Patient Guides

What are the options?

Invisalign has several treatment options available for teenagers, depending on the stage of teeth development. Some teenagers will be suitable for the same Invisalign treatment as adult patients. Younger teenagers, or those who don’t have all of their adult teeth erupted can be treated with Invisalign for kids and teenagers – a treatment designed specifically for teenagers.

Why Invisalign Teen?

Invisalign for teenagers has been developed with teenagers, parents and leading orthodontists who understand the active lifestyles and unique treatment needs of teenage patients. The Invisalign for teenagers aligners are made with the same Invisalign technology used for Invisalign aligners, moving teeth gradually without the need for metal or wires. But because teens (and their mouths) are constantly on the move, there are a few special features: 

• Blue Wear Indicators

Blue wear-indicators at the rear of the aligners that fade from blue to clear will help the doctor and parents identify if the patient has been wearing their aligners for the enough length of time.

• Eruption Compensators

In order to compensate for the eruption of canines, second premolars and second molars, special features have been created. 

Comparison of Functional Appliance Methods

Invisalign Teen for Complex Cases:

Treatment length: 18-24 Months – 6 months quicker

Treatment plan: Single phase combined treatment. Corrects goofy teeth & straightens teeth together

Speech: Unaffected by Invisalign

Visibility: Invisible

Comfort: Very comfortable

Lost braces: No cost for lost aligners 

Twin Block & Fixed Braces:

Treatment length: 24-36 Months

Treatment plan: 2 Phases – Overjet correction & tooth straightening done separately

Speech: Affected by twin block

Visibility: Obtrusive

Comfort: Variable

Lost braces: Expensive 

Invisalign Mandibular Advancement

Mandibular advancement from Invisalign is only available to growing patients who are in the late baby dentition to permanent dentition, 10-15 years of age.  This includes the Invisalign Teen and Invisalign for Children treatments.

Can you tell me more about Invisalign treatment with Mandibular advancement?Invisalign doesn’t use traditional brackets and wires. Instead, it uses precision wings, located on the top and bottom aligners. These wings interlock to hold the jaw in a forward position.  

This offers the first clear aligner solution for Class II correction, resulting in moving (posturing) the lower jaw forward while simultaneously aligning the teeth. This constant posturing will have some alveolar bone remodelling that will allow for some correction. This may mean shorter treatment times for patients because previously, orthodontists would correct the jaw position first, then move the teeth at a later phase of treatment. If both can be accomplished at the same time, patients are able to realise shorter treatment times. 

The great thing about this is that this offers a very patient-friendly way to achieve great results in about half the time. 

What are Class II Treatments?

In Class II treatments, doctors are aligning the teeth and advancing the lower jaw to improve the patient’s profile. Invisalign Teen with mandibular advancement is designed to replicate the action of commonly used functional appliances for Class II correction through new upper and lower ‘precision wings’ which hold the mandible in a forward position, while simultaneously correcting malocclusion and crowding issues. Traditionally, doctors usually correct the mandible position and straighten the teeth in separate phases, resulting in a longer overall treatment time.