Are you wondering what the differences are between Invisalign Teen and regular adult Invisalign? The truth is that there are more similarities than differences, but there are a couple of essential components that make them unique. In this Invisalign review, we’ll talk all about how and why they are different, so you can decide what’s best for you and what’s best for your teen when it comes to straightening teeth and correcting jaw misalignment.
What Is Invisalign For Adults?
Did you know that out of the 4 million people in the US who wear braces, 25% are adults? More and more adults are choosing to straighten their teeth, especially thanks to discreet options like Invisalign. Invisalign for adults is a teeth-straightening system that uses invisible braces instead of traditional metal brackets. Invisible braces are plastic aligner trays that are much less noticeable than metal brackets. They are also removable, so you must take them out when you eat, but you also have the option to take them out for a special event.
Invisalign treatment generally involves the following:
Meet with your doctor: Specifically, meet with your Invisalign doctor. You can find a dentist certified in Invisalign treatment by going to the Invisalign site and typing in your zip code. When you do meet with your dentist, they will use Invisalign’s iTero Element scanner, which takes 3D digital scans of your teeth, which they will use to create your customized treatment plan.
Go to your first fitting: Your doctor will use the 3D scans that they took at the initial appointment to develop your treatment plan, and your teeth aligners will be developed in the lab. At this point, it’s time to go in to see your doctor for your first fitting. During this step, your dentist will check that your aligners fit as they should, as well as answer any questions you may have about the treatment process.
Wear your aligners: From the first fitting onward, it’s time to wear your aligners. This involves keeping them in your mouth for 22 hours per day. If you don’t, your treatment can take longer or even fail to provide results.
Check-in with your doctor: Every 6 to 8 weeks, you’ll have an in-person check-up with your dentist. At this time, they will make sure that everything is going according to plan, and if that’s the case, they’ll give you your next aligners.
Vivera retainer: After you’ve finished your treatment with Invisalign, you can ensure that your results last forever by wearing your Vivera retainer. At first, you may have to wear it during the day, but after a few weeks have passed you only need to wear it at night. This retainer doesn’t come included in your treatment, so you must notify your doctor when you finish treatment that you want a retainer.
So that’s a summary of how Invisalign for adults works. Now let’s dive into the details!
Invisalign Treatment Plan
So how exactly does your Invisalign doctor come up with your treatment plan?
- First, your doctor will make a 3D scan of your teeth with the iTero Element scanner. Then, your doctor works closely with Invisalign using ClinCheck software to develop your treatment plan. With this software, your doctor will be able to show you what your smile will look like even before you’ve begun treatment.
- Next, it’s time for your aligners to be made. They are made in a specialized lab using Invisalign’s cutting-edge printing method. They are made from SmartTrack material, which was created especially for Invisalign. Then they are cut contoured along your gum lines for maximum comfort and even less visibility. Each aligner is individually trimmed according to the form of your mouth.
- Finally, each aligner is carefully examined to make sure it meets the standards of Invisalign.
Since Invisalign is so discreet, you can keep living your life when you go through treatment. Specifically, that means:
- You get to eat the same foods as before
- You don’t have to stop playing any sports.
- You can brush and floss regularly.
- You don’t have to worry about wires breaking.
- Nobody will notice you’re wearing them.
While you’re wearing your aligners, there are some things to keep in mind:
- You must take your aligners out to eat and drink, and brush your teeth before you put them back in.
- Make sure to wear your aligners for 20 to 22 hours per day. Failing to do so can delay or disrupt treatment.
- Each set of aligners should be worn for one to two weeks, following your Invisalign doctor’s instructions.
- You must go to your in-person visits every six to eight weeks so your doctor can make sure everything is going well, and give you your next aligners.
- When you begin to wear new sets of aligners, you might feel more discomfort.
- You should rinse them every night, and brush them gently with your toothbrush.
However, you should know that Invisalign pain is something temporary and that it can be easy to clean your aligners if you purchase specific products like Invisalign cleaning system.
Benefits Of Invisalign For Adults
There are myriad benefits of Invisalign for adults. There’s the obvious ‘invisibility’ of Invisalign, but have you really thought of all that could mean? We live in a terribly superficial and judgemental society. Wearing braces could mean everything from not getting a right swipe on Tinder to not landing a new job.
And if you are in an executive position at work, your employees might not take you as seriously if you have a mouth full of metal brackets and wires.
And it’s not just society that’s superficial, we as individuals are very critical about our appearance. Imagine you have an important photo opportunity coming up, maybe even your own wedding. Since you can take Invisalign out for up to four hours per day, you can make sure that your photos are totally braces-free.
The benefits of Invisalign don’t stop there. There’s also the following to consider:
Cleaning is easy: With braces, you have to make sure you’re getting into all of the crevices and cracks, and flossing becomes a real challenge. But since you can take your Invisalign aligners out, you can keep brushing and flossing just like you always have.
Ortho visits: With braces, you have to go around every two to four weeks to check-in with your orthodontist. With Invisalign, however, you only have to go every six to eight weeks.
Same diet: When you get standard metal braces, you have to say goodbye to some of your favorite treats, like popcorn and caramel. But with Invisalign, just make sure to take your aligners out, and you can eat anything you want.
Comfort: Metal braces can cause a lot of problems, especially if you are susceptible to canker sores. The brackets can catch on the inside of your cheeks, and wires and springs can cut delicate tissue. And when you get your wires tightened, it can be extremely uncomfortable. Invisalign is trimmed along the contours of your gums and is made of smooth plastic so you don’t have to worry about any pain and discomfort you would with regular braces.
Effective treatment:Invisalign is an effective way to treat a wide range of issues, including overbite, underbite,diastema, crossbite, open bite, misalignment, and crowding.
Aesthetics: And obviously, the main benefit of Invisalign is that they are discrete. You don’t have to advertise to the world that you are getting orthodontic treatment when you wear them.
Invisalign For Adults Cost
Invisalign comes with a lot of benefits, but in return, you do end up paying a hefty fee. Invisalign aligners are not cheap teeth aligners; they can cost anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000, depending on the level of correction you need.
You can pay for the treatment with Invisalign with the following help as well:
- Your insurance
- Your HSA
- Monthly payment plan
Which Is Better: Invisalign For Adults Or Adult Braces?
The answer to the question “Are braces better than Invisalign” depends on the individual. Invisalign is an effective way to straighten teeth, and since it’s invisible and removable, disrupts your life minimally. If you are someone who’s always in the spotlight, your job may require you to get invisible braces.
On the other hand, you may have a complicated malocclusion case that only an orthodontist can solve using traditional adult braces. If you want a truly impartial opinion from a professional, ask an orthodontist that offers both Invisalign and regular braces for adults what they think is best for you.
Invisalign Teen: What Is It?
Although some may consider metal braces a rite of passage for teenagers to undergo, others prefer to avoid metal mouth at all costs. That’s where Invisalign Teen comes in. These Invisalign alternatives are developed especially for teenagers. This system works in much the same way as Invisalign for adults, with results in as little as six months, and can be especially helpful for athletes who participate in contact sports.
Where Invisalign Teen differs from adult Invisalign is mostly when it comes to accountability measures. Invisalign Teen has compliance indicators that let parents and dentists know if teens are wearing them for the required amount of time every day. There are some other things that just Invisalign Teen comes with, like:
- Up to 6 free replacement aligners
- Eruption tabs that make space for teeth that are still growing in
- Aligners that help with lower jaw advancement and don’t require elastics
Benefits of Invisalign Teen
The benefits of Invisalign Teen are very much like those for adult Invisalign. These benefits include:
Fewer ortho visits: Appointments every 6 to 8 weeks means that your teen won’t have to miss as much school to go to the orthodontist, and you don’t have to miss work to take them.
Easier cleaning: Teens aren’t always the most reliable brushes. With Invisalign, you don’t have to worry about them taking on the extra responsibility of brushing around brackets and wires and flossing with braces as well.
Not diet restrictions: Your teen can keep eating everything from apples to caramel, as long as they remove their aligners to do it.
Self-confidence: It’s already an age where you might not want to call attention to yourself. Invisible braces are the perfect solution to potential self-esteem issues.
How Much Invisalign Teen Costs?
The Teen Invisalign cost is, on average, less than Invisalign for adults, with prices ranging from $2,000 to $5,000. Your child’s dental insurance may help cover some of the costs, or you might be able to speak with their dentist about a monthly payment plan.
Which Is Better For Adolescents: Invisalign Teen or Teen Braces?
The best option for your teen will ultimately depend on how severe their malocclusion is. In extremely complex cases, they will most likely need to get traditional braces, especially with severe jaw alignment issues. Your teen’s dentist or orthodontist can tell you which is the best option in their particular case.
Why Does Invisalign For Adults Differ From Invisalign Teen?
Invisalign for adults and Invisalign Teen have many similarities. After all, they’re both Invisalign brand; they’re both clear aligners, they are removable and more comfortable than traditional braces.
However, as briefly mentioned above, there are some important differences between the two, which we’ll look at more closely.
Main Differences Of Invisalign Teen Compared To Invisalign For Adults
You’ll see that the main differences between Invisalign Teen and adult Invisalign have to do with both the teen psyche and their still-developing jaws and teeth.
Invisalign Teen aligners allow permanent teeth to grow with the Eruption Tabs
One of the most important ways that Invisalign Teen differs from Invisalign adult is the Eruption Tabs. These tabs leave spaces in the aligners for teeth to finish growing.
The aligners have compliance indicators
All Invisalign Teen aligners come with compliance indicators. These indicators are little blue dots that fade away if your teen has been wearing their aligners full-time for two weeks.
Invisalign Teen includes six sets of Replacement Aligners
Teens are teens, their minds are still developing, and they just aren’t as responsible as adults. As a result, they may be more inclined to forget where they left their aligners, or let a pair go through the washing machine in a back jeans pocket. That’s why Invisalign Teen comes with six replacement aligners for no extra charge.
Invisalign For Teens vs Invisalign For Adults
As you now know, there are many more differences between Invisalign Teen and adult Invisalign than just a different name. Have a look at the table below for a summary of the differences.
| ADULT | TEEN | |
|---|---|---|
| Treatment time | 12-18 months | 12-18 months |
| Number of aligners | 20-30 | 20-30 |
| Eligibility | Mild to moderate problems | Mild to moderate problems |
| Compliance indicators | No | Yes |
| Replacement aligners | No | Yes, 6 |
| Eruption tabs for growing teeth | No | Yes |
| Cost | $3,000-$7,000 | $3,000-$5,000 |
If you want a discreet way to straighten your teeth, you may want to consider treatment with Invisalign. Invisalign is a convenient way to straighten your teeth without the whole world knowing about it. These clear plastic aligners are also more comfortable than traditional braces, while still appropriate for treating mild to moderate and even severe malocclusion cases.
Teens can also straighten their teeth with Invisalign. Invisalign Teen comes with compliance indicators and replacement aligners to make sure your teen gets the most out of their treatment and accommodates their lifestyle. To find out if Invisalign is right for you or for your teen, speak with a dentist or orthodontist.
