Can a Teenager Get Invisalign?

I’m 42 and had Invisalign treatment. I really loved it and it did such a great job for me. My son is just about to turn 13 and he needs braces as well. Are teenagers able to get Invisalign as well? If so, are there any limitations?

Cherry

Dear Cherry,

I’m glad you wrote and that you loved your Invisalign treatment. It has one of the highest patient satisfaction rates of any dental procedure. This isn’t just because they are essentially invisible braces. It’s also because of how effective they are as well as how much more comfortable than traditional braces the treatment is.

There is an option for teens with Invisalign. This actually has some special considerations for teenagers. There is a dot on there to help the teen and their caregivers to know if they are being compliant with how much they are wearing them. There are also some growth tabs for those that still have molars developing.

That being said, you do want to make sure your teen is mature enough for the treatment. You don’t want to invest in Invisalign if he isn’t going to wear them the required amount of time or if he’s going to constantly lose them. You know your son better than anyone else. If you think he’s ready then get him a consultation! If you are worried about his responsibility level you can either get him traditional braces or wait a year or so to see if he matures.

I hope you kept your final set of aligners. These can also double as teeth whitening trays, which will save you a ton of money. You just need your dentist to provide you with the teeth whitening gel and you can wear it in your aligners at a time that is convenient for you, allowing you to bleach your teeth whenever you want.

This blog is brought to you by Nashville Cosmetic Dentist Dr. David Wickness.