smile blog

For decades, getting braces has been a “rite of passage” for teens. While many teens still get braces today, Invisalign Teen is an effective alternative that's become increasingly popular in recent years. Invisalign Teen is an effective teeth-straightening option without the downsides often associated with metal braces. Rather than wires or brackets, Invisalign Teen uses clear, removable aligners to gradually shift your teeth into their proper position, giving you a confident smile. Plus, since the clear aligners are easy to remove, you can continue to eat all your favourite foods, which is something you can’t do with braces.Learn why Invisalign Teen is quickly becoming a popular choice for teens:

1. Invisalign Teen is virtually invisible.

One of the barriers to getting braces is just how visible they are. Those metal brackets are great at straightening teeth, but they aren’t so great at staying hidden. From Yearbook photos to Formal pictures, braces will certainly stand out. Invisalign Teen is different. Just like the name suggests, Invisalign is a virtually invisible way to straighten teeth without the restrictions of metal braces.

2. Invisalign Teen is as effective as traditional braces.

Yes, you read that correctly: when worn according to your orthodontist’s recommendation, Invisalign Teen can be just as effective as traditional braces for the most common teeth-straightening issues. Invisalign Teen can treat mild to severe cases including overcrowding, underbites, overbites and gaps between the teeth. Even better, this alternative to braces means that no one needs to know you're straightening your teeth. You can feel confident in your smile just the way you are.

3. You can continue playing the sports and musical instruments you love.

Even if you’ve never had braces, you may have heard friends complain about the discomfort caused by metal wires and braces. While some steps can be taken to minimize this discomfort, like apply wax around sensitive metal pieces, unfortunately, it is more difficult to address issues associated with certain activities like playing sports or playing musical instruments. With Invisalign, the aligners are removable so you can play sports while wearing your standard mouth guard and not worry about being hit in the mouth by a ball. You can also remove the aligners before playing a musical instrument like the trumpet or flute.

4. Invisalign Teen may mean fewer visits to the orthodontist.

Sure, sometimes it’s fun to have an excuse to get out of class early, but frequent orthodontist appointments can also become a schedule inconvenience. With Invisalign Teen, you’ll visit the orthodontist every four to six weeks for a brief check-up. Unlike metal braces, there are no adjustments to make or broken wires to fix. And don’t worry if an aligner gets lost– with Invisalign Teen, you can get up to six replacement aligners for free.

5. Dental insurance may cover your treatment.

Even the most understanding parents in the world have a right to be concerned about costs. Invisalign Teen costs roughly the same amount as traditional braces, although orthodontic costs can vary depending on treatment needs. If your family’s dental insurance can cover the majority of treatment costs associated with braces, it’s natural that your parents will want to take advantage of these savings benefits. Don’t despair quite yet. While every insurance plan is different, some plans may cover Invisalign, too. Depending on the provider, additional discounts or interest-free payment plans may also be available. Ask your parents to learn more about these payment options.Ready for straighter teeth but not excited about getting braces? Ask your parents about the free, secondary consultations available through Docbraces. Our orthodontist will assess your case and whether you are a good candidate for Invisalign Teen.