If you're a teenager with crooked or misaligned teeth, you know how much of a downer it can be. And we get it — it can really have an impact on your self-confidence, especially at a time in your life when you really just want to be yourself!
We've seen Invisalign treatment straighten teeth for literally millions of teens17, so we know how exciting the prospect of getting Invisalign clear aligners can be. So how can you explore Invisalign as a teeth straightening option?
Good question! Let's take a look at the aspects that we find most teens and parents are wondering about when it comes to considering Invisalign treatment for teens.
1. Why crooked teeth can be a problem
Crooked teeth can lead to things like:
Gum disease and tooth decay, which can be painful and costly to treat
Difficulty eating certain foods, which could impact your health long-term
Tooth grinding or jaw pain — all of which are uncomfortable and, in the case of teeth grinding, can cause permanent damage18
As an example, when your teeth are crooked or crowded, it makes it harder to keep them clean, because your brushing and flossing can't reach all the nooks and crannies of your teeth. When this happens, plaque builds up19, and then that plaque might turn to tartar20 (which is harder), which can then in turn lead to gum disease.
When you have straighter teeth though, it's way easier for you to brush and floss your teeth effectively, which helps reduce your risk of plaque buildup21 and gingivitis22 (the beginning of gum disease).
No need for painful, invasive procedures with wires or brackets
Flexible treatment timelines that fit around your schedule
No wires means no wire breakages and fewer emergency visits to the doctor
Parents might think of Invisalign treatment as an investment in the future. For example, if you start Invisalign treatment now, a potential increase in self-confidence, self-assurance and more expressiveness might give a boost much sooner in life.
Speak to other teens and parents that have used, or are using, Invisalign clear aligners. With over 15 million smiles and counting, it is the clear alternative to metal braces.
3. How does Invisalign treatment work
Parents might still only be familiar with the old-school style of metal braces which may have all sorts of negative connotations23 attached to them — even they might have some nightmares about the time they used to wear braces!
Invisalign treatment includes a series of clear plastic aligners that are custom-made for your teeth. If your doctor has an iTero 3D scanner, it starts with a simple digital scan. Invisalign’s advanced software along with data from millions of patients helps doctors plan out your every single tooth movement needed to achieve your dream smile. You may even be able to see the simulated outcome of your new smile on a screen before you even begin treatment!
Each clear aligner is worn for about a week or two on average, and as you change to the next set of clear aligners, your teeth slowly shift into position. This means that it's possible to straighten teeth without having metal brackets or wires poking around in your mouth — which can be uncomfortable and even painful at times. You will wear each set of aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day to get the smile you want, only removing them to enjoy your food and drinks as always!
At the end of the day, Invisalign treatment is completely different to old-school metal braces, and hopefully, your parents will be interested to see how far teeth-straightening technology has come since they were teens. Read more on our website here!
4. Invisalign treatment won’t affect your lifestyle
This is a really important point to make, because parents might be worried that Invisalign treatment will mean making lots of lifestyle changes that could impact schooling or social life. But the great thing about Invisalign clear aligners is that they're practically transparent and are removable, so it doesn’t affect how you look or your lifestyle!
You can easily take your aligners out to eat, drink, and brush and floss your teeth, so you don't have to worry about any of the hassles that come with metal braces.
Another big benefit of Invisalign clear aligners is that they won't affect being active or playing sports. With metal braces, there's always the risk of them getting damaged or causing you pain if you play contact sports, but because Invisalign clear aligners are more comfortable than braces3 you don't have to worry about that at all. Keep your Invisalign clear aligners in all day and enjoy your life as usual!
5. The cost of Invisalign treatment and payment options
When talking about costs, it’s all about what value is ultimately created compared to other teeth straightening options for teens. This is something that each parent and teen will determine for themselves when considering some of the points we have brought up in this article.
Your Invisalign doctor may offer a payment plan, and you can check with your health insurance provider, which can make the cost of Invisalign treatment more manageable.
Bottom line: don't be afraid to ask your Invisalign doctor questions about the cost of Invisalign treatment and explore all the possible options before making a decision.
You will almost certainly have other questions about how Invisalign treatment works, and rightly so — teeth straightening is a medical procedure after all.
While you may have picked up lots of info in your research, it’s always important to talk to a dentist or orthodontist who can help out with the facts. You can do this by setting up a consultation with one of our Invisalign doctors using our doctor locator or Smile Concierge.
Take advantage of our be clear on the facts information and checklist to download and help you ask all the questions you need answered. Again, Invisalign treatment is a great solution for nearly all types of teeth misalignment, but it is still a medical procedure, so both you and your parents deserve to know the facts in their entirety.
What should you be asking your dentist when it comes to straightening your teeth? Here are the top six things to ask your dentist.Read now
Disclaimer: The information contained in this website are for educational and informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Please seek the advice of your health care provider with any questions you may have regarding any dental or medical-related condition and never disregard or delay seeking such advice because of something you have read on this website.
