Invisalign for Teens: 5 Questions Parents Should Ask

When your teenager needs braces, there’s a lot to consider. If you’ve heard of clear aligners, you may want to learn more about Invisalign for teens. These nearly-invisible aligners aren’t for everyone, so it’s important to know as much as possible before you have your teen fitted for aligners. At South Anchorage Dental Center, we provide Invisalign treatment for both teens and adults. Here are five questions and answers to help you and your teen decide.

Are you considering Invisalign for your teen? Contact us at SADC today to schedule a consultation!

What You Need to Know about Invisalign for Teens

Asking questions is one of the best ways to learn about nearly anything. That’s why we encourage you to come to us with as many questions as you like about Invisalign for teens. In the meantime, here are the top five questions you should ask before getting clear aligners for your teen.

1. What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign are clear aligners that offer an alternative to traditional braces. When your teen wears them, all their friends see are your teen’s natural teeth. Invisalign aligners are more comfortable than braces, and teens usually prefer them because they don’t affect their appearance like traditional braces. They are custom-made to fit your teen’s teeth, snap easily into place, and can be easily removed for cleaning.

2. Does Invisalign Work as Well as Traditional Braces?

Yes. If your teen follows our recommendations for proper use, Invisalign should be just as effective for them as traditional braces.

3. How Long Does My Teen Have to Wear Invisalign?

There are two concerns with this question. First, how long does your teen need to wear the aligners daily? We recommend wearing them 20-22 hours per day. As it turns out, most teens wear their aligners for the recommended number of hours daily. Skipping days or taking the aligners out too often can slow down the results, but it’s usually best to remove them while eating or drinking.

Now, how long does Invisalign treatment take to achieve the best results? Approximately every two weeks, your teen gets a new aligner. Each aligner is a step in the process of straightening their teeth. This must be a gradual process to ensure the best outcome.

Invisalign takes about the same time to complete treatment as traditional braces. However, that time will vary depending on the types and severity of your teenager’s dentition problems. Examples of tooth alignment problems that Invisalign can treat include overbite, underbite, gaps between teeth, open bites, crossbites, crooked teeth, and more.

4. What Is the Cost of Invisalign Treatment?

The cost of Invisalign is about the same as that of traditional braces. At SADC, we offer many ways to pay for Invisalign for teens. We accept nearly every dental insurance plan. We are in-network with popular dental plans, including Aetna, Premera/Blue Cross/Blue Shield, ODS, MetLife, Delta Dental, Washington Dental, Cigna, and Denali Kid Care/Medicaid. In addition, you can take advantage of the SADC Dental Savings Plan to get $1,000 off of Invisalign treatment, even without insurance!

5. Is My Teen a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

In general, teens have most or all of their permanent teeth. This is the first requirement to be a good candidate for Invisalign. Usually, children should be at least 12 or 13 since, at that age, they can be more responsible about wearing the aligners appropriately.

In addition to age, the orthodontist considers the current condition of your teen’s teeth before recommending Invisalign or other orthodontic treatments. For that reason, we thoroughly examine your teenager’s teeth and mouth before recommending Invisalign treatment. We share our observations and insights, explaining the procedure and the expected results. Consulting with your dentist at SADC is the best way to determine if Invisalign aligners are right for your child.

Why Choose Invisalign for Teens?

If your teen needs braces, Invisalign may be the best choice for them if they:

• Worry about how they will look with traditional braces. Invisalign can help your teen maintain a higher level of self-confidence at this critical age.
• Want to eat whatever they like simply by removing their aligners.
• Might have trouble cleaning around braces and would do better by removing aligners to clean.
• Are concerned about the pain and discomfort of having wires and brackets on their teeth.
• Want the effectiveness of traditional braces without all the hassle.
• Play sports. Traditional braces can cause damage when sports accidents happen, but your teen can remove Invisalign aligners during practices and games to protect their teeth as well as the aligners.

Ultimately, the decision to get Invisalign for teens should be made between the parents, the teen, and the dental professional. If everyone is on board, the process can begin quickly and start your teen on a journey to a more attractive smile.

Choosing a Dentist for Invisalign

How do you choose the right dentist for your teen’s Invisalign treatment? First, you’ll want to find a dental practice near you, if possible, so that you can easily travel there for appointments. Although you won’t need to take your teen to the dentist as often as you would with traditional braces, you will still need to be able to get to the dentist for regular appointments. SADC’s convenient location in South Anchorage makes it the go-to option for our clients in Alaska.

In addition, you’ll want to take your teen to a dentist who provides services for adults and children. We suggest taking your teen to a family dentist familiar with all the unique needs and challenges of adolescence.

Most importantly, you should only take your teen to a reputable dentist with experience treating teens’ dental problems. The dental professionals at your chosen clinic should treat each person as valuable and unique. A friendly, supportive dental team makes your family’s experience much more positive and pleasant. SADC provides family-friendly dentistry, attending to your comfort, dental needs, and desires for a beautiful smile.

SADC Offers Invisalign for Teens!

Your teen’s Invisalign journey can begin with SADC. We start with a consultation to ensure your teen is a good candidate for Invisalign, answer your questions, and prepare your teen for their treatment. After your teen receives their first aligners, we begin routine visits to check their progress and adjust the treatment plan as needed. If you or they have any questions or concerns along the way, we are here to answer them.

At South Anchorage Dental Center, we have extensive knowledge of dental problems that can be corrected with Invisalign and the proper treatment procedures. We work with patients who choose Invisalign clear aligners frequently, so we know the most common questions and challenges of wearing aligners. We also know the difficulties of wearing traditional braces, so we have expert insight into the differences. At the same time, we recognize the importance of helping teens retain their self-esteem during Invisalign treatment and after achieving their best smile.

Would you like to discuss getting Invisalign for your teen? We’re here to help! Contact us today for your teen’s Invisalign consultation!