While many teenagers who need their teeth braced have no issues wearing traditional braces, some don't want to wear train tracks. Some teens worry about the cosmetic downsides of having an obvious permanent retainer on their teeth for a long period of time; others may not want to put the effort into keeping their braces – and the teeth beneath them – in good condition and may also find the eating restrictions that come with traditional braces too much of a hassle. If you have a teen who has issues with traditional braces, then you may find it useful to investigate the Invisalign range which includes a teen product.

Why Does Invisalign Appeal to Teens?

Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign braces are not as noticeable on the teeth. This solution uses clear plastic retainers rather than fixed metal braces, making the braces themselves less noticeable. If your teen is worried about being teased for wearing braces, then Invisalign options may make them feel more comfortable about having their teeth fixed.

Invisalign braces are also removable. While you're supposed to wear them for most of the time, you are also supposed to take them out whenever you eat. This allows your teen to eat normal foods without worrying about anything hard or chewy affecting their braces. It also ramps down the level of brace care that is needed during treatment.

For example, teens with a traditional brace must take particular care to clean their braces and they should spend more time paying attention to cleaning their teeth, especially around the plates that are glued to their teeth. The fact that you can remove Invisalign trays to clean your teeth and don't have to spend that much time cleaning your retainers may appeal to teens.

Why Does Invisalign Appeal to Parents?

If an Invisalign brace makes your child more willing to have their teeth fixed, then you may find that this is an effective solution for you and your teen. Plus, as a parent, you don't need to worry about making sure that your child takes extra care of their teeth and braces as you can allow them to clean their teeth as usual and may just need to nudge them to clean their trays daily as well. This can take less hard work than traditional braces.

While you may worry that your teen may not wear their Invisalign braces for as much time as they should, the Invisalign teen range of trays gives you a solution for this. This range incorporates a colour-coded system on brace trays that fades with use over time. If your teen doesn't wear Invisalign trays as much as they are supposed to, your orthodontist will be able to pick up on this from changes – or a lack of change – to the colour on the trays.

If you're not convinced that traditional braces will suit your teen or that your child won't put the time and effort into dental care while braced, then it might be worth talking to your orthodontist about using Invisalign as an alternative solution. Bear in mind, however, that Invisalign can't fix all alignment problems and, in some cases, traditional braces may be a better solution for your child.