Questions Commonly Asked About Invisalign for Teens

Invisalign® aligners have become widespread among those that need braces. It is a common rite of passage for teens to need corrective orthodontia too. Aligners make it much easier for teens to get their teeth straight. They can do it all without dealing with metal braces and pointy wires.

Always ask the questions

Patients have questions. As a parent, there are usually even more questions. Do not be afraid to ask the dentist about anything related to Invisalign. To help, here is a list that can be used to get started.

Is Invisalign available for teens?

Invisalign aligners are available for teens. The aligners are designed to work just like braces but are considerably more comfortable than braces. Having braces can hurt a teen’s self-image. Clear aligners encourage self-expression without sacrificing self-worth.

How expensive is Invisalign?

Invisalign can be less expensive than braces. More often, fees are on par with braces. When clear aligners were brand-new on the market, they were more expensive. Patients should expect to pay the same amount for aligners or traditional braces.

How long does a teen need to wear aligners every day?

The short answer is all day long. Aligners need to be removed when eating, but once the teen has finished eating, then the aligners need to be put back on. The only thing that teens should drink when the aligners are in place is water to protect the teeth as much as possible during treatment. Some extracurricular activities may require the teen to take the aligners off. Aside from these times, the aligners need to stay in the teen’s mouth all the time, day in and day out.

What is the biggest roadblock to wearing Invisalign aligners?

For teens, the biggest problem is wearing the aligners consistently. The dentist will know if the right amount of progress is being made with the aligners. If improvement is missing, the dentist will let parents and teens know that the aligners have not been worn as prescribed. Adjustments will be made to the expected timeline to get treatment back on track.

What happens if the aligner is lost?

Everyone loses things, teens and adults alike. If a teen loses the aligner, parents should contact the dentist. Replacements are not difficult to get. Depending on when the aligners were lost, it might be almost time to do the next round anyway.

What can a teen eat and drink?

Traditional braces require staying away from certain foods because of the damage to the braces or the difficulty of cleaning around braces. With aligners, those restrictions do not exist as long as the aligners come out first. When drinking, it is also important to only drink water when the aligners are in. Drinking anything else, like sodas or other acidic or sugary drinks, can cause damage to a teen’s teeth because they will get trapped in the aligner.

It is okay to ask questions

When you and your teen visit your dentist, do not be afraid to ask these and other questions. Take some time to come up with other thoughts that might need to be discussed about responsibilities and obligations. Ask the teen to get involved if there are any other questions to ask the dentist. Dentists have heard them all and are happy to answer any inquiries you have.

Are you considering getting Invisalign in the Visalia area? Get more information at https://www.dentistofvisalia.com.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign in Visalia, CA.