Have you ever wished for a window into your teen’s mind? Wouldn’t it be nice to know what’s going on in there from time to time? One thing you’d likely be reminded of is the extent to which your teen can feel self-conscious. Whether it’s worry over the clothes they wear or how crooked their teeth are, this time in their life can be tough on their self-esteem.

When it comes to teeth, choosing braces as a solution can sometimes backfire and worsen this lack of confidence, since many people still tend to think of this treatment as an unflattering mouth full of metal. Some even delay getting orthodontic treatment because they’re worried about how braces might affect their looks. Although orthodontic treatments have advanced by leaps and bounds in the last several years, teens especially are still hesitant to hop on the “brace face” train, and you might find they balk at the idea of traditional treatment. But you definitely don’t want your child to miss out on their chance at a healthy, straight smile, so what can you do to ensure they’re on board with orthodontic treatment?

Fortunately, there’s another option at Bret Johnson Orthodontics!

Invisalign for teens

Bret Johnson Orthodontics is proud to be a provider of Invisalign Teen, a system that uses a series of clear, removable, and comfortable aligners to straighten your teen’s teeth. Invisalign aligners are virtually invisible, which means your teen’s treatment isn’t immediately obvious. This is a huge benefit for them, since it removes a very real source of anxiety, and helps give them the confidence to show off their smile even while it’s a work in progress!

Invisalign Teen is able to straighten teeth without the restrictions that come with metal braces. There are no wires and brackets, no bands or adjustments. Teens simply wear the custom-made aligners over their teeth, changing them out for a new set every one to two weeks. Over time, the teeth gradually shift into place, leaving teens with a straight, healthy smile. No metal necessary!

Wondering what makes Invisalign such a good choice for teens? Let’s take a look!

The clear choice for confidence

Teens are already pretty self-conscious about, well, everything. Crooked or crowded teeth can contribute to that, and when you add traditional braces into the mix, it can make things even more awkward. Modern braces are smaller and more comfortable than they’ve ever been, but your teen will still be flashing a mouth of metal every time she smiles or speaks. Invisalign’s clear aligners are a far more subtle choice, resulting in a smile that’s confident even before we straighten the crooked teeth!

Your teen can go nuts

Anyone familiar with traditional braces knows that they can come with quite a few food restrictions. There’s a pretty long list of items that need to be avoided over the course of treatment to keep all those wires, brackets, and bands intact. From nuts and candy to carrots and caramel popcorn, it’s not a lot of fun to have to turn down the kinds of tasty treats your friends are enjoying all around you.

Since the Invisalign aligner is removable, your teen can take it out any time they’re eating or drinking anything other than water, so there’s no need to miss out on the foods they love.

Breezy brushing

While we’re on the subject of tasty treats your teen loves, Invisalign aligners make good dental hygiene a whole lot easier. Regular, thorough brushing and flossing are important for everyone, but especially when wearing braces. Unfortunately, the brackets and wires that come with traditional braces can often make that a little tricky.

The Invisalign aligners are removed while your teen brushes and flosses, providing easy access to the surface of the teeth and gums. The aligners are also a cinch to clean themselves, using nothing more than water and a clean toothbrush to gently scrub and rinse them out.

Less time in the office, more time with family

We know that today’s families are busier than ever, with many of our patients on tight schedules. Between school, homework, sports, and other extracurricular activities, it can sometimes seem like there aren’t enough hours in the day!

The Invisalign system often requires less time with an orthodontist than traditional braces do. With no adjustments to make, or broken wires to fix, follow-up appointments with us are fast, and will usually be scheduled about once every 6-8 weeks after your initial appointment. Our two conveniently located offices in Spokane and Colville mean we can get you and your teen in and out in no time!

A healthy smile leads to a healthier life

A straighter smile is a beautiful thing! But did you know there health benefits that go beyond the cosmetic ones? Crowded teeth or a badly aligned bite can lead to a whole host of other health problems such as headaches, jaw pain, tooth grinding, gum disease, and general inflammation.

Teens have way too much going on to have to take time out for preventable problems like these! Invisalign orthodontic treatment results in a straighter, more aligned smile, as well as an optimal bite. This not only makes teeth more attractive, but leaves them easier to clean, and functioning in the way that they should be.

Can your teen keep track?

It’s only natural to worry about whether or not your teen can handle the responsibility of Invisalign. The system is only at its most effective when the aligners are worn for the recommended 20-22 hours per day, being sure to change them out every one or two weeks. But don’t let that scare you! Our teens are often a lot more responsible than we give them credit for, and Invisalign is actually a great chance for them to prove it.

Studies have shown that teens tend to wear their aligners for just under 21 hours per day over the course of treatment, which is exactly as recommended, but just in case, Invisalign also includes a kind of built-in assurance check. Every aligner comes with blue indicators that will fade over time when used as directed. This allows both parents and orthodontists to track compliance.

Oh, and one more thing – you’ll never need to worry about aligners being lost. Invisalign offers six replacement aligners for free!

Invisalign for teens with Bret Johnson Orthodontics

We’re proud to be a certified Invisalign Teen provider for the Spokane, Colville, and surrounding areas. If you or your teen have wondered if Invisalign might be the right orthodontic fit for your lives, get in touch today to schedule a free smile analysis with Dr. Johnson. We’re here to get your teen on the road to a beautifully self-confident smile!