Is Invisalign® Right for My Teenager?

Invisalign is, by far, the best known and most proven system for straightening teeth without metal brackets and wires. The clear plastic aligners are nearly invisible, and they’re also more comfortable and faster than braces. 

So, it’s no wonder that 4.5 million teens have chosen Invisalign treatment to get gorgeous, straight smiles. 

At Pioneer Dental Group, Dr. Behzad Binafard and our team of Invisalign experts evaluate and treat teens with Invisalign every day. Parents often ask us whether Invisalign is a good choice for their teenager’s particular needs, so today’s blog covers what you need to know.

Problems that Invisalign treats

Invisalign treats all the same problems that old-fashioned metal braces do, including: 

• Overbite: top teeth close over lower teeth
• Underbite: bottom teeth close over upper teeth
• Crossbite: misalignment of the top and bottom jaw 
• Crowded teeth: too many teeth and not enough space for them to fit
• Gap teeth: spaces between the teeth (usually the front teeth)
• Open bite: upper and lower teeth don’t meet when mouth is closed

Some teens have a couple of issues at once; for example, your teen might have an overbite along with crowded teeth. 

All of these problems are bad for long-term oral health, and they can also make it difficult to bite and chew normally. 

Of course, the psychological effects of these tooth problems can be quite serious as well. Many teenagers with crooked teeth refuse to smile, avoid taking photos, and feel embarrassed about their appearance.

Invisalign offers a solution for these problems, so if your teen is dealing with any of these issues, it could be right for them. 

How to find out if Invisalign is right for your teen

At Pioneer Dental Group, our team starts with an oral exam to determine Invisalign candidacy. We use the state-of-the-art iTero Element® digital scanner to create a 3D map of your teenager’s mouth. Then, we evaluate their teeth in precise detail. 

If they are a good candidate for Invisalign (most teens who want the treatment are), our next step is using innovative computer software to plan the treatment of every tooth individually. We can even project final results, so you and your teen can know what to expect if they choose Invisalign treatment.

We also ask your teen about their goals and expectations for teeth straightening treatment as part of their assessment. It’s very important that they are fully committed to Invisalign treatment, because it does require them to wear their aligners 20-22 hours a day, and they need to clean the aligners daily as well. 

In addition, it’s important for your teenager to swap out their aligners for the next set every two weeks (or at the interval we prescribe). Staying on track with the aligners is the only way to keep teeth steadily moving toward their eventual destinations. 

If your teen is interested in teeth straightening without braces, they’re likely a good fit for Invisalign. To schedule a personalized assessment, give us a call in the Norwalk, California office or click to contact us now.