalign Teen just in case a set gets broken or lost because we understand that teens aren’t always as careful with where they place things as an adult would be. We want to ensure you walk away with the smile of your dreams and replacement aligners help us keep you on track with your treatment.

Why Teens Love Invisalign

Besides the obvious reasons, teens are able to transform their smile without the use of bulky and noticeable braces, and this is making for happier orthodontic patients (and parents too!) everywhere. Here are the top reasons why teens say they love Invisalign.

Style Matters

If your teen enjoys their orthodontic treatment, they are going to be more committed to following it through. Orthodontic treatments are not a one visit and done type of commitment, and it’s up to your teen to remember to wear their aligners, keep track of appointments, and take care of their teeth while going through treatment. Studies have shown that teens wear their Invisalign aligners for an average of 21 hours per day, which confirms what we already know about teens – style matters!

Easy To Use

One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign for any patient, whether adult or teen, is that this alternative to traditional braces is incredibly easy to use. Functioning like a removable retainer, your teen will take them in and out as needed because there is nothing fixed in place like traditional metal braces. This also means that there’s no risk of them eating certain foods that put their brackets and wires at a risk of breaking, and it also keeps them from missing out on things like a pizza party with friends, or taking a big bite out of a burger without worrying about food being stuck in their braces.

Healthier Teeth Post Treatment

Since the aligners are completely removable, it’s easy to keep teeth clean when going through treatment. Aligners also lessen the chance of developing stains or even cavities because food doesn’t get stuck along the brackets and underneath wires. As an added bonus, teeth need to be cleaned before the aligners are replaced after eating, so your teen will be doing some extra cleaning during treatment.

Comfort is Key

Many Invisalign patients make comments about how comfortable their treatment is. Any time you are moving teeth, there is bound to be some level of discomfort whether you’re wearing traditional metal braces or Invisalign. Switching to a new aligner will make teeth slightly sore for a day or two, but aligners do not rub sores against the cheeks and inside of the mouth like traditional metal brackets and wires do, which reduces the chances of getting sores and cuts during treatment.

To learn more about whether Invisalign Teen is an alternative to traditional braces for your teen, schedule an appointment with Cherrywood Dental Associates. Together, we can give your teen the smile of their dreams!
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