Angeline is on her eighth set of Invisalign Teen aligners right now, and because she fell behind due to losing her aligners and then getting sick in August, I don’t have any new news to share on her Invisalign treatment. While we are playing catch up, I thought that I would share some general information about the Invisalign Teen treatment since I’ve had so many friends and family ask me questions.
What is Invisalign Teen?
While Invisalign is an alternative to traditional braces, the new Invisalign Teen treatment system combines the benefits of the Invisalign Full system with new features like Compliance Indicators, Eruption Tabs that accommodate the growth of secondary molars, Replacement Aligners and other features that address the clinical needs that are common to teen patients.
The Compliance Indicators are my favorite – they are little blue tabs inside the aligners that gradually fade as the aligner is worn, so parents and your child’s orthodontist know when the teen hasn’t been wearing their aligners as much as they are supposed to!
What are the Advantages of Invisalign Teen Treatment over Traditional Braces?
We all know that teens can have a tough time with self esteem and social anxiety – and having dental issues certainly doesn’t help. When wearing traditional metal braces, teens not only face the issue of dental problems, but the braces affect their appearance on top of issues they’re already having.
Invisalign Teen Aligners are nearly invisible!
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign’s near-invisibility makes treatment inconspicuous so that no one knows your teen is undergoing treatment for their dental issues. No one has to know that your teen is wearing their Invisalign Teen aligners! Though, Angeline was so proud of her aligners that she was telling all of her friends and showing them off when she first got them last year.
Invisalign Teen Aligners don’t interfere with activities!
Due to their fitting so smoothly over your teens teeth, the Invisalign Aligners don’t interfere with teen activities like sports or playing musical instruments. Kids can still wear mouth guards over their aligners, or play musical instruments that require them to place the instrument between their lips.
Invisalign Teen Aligners are removable!
Since teens can take the aligners out to brush and floss, they can maintain normal, healthy hygiene during treatment but they can still eat whatever they want! This is not the case with metal braces, as there are certain foods you’re not able to eat while wearing them – and of course, you can’t take them out just to enjoy a meal! Just make sure that your teen carries their Invisalign carrying case with them everywhere because Angeline lost a set by putting them in a napkin while she ate her lunch!
Invisalign Teen Aligners are more comfortable than regular braces!
Invisalign Teen Aligners are made of lightweight plastic that is custom-fitted to each patient’s teeth. There are no worries about metal brackets or wires cutting your teen’s gums. Invisalign Teen aligners are changed every two weeks so that the tightness one would normally feel with the tightening of metal braces is spread out over a longer period, meaning less pain!
Invisalign Teen solves a variety of dental problems with a new technology and a fresh approach. Like traditional braces, Invisalign Teen effectively straightens teeth – but it’s done in style!
Thanks for sharing the advantages!
I didn’t realized there were no food restrictions! That’s VERY nice!
Based on what the dentist told us, my daughter will need braces, so this information is invaluable to me. Thanks!!
Compliance indicators. Nice! I needed those with my retainer. 🙂
Oh how I wish our insurance would have covered these. Alas our daughter had to wear metal braces for 3 years – now she over indulges in corn on the cob and snickers bars since she had them taken off LOL!
I think I am going to look into these for my son!