Is Invisalign® Right for My Teen?

When the gears of a machine are out of alignment, they don’t function as they should and may lead to wear-and-tear that shortens the life of the machine. Teeth must be in alignment for optimal health and longevity, too.

Misaligned teeth change how your jaw works, putting pressure on one side or the other more than is normal and healthy. An unbalanced, misaligned jaw can create pain in the temporomandibular joint (TMJ), which may cause your jaw to pop, crack, get stuck, and become painful.

Flaws in alignment can also adversely affect how well and efficiently you chew food. Food not chewed into small particles and mixed with saliva are harder to digest, which could lead to digestive problems later.

So, when your dentist mentions that your teen’s teeth are misaligned (i.e., maloccluded), more is at stake than their smile. Not that a good smile isn’t important in its own right; in fact, a survey sponsored by the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry found that cosmetic dental changes to a smile made subjects appear more attractive, intelligent, and successful. 

Almost all (99.7%) women and men in the United States surveyed believe that a great smile is an important social asset. Nearly 75% believe a good smile is essential for success in business and a career. 

Our expert dentist, Nisha Modi, DMD, wants to help you straighten your teen’s teeth as easily and quickly as possible to make their teeth function better and improve their confidence. Miracle Smile Dental offers both Invisalign® and traditional braces at our Aubrey, Texas, office. 

Invisalign® is the most attractive-looking, comfortable, and fastest alignment system available. However, it requires a certain amount of maturity to gain its many benefits. 

Is your teen ready for Invisalign? The following questions may help you decide.

Are looks important to your teen?

Most teens are extremely self-conscious about their looks. If your child is one of them, Invisalign may be their best choice.

Unlike traditional braces that use metal or ceramic brackets and highly-visible wires, Invisalign consists of custom-fit, nearly invisible alignment trays that slip over your teen’s teeth. They’re even custom-cut to the gum line, so they aren’t visible from a short distance.

Your teen can feel confident they look their best in school photos, selfies, and day-to-day life with Invisalign. Invisalign’s clear, patented SmartTrack® material is also much more comfortable than railroad-track braces and won’t cause damage or pain to their inner cheeks or tongue.

Does your teen lose or break things often?

One caveat about Invisalign: unlike traditional braces that stay in place until removed by your orthodontist, your teen must remove the aligner trays before meals or snacks. Your teen must carry the Invisalign case if they eat lunch at school or head out for a day with friends.

If your teen tends to misplace items or is prone to accidentally stepping on or breaking the trays, Invisalign might not be the right choice for them. In such a case, traditional braces are a better selection.

Can your teen follow simple rules?

Traditional braces don’t require much thought. However, they’re a little hard to maintain because food tends to get stuck in the wires and brackets, which may increase your child’s susceptibility to cavities.

Your child takes out Invisalign for meals, so there’s no chance of food getting caught in their teeth. However, they should remember to rinse their alignment trays and put them back in directly after meals.

They must also take out the trays and brush them with a cleanser or plain soap before bed and after brushing their teeth. They must wear the aligner trays for at least 22 hours a day. If they’re liable to forget to put them back in after a meal, Invisalign might not work for them.

Does your teen need help to remember tasks?

Every week or two, your child must switch from their current aligner tray to a new one. Each graduated tray moves their teeth slightly closer to the ultimate goal position.

If you believe your teen might have trouble remembering when to switch to a new tray, you’re in luck. We offer a solution called Invisalign Teen®. Invisalign Teen aligner trays feature an indicator dot that turns blue when it’s time to switch to the next tray.

Still not sure? Our expert team at Miracle Smile Dental can help you and your teen make the best choice when it comes to braces or Invisalign. Call our office at 469-765-3567 today, or use our convenient online scheduling tool to book an alignment consultation.