Alternative Orthodontic Options
While metal braces are the traditional orthodontic option, teens now have alternative options to straighten their teeth. Clear aligners are a great option for teens who want to improve their smiles but are worried about how their peers will perceive their appearance. These clear trays fit easily into a teen's life without interrupting it.
They function the same way as traditional braces, applying gentle pressure to teeth to gradually move them into alignment. However, they consist of a flexible and clear plastic that allows teens to smile without brackets or wires getting in the way. These trays are also virtually invisible, so others may not even notice that they are wearing them.
“Clear aligners are a great option for teens who want to improve their smiles but are worried about how their peers will perceive their appearance.”
A Time-Saving Treatment
Clear aligners can save patients time due to less frequent visits and a shorter overall treatment length. Patients can benefit from fewer visits and less time in the office. Other teeth straightening options such as braces can take more time and appointments. Braces usually require teens to have appointments about every four weeks to adjust their wires and check their progress.
In contrast, patients with clear aligners will receive the entire series of their trays at once and can switch them out at home. They will only need check-ups about every six weeks so we can check their progress. A BMC Oral Health study found that clear aligners had an advantage in shortened treatment duration over braces. The length of treatment will vary but takes 12-18 months on average. There is no risk for brackets or wires breaking, which can slow down the treatment process.
“Clear aligners can save patients time due to less frequent visits and a shorter overall treatment length.”
Clear Aligner Benefits
Teens who choose clear aligners can benefit from increased self-esteem and ease of use. How a person feels about their teeth can greatly impact their contentment with their overall appearance. Orthodontic treatment can significantly increase people's mental health status and improve multidimensional attitudes towards body image, according to a 2018 study. Clear aligners are great for teens since they are virtually invisible when worn properly.
Another benefit of clear aligners is how easy they are to use. The trays are easy to put in and remove, which makes keeping them clean much easier. Teens can clean their teeth more easily than with braces since they do not have to brush around wires and brackets. They are also comfortable to wear since there are no sharp edges that can dig into gums.
“How a person feels about their teeth can greatly impact their contentment with their overall appearance.”
Ease of Use
Clear aligners are a great option for physically active teens. Sports that require mouthguards like football can often damage metal braces and cause injury to the mouth's soft tissues. Clear aligners fit tightly to the teeth, so traditional mouth guards are more effective. If a patient forgets their mouthguard, the chances that the clear aligner will get damaged is much less than metal braces.
A teen can expect to wear their clear aligners for 20-22 hours a day. Since they're so easy to remove, it's also easy to forget to put them back in. Forgetting to wear the aligners for the required amount of time can slow down or even stop results.
“Are clear aligners a good idea for teens who play sports? How long do I need to wear clear aligners every day?”
Questions Answered on This Page
Q. How do I take care of my clear aligners?
Q. What are alternative orthodontic options?
Q. Are clear aligners a time-saving treatment?
Q. What are some clear aligner benefits?
People Also Ask
Q. What age groups use Invisalign?
Q. How do clear aligners compare to traditional braces?
Q. Are there any necessary dietary restrictions while wearing Invisalign?
Taking Care of Aligners
While aligners are easy to take care of, they do require teens to be proactive about cleaning. Dirty aligners can accumulate bacteria, which can cause bad breath and harm oral health. Like teeth, teens should clean their clear aligners every day to keep the treatment process moving forward. Once they remove their aligners, patients should use warm water and a soft toothbrush to scrub the trays. Teens need to rinse their aligners with cold water every time they're removed and never leave them out in the open.
Ideally, patients should only remove their aligners to eat or drink. Teeth should then be brushed and flossed before patients put back their aligners to prevent food particles from becoming trapped in the tray. Forgetting this step can lead to tooth decay and other concerns. When taken care of properly, clear aligners are less likely to cause cavities or tooth damage. Clear aligner treatment also improves the patient's overall oral health since straight teeth are easier to clean thoroughly.
“While aligners are easy to take care of, they do require teens to be proactive about cleaning.”
Frequently Asked Questions
Q.What happens after I finish clear aligner treatment?
A.After treatment, most people will receive a retainer. Retainers are important devices that prevent teeth from shifting back into the original position. Every patient is different, so it is important to speak to our orthodontist.
Q.What should I expect during my first appointment for clear aligners?
A.We will examine the patient's mouth to determine whether they are a good candidate during the initial appointment. Patients can also discuss their cosmetic goals with our team. If the patient is a good candidate, we may also start the digital molding process by taking digital scans, photographs, and X-rays to create an accurate model of their mouth and teeth.
Q.How long does it take to get my clear aligners?
A.The process of receiving clear aligners will usually take about three to four weeks. It takes this long because we must send the patient's information to the laboratory with notes about how the treatment should progress. This length may vary slightly depending on whether the virtual mold and the final projection of teeth movement require any changes.
Q.Is a retainer necessary after clear aligners?
A.Most patients will need to wear a retainer after any orthodontic treatment to keep teeth stable in their new positions. Each patient is different. We will determine the best course of action for each patient to produce optimal results.
Q.When are clear aligners not an option?
A.Clear aligners may not be the best option for people who have complicated oral health and severe alignment issues. It may not be appropriate for very young patients whose jaws and teeth are still growing and developing . We do not recommend them for people with gum disease, receding gums, or weakened bones. Our team will help determine what the best options are for each patient's particular situation.
Quality Dental Services Can Transform Your Smile
By visiting us as soon as possible, our team can help get you the professional treatment you need. Instead of waiting around and allowing the symptoms to get worse, we can provide you with treatment options.
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Invisalign Terminology
- Aligner Trays
- With Invisalign treatment, the patient will receive a series of aligner trays and swap out each one for the next one in the series every two weeks in order to gradually straighten the teeth.
- Blue Compliance Indicator (Invisalign Teen)
- The blue compliance indicator is a small blue dot on the aligners that will fade from blue to clear in order to indicate if the patient is wearing the aligner for the proper amount of time and where the patient is in the Invisalign process.
- ClinCheck Software
- ClinCheck software allows professionals to map out the straightening process the patient's teeth will go through with Invisalign in great detail.
- Gum Line
- The gum line is the line in the mouth where the teeth and gums meet. If a patient struggles with gum recession, then the gum tissue around the teeth may begin to wear away.
- Incisal Ridges
- Incisal ridges are the portion of the crown of the tooth that makes up the incisal portion and can be a direct cause of overbite if they are extended too far.
- iTero Element Scanner
- An iTero Element scanner allows professionals to create a 3D image of the patient's teeth in minutes and predict what it will take to move the teeth into proper alignment.
- Malocclusion
- Malocclusion is the condition in which the upper and lower teeth do not meet properly when the bite is closed. Conditions of malocclusion can include overbite, underbite, crossbite and open bite; all of which are treatable with Invisalign.
- Overbite
- An overbite is a type of malocclusion that occurs when the upper teeth jut out over the lower teeth, covering them and causing other issues.
- Polyurethane Resin
- Polyurethane Resin is a USP Class VI medical grade, high molecular weight compound that makes up the Invisalign aligners.
- SmartForce Attachments
- SmartForce attachments are small attachments that professionals place on the patient's teeth before placing aligners to help move the teeth.
- Smart Track Material
- Smart Track material is in Invisalign aligners to increase comfort, improve control of movement, increases the speed of treatment and applies a gentle force to the teeth over time.
- Smile-Scan
- Smile-Scan analyzes the way a patient smiles by measuring the position of the mouth and eyes before giving a score.
- Vivera Retainers
- Vivera retainers are a type of retainer that consists of clear plastic material and helps to maintain orthodontic corrections after a treatment.
Call Us Today
If your teen is looking for an alternative for braces, clear aligners are a great option. Vatan Dental Group can help. Call us at (310) 906-1300 to learn more about our services or schedule an appointment.
Request AppointmentHelpful Related Links
- American Dental Association (ADA). Glossary of Dental Clinical Terms. 2025
- American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (AACD). Home Page. 2025
- WebMD. WebMD's Oral Care Guide. 2025
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