Have questions about clear aligner treatment for your teen? We have answers.
Invisalign Teen is generally designed for adolescents whose permanent teeth have mostly erupted, which typically occurs in the early-to-mid teen years. During an evaluation at Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, Dr. Wengler will assess your teen's growth stage and bite development to determine whether the timing is right. For younger children who may benefit from earlier intervention, Invisalign First is available for patients as young as six.
For best results, Invisalign Teen aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. They are removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing, and flossing. Invisalign Teen includes built-in compliance indicators that fade with wear, making it easy for both parents and the provider to confirm the aligners are being worn as recommended.
Treatment time varies based on the complexity of your teen's alignment and their consistency with wearing the aligners. Teen treatment commonly ranges from 12 to 18 months, though some cases may be shorter or longer. At your consultation, Dr. Wengler will provide a personalized estimate based on your teen's specific needs.
Invisalign Teen includes six free replacement aligners as part of the program, recognizing that teens may occasionally misplace a tray. If an aligner is lost, contact our office promptly. Depending on the situation, your teen may wear the previous set temporarily while a replacement is prepared.
Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway is an out-of-network practice by choice, which allows us to use higher quality materials and spend the time each patient truly needs. Many dental insurance plans with orthodontic benefits will still reimburse a portion of the cost for out-of-network providers. We also offer financing options through Cherry and CareCredit. We are happy to discuss costs and payment options at your consultation.
At Wellness Pediatric Dentistry & Airway, Dr. Wengler evaluates not just tooth alignment but also how a teen's jaw development, airway, breathing, and sleep patterns relate to orthodontic concerns. Many alignment issues are connected to airway function, and addressing them together can lead to more comprehensive, longer-lasting results. This whole-child perspective is a defining part of how we approach every Invisalign Teen case at our practice.