Is There a Difference between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen?

You’ve heard of Invisalign, the clear aligners that make it possible to correct certain orthodontic problems without the downsides of traditional braces. The subtle appearance, ease of oral hygiene, and lack of dietary restrictions make them an especially popular option for adults. For teens, there’s Invisalign Teen. They function much the same way, but there are some differences that are worth noting.

Eruption Tabs

One of the biggest differences between Invisalign and Invisalign Teen is that Invisalign Teen has eruption tabs. Eruption tabs help accommodate teens who haven’t quite gotten all of their permanent teeth in yet or who still have some of their baby teeth. These aligners can be built with spaces that allow adult teeth to erupt through. That’s not necessary for adults who get Invisalign since they should have all of their teeth by that point (with the possible exception of wisdom teeth).

Replacement Aligners

Teens tend to be a bit more forgetful than adults, at least on average. Because of that, Invisalign Teen often comes with a few more sets of replacement aligners. That allows treatment to continue uninterrupted if aligners are lost or broken. It can also help reduce your stress as a parent over the hassle of getting aligners replaced if they become lost or broken. Invisalign Teen comes with 6 sets of replacement aligners, so you should be pretty well covered.

Compliance Indicators

Both Invisalign and Invisalign Teen can only be effective if they are worn properly and for the necessary amount of time. Clear aligners should be worn for 22 hours out of the day to work properly. That’s sometimes more difficult for teens than adults, which is why Invisalign Teen comes with compliance indicators. These indicators are blue dots on the backs of the aligners that fade away over two weeks, or 336 hours, as the aligners are used correctly. They aren’t visible when the aligners are worn, so your teen doesn’t have to worry about other people seeing them. 

Adults aren’t the only ones who don’t want to deal with the look and inconvenience of traditional braces. Plenty of teens may prefer the advantages of using clear aligners as well. If your teen would benefit from braces, talk to Dr. Maccaro to see if they are a good candidate for Invisalign Teen. It may be a better option for everyone involved.

Interested in Invisalign Teen? Click here to learn more about it from Maccaro Orthodontics & Pediatric Dentistry today!