A Parent’s Guide to Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign® for Teens is a low-maintenance, effective way to correct misaligned teeth. However, it is normal for parents to have questions about this orthodontic treatment. This guide will cover the basics of Invisalign treatment and what parents can expect throughout it.

Understanding Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign treatment comprises a series of aligner trays, each gradually shifting the teeth into proper alignment. The aligners consist of medical-grade clear plastic, allowing for discreet treatment without any metal wires or noticeable brackets. In addition, the patient can remove their clear aligners whenever they need to. That means eating, drinking, and brushing the teeth without any obstructions.

What Invisalign can correct

Parents may consider Invisalign for various types of misaligned teeth, or malocclusions. Examples include:

• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites
• Crowded teeth
• Crooked teeth

No matter the malocclusion, the dental provider will use digital mapping to create aligner sets unique to each patient. These aligners will apply force without causing too much discomfort. Custom aligners also aim to take the most efficient and strategic path to realignment, shortening treatment times. The average treatment time for teen patients is about 12 to 18 months.

How old does your teen have to be to qualify?

Any teenager is old enough to start Invisalign treatment. In fact, according to Invisalign, children as young as six may qualify. This is because candidacy is more dependent on whether it is ideal to correct the malocclusion with aligners and if the patient can stay committed to wearing them for the majority of the day, every day. Patients must wear the aligner trays for about 20 to 22 hours daily to ensure they are effective.

What to expect throughout your teen’s treatment

Everyone’s treatment plan will look different. However, here are a few common things most parents can expect from Invisalign for Teens:

Clear, confident teeth straightening

It is normal for a teenager to feel uncomfortable or nervous about getting braces. This is often due to how noticeable they can be. Thankfully, this is not an issue with Invisalign—clear aligners can help a teen smile confidently at every stage of treatment.

No dietary restrictions

Since patients take out Invisalign aligners for eating, there are no dietary restrictions to worry about. Patients can eat whatever they want, from chips to pizza crust and more. If patients want to drink soda or hot beverages like coffee or tea, they simply need to remove their aligners first to avoid damage. However, make sure to limit time spent not wearing aligners to avoid treatment delays.

Routine checkups to ensure smooth sailing

Parents can expect their teenagers to have routine checkups, about every six to eight weeks, to ensure Invisalign treatment is going as planned. During these checkups, the dental provider will assess how the teeth are shifting and provide the next few sets of aligner trays.

Blue compliance dots are always an option

If a patient has trouble remembering to wear the aligners, the dental provider may recommend adding blue compliance dots to the next few trays. These dots are put toward the back of the aligners and will fade with use. Dental providers and parents can check the brightness of these dots periodically to determine whether the teen is wearing their aligners as directed.