Invisalign for Teens vs. Adults: What’s the Difference?

Invisalign has reshaped the world of orthodontics with its clear, comfortable and effective aligners. Since 2000 when Invisalign first hit the market, adults have flocked to this discreet alternative to traditional braces, but did you know Invisalign has tailored its product specifically for teens too? To date, 5 million teens have benefited from Invisalign treatment.  

If you're considering Invisalign for yourself or your teenager, understanding the key differences between Invisalign for Teens and Invisalign for Adults can help you make the best decision for your dental health.

What is Invisalign?

Let’s quickly recap what Invisalign is before we delve into the differences. Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that utilizes clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten the teeth. Unlike conventional metal braces, Invisalign aligners are almost invisible, making them a tempting option for people of all ages. The aligners are custom-made using 3D digital scans and are replaced every 1-2 weeks to gradually shift the teeth into the desired position.

Both adults and teens can benefit from Invisalign, but the way the system is tailored for each group differs in several key areas.

Invisalign for Teens: The Key Features

1. Compliance indicators

Compliance plays a significant role in the success (or not) of Invisalign treatment since patients must wear their aligners for 20-22 hours a day. To help parents and their dentist know the teen is complying with this recommendation, Invisalign has added small blue dots, or compliance indicators, on the aligners that gradually fade as the teen wears them. Clever eh!

Since teens can forget or be unwilling to wear their aligners for the allotted time, compliance indicators ensure treatment stays on track.

2. Replacement aligners

If you’re living with a teen, you know how often they lose or misplace things and Invisalign aligners are no exception. Understanding this, Invisalign offers up to six free replacement aligners as part of the teen package. This allows for a bit of flexibility, so parents don’t have to worry about the cost of replacing lost aligners.

3. Eruption tabs for growing teeth

When a teen starts their Invisalign treatment, it’s likely their teeth may not be fully developed. But no worries. Invisalign has accounted for this with eruption tabs, which leave space for any molars or other teeth that have yet to fully emerge. This feature ensures that as the teeth grow, the aligners can adapt, offering a seamless treatment even for teens with developing smiles.

4. Focus on compliance and flexibility

Generally, compliance isn’t an issue for most adults because they’re more motivated to achieve their dream smile and will adhere to the treatment plan. However, with teens, it’s best to allow for some flexibility, hence the compliance indicators and replacement aligners, meaning treatment can continue smoothly even with minor hiccups.

Invisalign for Adults: Focus on Aesthetic and Professional Needs

While teens are dealing with growing teeth, adults have other concerns, primarily aesthetics and lifestyle.

1. Aesthetics and discretion

More adults than ever are seeking orthodontic treatment and that’s primarily due to the discretion offered by clear aligner systems like Invisalign. Adults prefer the discreet appearance of Invisalign compared to traditional metal braces and find it gives them more confidence both in the workplace and social settings. For any adult concerned with how their orthodontic treatment will be perceived when attending job interviews or performing a presentation, for example, Invisalign offers a compelling solution.

2. Longer treatment for complex Issues

While Invisalign for Teens often deals with orthodontic problems in their early stage, Invisalign for Adults may address more complex issues that have developed over time, such as misaligned bites, overcrowding, or gaps in teeth. As a result, treatment for adults can sometimes be longer, depending on the complexity of the case.

3. Custom treatment plans

Invisalign for adults is extremely customizable. While many adults may be looking for quick cosmetic fixes others may require more complex care. The great thing about Invisalign is it can be tailored to fit these varying needs, with treatment times typically ranging from 12 to 18 months for most adults.

4. Increased focus on retainers and post-treatment care

Adults are more likely to need long-term retainers after completing Invisalign treatment to maintain their newly straightened teeth. While teens might eventually stop wearing retainers after their teeth have settled, adults may need to wear theirs for a lifetime (at night) to ensure the teeth don’t shift back to their original position. Invisalign’s Vivera retainers are often recommended for adults to maintain their results.

Invisalign Stats: Effectiveness Across Age Groups

Invisalign has helped 18 million people worldwide achieve straighter teeth, including 5 million teens according to date on file at Align Technology (the company behind Invisalign) in June 2024. The results are impressive, and both teens and adults can expect an effective, comfortable, and discreet solution for orthodontic issues.

According to a survey by Invisalign, 96% of patients were satisfied with their treatment with 9 out of 10 patients saying they would recommend the treatment to their friends.

While these statistics are promising for both teens and adults, it's clear that Invisalign has been designed with the unique needs of each group in mind.

Which option is right for you or your teen?

When deciding between Invisalign for adults and Invisalign for teens, it’s vital to factor in the specific needs of the patient. Invisalign Teen is a great choice for growing adolescents because of the additional features like compliance indicators, eruption tables and replacement aligners.

Conversely, for young adults whose priority is discretion, and faster treatment options or who have complex dental issues, traditional Invisalign may best suit their lifestyle and needs.

Chesterfield Dentistry: Your Invisalign Experts

If you’re interested in Invisalign for yourself or your teen, the first step is to schedule a consultation. At Chesterfield Dentistry, we offer both Invisalign for Teens and Adults, providing personalized treatment plans to help you achieve a healthy, beautiful smile.

Ready to get started?

Contact us today to book your consultation and learn if Invisalign is the right solution for you or your teen. Our experienced orthodontic team will guide you through every step of the process to ensure you get the best possible results.

Call us at 314-936-3621 or visit our website at Chesterfield Dentistry to schedule an appointment.