Plenty of people who need braces are interested in getting Invisalign, especially teenagers. Innovators in the field of orthodontics listened and came up with Invisalign Teen. This treatment allows some of the youngest patients to enjoy getting straight teeth as discreetly as possible. The only question to answer now: Is Invisalign Teen right for your child?
Is Your Teen Motivated?
Every orthodontic journey begins with a consultation with the orthodontist to determine what the teeth need and what treatments will work best. If your teen is a good candidate for Invisalign braces, then it’s time to think about whether they can handle all the elements of wearing clear aligners. Some things to consider:
- Your teen wants to look good. Some teens are determined to look good at all times and maintain a certain vibe in person, in photos, or on social media. They don’t want to interrupt their smile with braces, but are less likely to balk at clear trays that slowly but surely improve the alignment of their teeth.
- Innovation is cool to your teen. There are some people who line up to buy the newest smartphone when it is released. Other teenagers take this kind of motivation to their accessories. If Invisalign Teen is the coolest form of braces, they would prefer it over conventional brackets and wires.
Can Your Teen Handle the Work?
While your teen’s preferences for the type of gear they get on their teeth is important, parents usually consider the real logistics of wearing Invisalign Teen.
- Is your teen responsible? Teens’ lives are a little chaotic. Some are great at managing schoolwork, extracurriculars, chores, and downtime. If you have a focused, organized adolescent, Invisalign Teen may work better for them, even with all the rules like wearing the trays for 20 to 22 hours a day, removing aligners for meals, cleaning the trays every day, and changing aligners every two weeks.
- Does your teen have time? Some teens are involved in quite a few activities, from sports to clubs to parties. Every day demands a little bit of time devoted to Invisalign Teen. Your adolescent will need to talk to the orthodontist if they travel for games or need a mouthguard for sports or barely have room in their schedule to brush their teeth morning and night. Sometimes a teenager can handle the likes of Invisalign but permanent brackets and wires would serve them better.
Invisalign Teen: It’s a Lifestyle
Your teen may leave an aligner behind somewhere at some point, or accidentally break a tray, but Invisalign Teen has a few replacements built into the system (you don’t want this to happen regularly though). The teen trays are also marked with wear indicators, so the orthodontist knows who’s wearing the aligners as often as they’re supposed to.
What we know at Lawrenceville Orthodontists is that most of our Invisalign Teen patients are highly motivated to follow the guidelines for wearing Invisalign. They want to stay in those clear trays and make the treatment work so they can keep an unencumbered smile in front of their peers and family. Not sure if your teenager is a good candidate for Invisalign Teen? Contact Lawrenceville Orthodontists to schedule a consultation.