The Benefits of Invisalign for Teens

Thankfully, there are modern treatment options available that address these concerns while also delivering incredible results. This guide will explore some of the benefits of Invisalign treatment for teenagers so they can make an informed choice about their treatment options.

Invisalign explained

Invisalign doesn’t work in the same way as traditional fixed braces. Rather than brackets and wires attached to the teeth, this orthodontic system uses clear and removable aligners, similar to the retainer worn at the end of teeth straightening treatment.

These aligners apply gentle pressure on the teeth throughout the day and night. They can be removed to eat and drink, so there is far more flexibility in the treatment plan. Every 7-10 days, the wearer switches to the next aligner in the treatment case. As they move through these aligners, their teeth get closer and closer to perfect alignment,

Benefits of Invisalign for teenagers

Now that we understand the treatment plan, let’s explore some of the benefits for teenagers that might be overlooked. While the results of the treatment will be the same, the differences in the treatment plan can have a drastic impact on the patient’s life during the treatment.

Improved self confidence

Perhaps the most significant way in which this treatment is different can be seen in the boost in confidence experienced when wearing Invisalign. These clear aligners allow the patient to have orthodontic treatment without announcing it to the world.

Invisalign is nearly invisible when worn, as the clear plastic aligners fit perfectly against the teeth and gum line. They can also be removed when required, so if the patient needs to feel more confident for a moment, they can quickly take out their aligners. This is highly effective in school when giving presentations, or during special occasions such as graduation.

Fewer dental visits

With traditional fixed braces, the patient has to visit the dentist for every adjustment. This could mean two visits to the dentist per month, which can be very disruptive for a teenager with an active social life.

With Invisalign, adjustments happen at home, because the patient can change their aligners without dental supervision. They will still need to visit the dentist periodically throughout their treatment to ensure everything is progressing as it should, but this will be far less than with fixed braces treatment.

Better oral health for life

Orthodontic treatment inspires patients to take good care of their teeth for life. This is usually down to the time invested in straightening the teeth, but also due to the improved oral health care routines that are essential for preventing tooth decay while wearing aligners.

Learning how to take good care of your teeth as a teenager will typically set a person up with good habits for life. Thankfully, these benefits can be seen at any stage of life, so this benefit isn’t limited to teenagers.

Establish healthy habits

Invisalign treatment requires a little extra care and attention throughout the day, which means that things like mindless snacking or reaching for sugary drinks will have to become a thing of the past.

These better habits will be carried into adulthood and may never appear again. A key change that many patients enjoy when they start Invisalign treatment is that they will stop drinking fizzy drinks or sugary drinks and will start drinking more water. This has benefits for more than your oral health.

No dietary changes

Fixed braces will often require the wearer to give up certain foods for the duration of their treatment. This can be a difficult sell for teenagers, particularly when these foods include things like pizza and crusty bread.

Instead of giving up their favourite foods, Invisalign offers the opportunity to eat whatever you want, as the patient simply removes their aligners before eating. While they might have to give up snacking between meals, this is often less difficult to manage if there are no restrictions on the foods they can enjoy during mealtimes.

First steps for starting Invisalign treatment

Invisalign is a private dental treatment that is not available on the NHS. This means that eligibility is not based on requirement, but on personal preference. If your teenager has narrowly missed out on NHS orthodontics, this doesn’t have to be the end of the road. They could get started with Invisalign on their schedule and enjoy straighter teeth for life.

The first step is to book an Invisalign consultation with our team. This will be your opportunity to ask questions and find out more about the treatment plan. If you decide to go ahead with treatment, we can explore payment plans to help you spread the cost of private orthodontics.