Published on July 16, 2025
The idea of your child having braces is intimidating to most parents. Whether it’s the look, the pain, or just the annoyance of having metal braces, the good news is that there is another option: Invisalign for teens. This orthodontic treatment is a less obtrusive and more comfortable solution to straightening teeth. If you’re a parent in Glen Allen, you might be asking yourself what Teen Invisalign is, how it works, and why it’s becoming so well-known. Let’s demystify.
What Is Invisalign?
Invisalign is a clear aligner system made for people with crooked or uneven teeth and bite issues. Its teen version is designed keeping the needs of teens in mind. Your child’s aligners are designed uniquely to fit their teeth so they can move their mouth as they please. Invisalign aligners are nearly transparent, not at all like the old metal braces. This makes them more attractive to teens and also more relaxed during their treatment.
The aligners are meant to be worn about 20-22 hours a day. So, you can remove them while eating, drinking, brushing, and flossing. And as your teenager advances through their treatment, they’ll switch to a new set of aligners every few weeks, each set designed to push their teeth a bit farther into the desired position.
How Does Teen Invisalign Work?
The teen Invisalign process in Glen Allen begins with a consultation visit at a local dentist’s office. The orthodontist will inspect your teen’s teeth and take digital impressions to create a personalised treatment plan during the visit. The aligners are produced and placed into your teen’s mouth.
The process of treatment may vary depending on what your teenager needs; however, most treatments will last 12 to 18 months. Along the way, the aligners will straighten out so your teen’s smile starts to move in the right direction.
So, one of the top features of Invisalign for teens is compliance indicators. These tiny blue dots on the aligners will gradually disappear, which can help both your teen and the orthodontist monitor how often the aligners are being worn. This is particularly encouraging for younger patients who may not have developed a commitment to wear their aligners as prescribed.
Advantages of Teen Invisalign in Glen Allen
There are some benefits to Invisalign versus traditional braces, especially for teens. Let us take a closer look at those benefits:
Aesthetic Appeal
Tests have shown that the clear aligners are almost invisible, which means your teenager doesn’t have to worry about that either. This can be especially useful with teenagers, who are still at school and might care more about their appearance while wearing braces.
Comfortable
Unlike metal braces, Invisalign aligners are made of smooth plastic, making them more comfortable. There is no hardware to vex the mouth.
Eat or Drink Whatever You Want
Invisalign aligners always stay a step ahead of metal braces due to a simple feature – removable. This means they can eat whatever they want, as long as they take their aligners out to eat. There is no need to avoid certain foods, such as sticky candy or popcorn.
Your Teen’s Oral Health Remains At the Top
Because the aligners can be removed, your teen can brush and floss like normal, and thus it’s easier to keep improved oral health throughout their treatment. There are no wires or brackets, so it’s easy to keep your mouth healthy and clean.
Reduced Orthodontist Appointments
In most cases, your teen won’t need to visit the orthodontist for adjustments with Invisalign as often as if they had traditional braces. This lets both the parents and the teenagers heave a sigh of relief.
Is Teen Invisalign Right for Your Kid?
Although there are many advantages to teen Invisalign in Glen Allen, it may not suit everyone. It is advisable to consult an orthodontist to see if Invisalign is suitable for your teenager’s requirements.
Invisalign is most effective for teenagers with mild to moderate orthodontic problems, such as crowded teeth, gaps, and bite issues. Serious misalignment or significant dental problems may still necessitate old-fashioned braces. But in the hands of an experienced orthodontist, your teenager will be treated with an individualized care plan that meets their unique dental needs.
