The most subtle approach to teeth straightening for teenagers

Is it your teenagers dream to have straighter teeth, but they’re worried about the aesthetics of metal traditional braces? Many questions among young people can arise, such as: What will my friends think? or How will braces affect me at school?

Well at Straight Orthodontics we offer Invisalign, the subtle popular option for both adults and teens.

Why teen orthodontics is important

During the teen years, it’s the best time to fix orthodontic issues, as the mouth and jawbones are still growing, making it easier to alter and straighten smiles.

Between the ages of 11 to 14 is the ideal age bracket to commence orthodontic treatment, as all baby teeth have been lost. This is the perfect time to correct permanent tooth issues causing bad bites, improper spacing or alignment issues.

The longer you leave orthodontic issues unchecked, the more complex the treatment can become.

Treatment for teenagers depending on the extent of the issues can involve Invisalign teen aligners, metal bracers or ceramic bracers.

What is Teen Invisalign?

Teen Invisalign aligner treatment involves a series of trays made from a special clear plastic designed by Invisalign, called SmartTrack.

The benefit of Invisalign for teenagers is that the trays are clear and practically invisible. There are no brackets, wires or rubber bands involved. Which is why teenagers can feel more confident wearing Invisalign over bracers treatment.

The difference between Invisalign for teen and adults is that teenager trays are developed for patients who are still growing.

Each sequential tray is slightly straighter than the previous tray, to accommodate for the straightened and more aligned teeth as treatment goes forwards.

Every two weeks is generally when the new tray should replace the old tray.

Blue Dot Compliance Indicator

This indicator is used to examine whether the teenager has been wearing their aligners. The blue dot fades as the aligners become worn and show when it’s time to change to the next sequential tray.

Free Replacement Aligners

Invisalign offers up to six free aligner replacements for free in the scenario that an aligner is lost.

Eruption Tabs

Teen Invisalign accommodates for second molars by including eruption tabs in the aligner. These eruption tabs make sure there is enough room to allow for a natural eruption.

What is the Invisalign process?

The Invisalign treatment process is simple, easy and will quickly have you or your child on their way to achieving a dream smile!

The Teen Invisalign process begins with an initial appointment at Straight Orthodontics, where we will determine whether the clear aligner or another treatment is more suitable.

During the appointment, our team will answer all your questions regarding Invisalign treatment and make sure you fully understand the journey to achieving the best smile.

Once it’s decided that Teen Invisalign is the appropriate treatment, we will perform digital scans to create 3D digital images of the mouth, which will be used to form an individually customised treatment journey, unique to yours or your child’s mouth! This will be yours or your child’s very own personalised roadmap towards a straighter smile!

If everyone is happy with the roadmap, the custom aligners will be made using the accurate 3D images, to makes for perfectly fitting aligners. Invisalign aligners are made from a clear flexible plastic known as SmartTrack and should correctly fit over the teeth and along the gumline.

When our team at Straight Orthodontics receives the Invisalign aligners, we will make sure they fit well and that everything is clear! Because our number one priority is to make sure you, or your child feel comfortable and safe using Invisalign treatment.

How long does Teen Invisalign treatment take?

Unfortunately, treatment time is different for every patient. However generally Teen Invisalign takes 6 to 30 months to straighten your smile. Once the Invisalign treatment is over, a retainer will need to be worn for another period of time, our orthodontist can discuss this with you on appointment.

But don’t worry, because once the treatment ends, the new smile to be proud of will be yours or your child’s for an entire lifetime.

Advantages of Teen Invisalign

Invisible

Teen Invisalign is virtually invisible, as they are made from a clear plastic. This means teenagers do not have to be self-conscious about having bracers and instead feel confident while wearing Teen Invisalign. They won’t have to worry as much about the common teasing issue that some children with braces face.

Removable

Invisalign clear aligners are removable, and should be removed for eating, cleaning and whenever suits. However, they must be worn for at least 22 hours a day.

Comfortable

Teen Invisalign clear aligners are more comfortable than traditional metal braces, which is great, especially for teenagers. Pain and discomfort is usually only relevant during the first two days of wear.

Wear Invisalign comfortably and confidently!

Begin the Teen Invisalign journey by contacting our team at Straight Orthodontics. We are happy to answer any questions or to book in an appointment by clicking here.


Frequently Asked Questions

Invisalign Teen can impact your lifestyle in a few ways. Here are some things to consider:
 

  1. Eating: With Invisalign Teen, you’ll need to remove your aligners every time you eat or drink anything other than water. This means you’ll need to be more mindful of your eating habits and plan accordingly.
  2. Oral hygiene: It’s important to keep your teeth and aligners clean during treatment. This means brushing and flossing after every meal and snack and cleaning your aligners regularly. This may require a little extra effort and time in your daily routine.
  3. Sports and activities: Invisalign Teen is a good option for teens who play sports or musical instruments, as the aligners are removable. However, you’ll need to wear a mouthguard over your aligners during contact sports to protect your teeth.
  4. Social situations: Invisalign Teen is virtually invisible, which can be a big advantage in social situations where you may feel self-conscious about wearing braces. However, you’ll still need to remove your aligners before eating, which may take some getting used to.
     
    Overall, Invisalign Teen can be a convenient and effective option for straightening your teeth. However, it does require some adjustments to your lifestyle and daily routine. It’s important to discuss these factors with your orthodontist to make sure Invisalign Teen is the right choice for you.

For the best results, your teen should wear their Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. This means that they should only remove the aligners for eating, drinking (other than water), brushing, and flossing.
 
Consistency in wearing the aligners is key to the success of the treatment. If the aligners are not worn for the recommended amount of time each day, the treatment may take longer than expected or may not achieve the desired results. Your teen should also switch to a new set of aligners approximately every two weeks, as recommended by their orthodontist.
 
It’s important to note that your teen’s individual treatment plan may vary depending on their specific orthodontic needs. Your orthodontist will provide instructions on how long your teen should wear their aligners each day, and they will monitor their progress throughout the treatment to ensure that they are on track to achieve the desired results.

As a parent, it’s natural to want to ensure that your teen is following their Invisalign treatment plan and wearing their aligners as instructed. Here are a few ways to know if your teen is wearing their aligners:

  1. Ask them: The simplest way to find out if your teen is wearing their aligners is to ask them directly. Encourage open and honest communication and make it clear that you want to support their orthodontic treatment.
  2. Check the aligners: You can also check the aligners themselves to see if they are being worn as directed. If your teen is following the recommended wear time, the aligners should show signs of wear and tear, such as slight discolouration or minor scratches.
  3. Schedule regular check-ups: Your teen will have regular check-ups with their orthodontist throughout their Invisalign treatment. During these appointments, the orthodontist can evaluate their progress and ensure that the aligners are being worn correctly.

It’s important to remember that Invisalign treatment requires commitment and cooperation from both the patient and the parent. Encourage your teen to follow their treatment plan and provide support and motivation along the way.