Is Invisalign Right For Your Teenager? Ask Yourself 2 Quick Questions to Find Out!
Invisalign treatment is extremely popular among both adults and teenagers in Australia and even all around the world today -- but that doesn't necessarily mean that it's right for everyone. You might be wondering whether your teenager is really a good candidate for Invisalign or whether old fashioned metal braces might be the better choice. Two simple questions can give you the answers you need.
The Commitment: Is Your Teen Fully Committed to Smile Straightening?
Because Invisalign is removable, your teen's success rate will depend on how well they adhere to the treatment program. Invisalign must be worn for 20-22 hours per day. Whilst metal braces force the commitment issue by being non-removable, your teen has considerably more freedom with Invisalign. Wearing the aligners for less than the prescribed number of hours daily means that treatment could be ineffective -- and that it might take much longer than it otherwise would. To enjoy successful straightening with Invisalign, your teen has to be fully committed to wearing the aligners exactly as instructed -- even when they don't necessarily feel like doing so.
If you said no to this question because your teen just doesn't seem fully committed to their teeth straightening, metal braces or another teeth straightening option might be the superior choice.
The Responsibility: Can Your Teen Keep Track of Their Invisalign Aligners?
Invisalign Teen, the version of Invisalign designed especially for teenagers, comes with six additional pairs of aligners. This means that teens who are occasionally forgetful or less than 100% responsible can still use Invisalign. However, removing the aligners for every meal makes for many opportunities to misplace or lose them. Your teen must keep track of their Invisalign in the school canteen, whilst eating at a restaurant and in any other situation where they'll be eating or drinking. An irresponsible or forgetful teen could easily lose aligners, and the cycle of continual aligner replacement could get overly expensive quite quickly.
Again, if the answer to this question is no, consider other options.
The Final Verdict: Is Invisalign Right For Your Teenager?
Ideal Invisalign candidates are both fully committed and highly responsible. If your teenager is both of these things, speak to your dentist about teeth straightening with Invisalign. Your teenager will get the straight smile they want whilst still preserving a natural and metal-free look. Even if your teen isn't quite mature enough for Invisalign yet, your dentist may suggest metal braces or another straightening option.
Share