Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign Teen is a special custom-made, clear aligner tray for the upper or lower teeth that can be changed every 2 to 10 weeks, depending on the severity of misalignment. Usually, treatment with Invisalign Teen lasts between 6 to 18 months. The clear trays are similar to dental retainers that are designed to keep the teeth from moving after they’ve been aligned. Invisalign Teen clear aligners are practically invisible, which makes them well-suited to teens. The clear aligners are usually made from a computer-generated mold or an impression of the patient’s natural teeth. This computer-generated mold is taken by a dentist or an orthodontist and the fitting is uniquely designed for each individual teen patient. The Invisalign Teen system is simple and it requires far less of parent’s time in terms of appointments than traditional braces. This teeth-straightening system is famous among adolescents for its effectiveness without the high maintenance required of traditional braces.

Teenagers love Invisalign Teen! There are many benefits to using Invisalign Teen for teeth straightening that are particularly relevant for teenagers. Though it isn’t always possible to use Invisalign Teen for teeth straightening due to the extent of misalignment of the teeth or due to other orthodontic issues when it is possible to use Invisalign Teen as a straightening system, our orthodontist, Dr. Shawn Yu, at the office of Beanca Chu, DDS, always recommends it! Teenagers who use the Invisalign Teen treatment system tend to suffer from fewer social stigmas, and they continue with their typical eating and oral hygiene habits. That means fewer disruptions in an adolescent’s life and most parents are happy about that! But below are some of the most important benefits that have made Invisalign Teen so popular among teenagers:

Patients can continue eating their favorite foods.

At Dr. Beanca Chu’s office, we know how important it is for teens to be able to continue eating their favorite foods. Food is a social thing, so teens who can continue to eat what the other teenagers are eating don’t have worry about the social implications of having to restrict their diet as a result of having traditional braces. And of course, when teens are able to continue eating the foods they most enjoy, they’ll feel happier throughout the course of treatment. Invisalign Teen requires few major changes in the adolescent’s life which means less stress for everyone in the family.

Oral hygiene won’t suffer as a result of Invisalign Teen straightening systems.

Braces require a special oral hygiene routine that’s unfamiliar to most teenagers. As a result, when adolescents get traditional braces, their oral health may suffer. But Invisalign Teen clear aligner trays can be removed from the mouth so teens can brush and floss their teeth as they always have. Over time, the enhanced oral hygiene from using Invisalign Teen to straighten the teeth as opposed to traditional braces can translate into huge savings in terms of future dental issues.

Invisalign Teen is less noticeable than traditional braces.

The Invisalign Teen clear aligner trays are practically invisible. Teens can continue to smile and speak with confidence while their teeth are being straightened. Photos are a huge part of most teens lives so the fact that Invisalign Teen trays are clear and nearly invisible is an important consideration. Teens who have senior pictures, homecoming, prom, selfies, or other events coming up are likely to really appreciate the fact that their Invisalign Teen aligner trays won’t be visible in photographs.

Invisalign Teen teeth straightening systems boost self-esteem.

Teenagers often suffer from self-esteem issues and braces can sometimes contribute to feelings of insecurity. One of the biggest benefits of Invisalign Teen for teens is the fact that this teeth-straightening system makes subtle, positive changes in the teenager’s appearance. As a result, teenagers feel a boost in their self-esteem throughout the process of having their teeth straightened. A lot of our teenage patients at Dr. Beanca Chu’s office have told us that they don’t feel awkward smiling while wearing Invisalign Teen braces and in fact, the knowledge that their teeth are getting straighter every day makes them feel more like smiling with confidence in social situations.

Patients require fewer appointments.

At Dr. Beanca Chu’s office, we know that parents and teens have busy lives. Fewer trips to the orthodontist can make a big difference in terms of the family stress level! Mom and Dad tend to be pretty happy about Invisalign Teen. Trips to the orthodontist average about one visit every 8 to 10 weeks and appointments are usually quick. There are no adjustments necessary, but just new trays to try on. As a result, Invisalign Teen frees up time in everyone’s schedule. So, though teeth become straighter, the high-maintenance aspect of traditional braces can be avoided using Invisalign Teen.

Athletes, stage performers, and marching band participants love Invisalign Teen!

It doesn’t matter what extracurricular activities your teen participates in, Invisalign Teen can help them perform better with more self-confidence. Athletes and musicians worry less about injuries to the mouth as a result of the wires and metal brackets of traditional braces. Invisalign Teen allows speech and drama performers to speak up with confidence while discreetly continuing to straighten their teeth.

If you’re interested in learning more about Invisalign Teen, contact our office today! We’d love to straighten your teen’s teeth and see them smile with confidence.