Is Invisalign Right for My Teenager?

The teen years are prime time to make alignment changes and correct crooked teeth. Teens are old enough to be physically mature, but still young enough that bone tissue hasn’t fully hardened as it will in adulthood. 

Since straightening teeth requires influencing the movement of a tooth’s root through the bone of the jaws, the young state of teenage physiology makes the task easier. Invisalign® has some other advantages to make teeth alignment attractive through the high school years. 

We’re proud to offer Invisalign services to all of our patients here at New York Dental Health in the Bronx and New York City. While Invisalign is well-suited to teens, sometimes teens aren’t well-suited for Invisalign. 

Invisalign can tackle most mild and moderate teeth alignment problems, but some extreme cases are best left for conventional orthodontics. Invisalign clear aligner trays are also removable, an advantage that becomes a liability for children who are forgetful or who lack the self-discipline necessary for successful treatment. 

Is Invisalign right for your teenager? It could be, but let’s take a closer look at treatment and the commitment it requires. 

Candidates for Invisalign

There are a few fundamental requirements for Invisalign treatment. The primary qualification is that a patient is old enough to have all of their permanent teeth in place to assure stable and predictable movement of teeth. 

Your teen may also be a good candidate if they meet the following criteria: 

• Have mild or moderate teeth alignment problems, including crowding, gaps, and some bite issues
• Are committed to good oral hygiene: Care of both teeth and aligners is crucial to Invisalign treatment
• Are self-conscious about their appearance: Invisalign is the most discreet form of tooth alignment
• Have an active lifestyle: Invisalign’s trays swap out easily for sports mouthguards
• Are picky eaters: There’s no need to alter their diet, since Invisalign trays pop out for eating

Most people who require mild to moderate teeth alignment services can be candidates for Invisalign clear aligners. 

Challenges to treatment

The advantages and flexibility of the Invisalign system also introduce opportunities for misuse. For an Invisalign treatment plan to proceed on schedule, users must wear their aligner trays for 22 hours per day. 

Invisalign works by gently applying pressure to teeth, nudging them toward their final, optimal position. A treatment plan depends on this pressure being in place most of the day. 

Without constant pressure from alignment trays, teeth can slip back to their original position. Therefore, your teen must be committed to wearing their aligners every day, all day, except for eating and cleaning. 

Invisalign trays are clear and comfortable, though there’s usually a day or two of minor aches as your teen moves to the next tray in the sequence. As a parent, you know your child best, so be sure to discuss the commitment that Invisalign requires with them. 

Contact New York Dental Health at our nearest office to schedule an Invisalign consultation for your teen to learn more about the process. Book online or by phone at our most convenient location today.