Is Invisalign Teen Right for My Child Austin, TX
For many teens, the thought of wearing metal braces comes filled with dread. The visibility of wearing braces can be particularly anxiety-producing for teens in the high-stress environment of middle and high school.
No one wants to look back on their photos of homecoming or events with friends and see an embarrassed, tight-lipped smile or a layer of metal over their teeth. Fortunately, traditional metal braces no longer remain the only option for teenagers. Invisalign® Teen offers a custom solution that eliminates the negative feelings and ideas often associated with metal braces while still producing the desired result: straight, aligned teeth.
Invisalign Teen is available at Austin Lifetime Dental in Austin and the surrounding area. Our staff can help you make the right decision for your child's dental needs. Call us at (512) 387-7937 to schedule a consultation.
Understanding a Child’s Needs
Parents should understand their child's individual needs before seeking Invisalign treatment. Every child is different and will require personalized treatment to produce optimal results. Parents should have a consultation with our team to make the right decision regarding a child's smile.
We will conduct a thorough examination of the patient's teeth to determine their orthodontic needs. These consultations are also a great time for parents to discuss their child's smile goals and how our team can help reach them. This information is a crucial part of helping parents understand their children's needs and whether Invisalign is the right choice.
“Parents should understand their child’s individual needs before seeking Invisalign treatment.”
Conditions Invisalign Teen Treats
Invisalign Teen can treat a broad range of orthodontic conditions, including:
- Crowded teeth
- Widely-spaced teeth
- Overbite
- Crossbite
- Underbite
Invisalign Teen remains effective at correcting mild to moderate cases. Patients who opt for this system most often have crowded teeth, gap teeth, or misaligned teeth. Invisalign Teen is not always suitable for children with more severe orthodontic issues, such as missing teeth or major malocclusions. Children must also be ready for the level of responsibility that comes with using Invisalign Teen.
“Invisalign Teen can treat a broad range of orthodontic conditions, including crowded teeth, widely spaced teeth, overbite, crossbite, and underbite.”
Choosing Invisalign Teen for Your Child
Straightening one's teeth comes with a certain level of personal responsibility. Invisalign Teen requires attention and care from the patient. Parents should make sure their teen is ready for this level of accountability.
One of the benefits of Invisalign Teen is that it is removable. Many teens enjoy this, as they can easily remove the aligners for eating, drinking, and activities. However, this means that they must also remember to safely store them and remember to put them back for treatment to progress.
Teens must wear their aligners between 20 to 22 hours a day. Each aligner has a blue-to-clear compliance indicator, acting as a gauge for how long each aligner must be worn. The indicator turns clear once it is time for the aligner to be replaced. In the event the teen does lose his or her aligner, we can begin the process of getting replacement aligners.
One of the advantages of choosing Invisalign Teen is fewer appointments. While braces need to be adjusted every few weeks, Invisalign's progress requires checking every few months. To make an informed decision regarding their child's readiness for Invisalign Teen, parents must understand their child's individual needs and level of personal responsibility.
“To make an informed decision regarding your child’s readiness for Invisalign Teen, you must understand your child’s individual needs and level of personal responsibility.”
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Comfort Level
Wearing traditional braces may cause your child some minor pain and discomfort. The metal brackets may irritate gentle tissues in the mouth and cause mouth sores. Patients can expect to feel some pain during and after adjustments, too, as the teeth shift into new positions.
Invisalign Teen is a suitable alternative for patients with a low pain tolerance, helping them achieve the smile they desire with minimal discomfort. While a child may feel pressure from each new set of aligners, it should never be enough to cause significant discomfort or pain. A child's treatment plan will set the aligners enough to straighten the teeth but not enough to be overbearing or unbearable.
“Invisalign Teen is a suitable alternative for patients with a low pain tolerance, helping them achieve the smile they desire with minimal discomfort.”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. What conditions does Invisalign Teen treat?
Q. Should I choose Invisalign Teen for my child?
Q. Is Invisalign Teen painful to wear?
Q. What is the best age to use Invisalign Teen?
Q. Why is it important for parents to understand their child's orthodontic needs?
People Also Ask
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Best Age to Use Invisalign Teen
Invisalign Teen is only suitable for children who already have all of their permanent teeth. For most teenagers, this happens by age 13. With a thorough examination, we can determine whether Invisalign Teen is the right treatment option for each of our patients — and, if it is, when to begin.
“Invisalign Teen is only suitable for children who already have all of their permanent teeth.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How often will my child have appointments during Invisalign Teen treatment?
A. After receiving Invisalign Teen, children will need to have check-up appointments about every four to six weeks. Appointments for Invisalign are less frequent than for traditional braces. We will check the patient's teeth to ensure that the treatment is progressing correctly.
Q. Will Invisalign aligners affect my child's speech?
A. Once a child gets Invisalign aligners for the first time, it may take some time for their mouths to adjust. This is normal for any orthodontic appliance. Children may have a slight lisp at first, but it should disappear quickly.
Q. What happens if my child forgets to wear their aligners?
A. The effects of forgetting to wear aligners will depend on how long the patient has gone without wearing them. If it has only been a short time, their aligners should still fit. If it has been a longer amount of time, patients will need to speak with our team.
Q. What happens if my child loses their aligners?
A. If a patient loses their aligners, they should contact our team as soon as possible. Patients may need to revert to their previous aligner or move on to the next set. Our team will help patients choose the right option to keep treatment progressing.
Q. How should my child clean their aligners?
A. Children must clean their aligners properly every day. We recommend using the Invisalign Cleaning System or brushing with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinsing with lukewarm water. Patients should also soak their aligners to get rid of bacteria.
Invisalign® Terminology
Learn More About Invisalign Teen Today
Fortunately for your teens, straightening your teeth no longer has to be a painful endeavor. We at Austin Lifetime Dental can help. If you are located in Austin or the surrounding area and would like to learn more about Invisalign Teen, call us at 512-387-7937 to learn more.
Helpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry® (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- Invisalign®. How Invisalign Works. 2025
- Invisalign®. Take the Smile Assessment. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD’s Oral Care Guide. 2025
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