7 Reasons Why Invisalign Is Perfect for Teens

When you think of orthodontic treatment for teens, what immediately comes to mind?  If you immediately envision metal smiles and glow-in-the-dark rubber bands, you’re not alone!  Metal braces have been the traditional (and only) treatment option for decades, but the many benefits of Invisalign make this an outstanding treatment plan for teens.

1. Virtually Invisible

We all remember high school and how important it was to fit in, right?  Teens are 68% less likely to be teased when wearing Invisalign aligners as opposed to metal braces, and a whopping 92% of teens say that metal braces would keep them from fitting in with their peers. Let your teen stand out for their school record in the 300 meter hurdles or their painting that now hangs in a local art gallery; not for the new metal in their mouth!

2. Boosts Self Confidence

Being a teenager can be tough: there’s the new expectations in school, endless extracurriculars, family life and feeling misunderstood by parents, and not to mention hormones and bullying!  Teens wearing Invisalign aligners are two times more likely to have a boost in self-esteem during treatment.  And considering #3 and #4 below, we think that’s pretty significant!

3. Just as Effective as Braces

You might think that Invisalign is for correcting mildly crooked smiles, but think again!  In the hands of a trained orthodontist, Invisalign aligners can be just as effective as metal braces in correcting smiles and bites. That’s powerful information considering Invisalign is virtually undetectable when worn.

4. Perfect for Sports and Music

If your teen is an athlete or musician, you might be concerned about the comfort and safety of traditional metal braces, which can can irritate or the cut the inside of the mouth.  Invisalign aligners are completely smooth, which means they won’t irritate the mouth when playing a woodwind or brass instrument.  Because the aligners are removable, your teen can replace the Invisalign aligners with a traditional mouthguard for their game.  And that’s one less thing you and your teen have to worry about!

5. No Off-Limits Food

Have you ever tried limiting your teen’s diet?  Not for the faint of heart, right?  Traditional metal braces means no popcorn, no caramel, and no chewing on ice (just to name a few).  But because Invisalign aligners are removable, there are no off-limits foods!   Teens simply take out the aligners before diving into that huge (refillable!) tub of popcorn at the movies, brush and floss well, and then the aligners go back on.

6. Costs About the Same as Braces

You might be reading, thinking, “Sounds great, but we can’t afford Invisalign!”  Surprisingly, Invisalign treatment is comparable in cost to traditional metal braces.  Today, most dental plans cover Invisalign, too.

7. Reliable

Knowing how reliable your teen is at making their bed, you might be concerned about them consistently wearing their aligners to complete their treatment plan.  However, orthodontists confirm that most teens are actually more reliable in wearing their aligners than adults!  The data shows that teens wear their aligners an average of 21 hours a day–exactly as recommended.

Find out if Invisalign is right for your teen with a free Invisalign consultation.  Call us at the Kent office at 888-341-1231 or at the Issaquah office at (425) 557-5437 today.

Statistics thanks to Invisalign!