What is Invisalign Teen?

As a teenager, being told that you need orthodontic treatment can be a huge bummer. For starters, you are already probably busy with schoolwork, extra curricular activities, and a social life. Now you have to make time for orthodontic appointments. Not only that, but clunky wire braces are not ideal for yearbook or school dance photos. 

Lucky for you, orthodontic treatment is no longer what it was when your parents were teenagers. Now instead of traditional metal braces, you can opt for a more discreet treatment method that is just as effective. This method is called Invisalign Teen and it is specifically designed for teenagers who want to undergo orthodontic treatment without having to change their lifestyle. 

Teenage boy holding Invisalign aligner

Just like the traditional Invisalign clear aligners, Invisalign Teen uses an aligner system to gradually reposition the teeth. Unlike traditional metal braces, these aligners are barely noticeable and can be removed while eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. In simple terms, this means that your daily routine can continue almost the same as it was before. 

The only difference is that you will need to wear the aligners for about 20-22 hours a day. Basically, this just means that the only time you should remove the aligners is for eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. However, because Invisalign Teen aligners are so discreet, it is easy to leave them in place all day. 

While you wear the aligners, they will apply gentle, constant pressure that causes the teeth to shift in a certain direction. Depending on the treatment goals, the aligners can move the teeth up, down, sideways in either direction, or just slightly rotate them. Over the course of your treatment, this will cause your teeth and bite to shift into a more optimal position. 

In order to allow Invisalign Teen treatment to progress, you will need to schedule some orthodontic appointments. However, you will not need to schedule as many as you normally would with metal braces. The appointments themselves will also take less time. This is because there is no need to adjust things during your appointment. 

Teenagers laying on grass smiling

Instead you will simply receive a few aligners with instructions on when to progress to eat aligner. On average, each aligner is worn for about a week or two before being switched to the next aligner in the series. Since each aligner is slightly different in shape, progressing the aligners is similar to the adjustments that are needed for metal braces. Although switching aligners is a much faster and easier way to move your teeth. 

As a final perk, using clear Invisalign Teen aligners should not irritate the inside of your mouth the same way that metal braces would. This means the entire treatment should cause minimal discomfort. While you may experience brief periods of soreness when switching aligners, this can be easily fixed with over the counter medications and eating softer foods. 

With Invisalign Teen, having orthodontic treatment as a teenager doesn’t have to be the end of the world. Invisalign Teen allows you to receive effective orthodontic treatment without the cost of sacrificing your social life or lifestyle. For this reason, many teenagers are opting for clear aligner treatment. For more information, see the Invisalign Teen site or schedule a consultation with an Invisalign dentist near you. 

Dr. Dennis Laurich

Dr. Dennis Laurich has been practicing dentistry for over 40 years. He received his DDS degree from the University of Michigan Dental School and regularly attends oral health care conventions to continue his dental education. This allows him to treat patients with the leading dental technology and methodologies. Additionally, he is a member of the American Dental Association, Michigan Dental Association, and the Detroit District Dental Society. 

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