Invisalign vs. Braces for Teens: What Beverly Parents Ask Us Most

Is my teen old enough for Invisalign?

Usually, once most of the permanent teeth have come in, which for many kids is somewhere around 11 to 13. Aligners move teeth that are already in place, so a mouth still full of baby teeth is often better served by waiting or by a different approach. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check around age 7, so problems that need early treatment are caught in time. If your teen is past that point and hasn't been evaluated, a consult is a good place to start.

Does Invisalign work as well as braces?

For the problems most teens have (crowded teeth, gaps, and mild to moderate overbites, underbites and crossbites), aligners can produce results comparable to braces when they're worn as directed. Braces still have an edge for some situations: large bite corrections, teeth that need significant rotation or vertical movement, and jaw-growth problems. Dr. Rowe will tell you honestly at the consult if your teen's case falls into that group, and refer to an orthodontist when that's the better path.

Will my teen actually wear them?

This is the real question, and you know your teen better than we do. Aligners stay in all day and night, including at meals, and come out only to brush. A teen who leaves them out after brushing or "forgets" them for a weekend will slow treatment down or stall it. Teen aligners include wear indicators that fade with use, which helps you and us see whether they're being worn. If wear time is likely to be a battle, braces may be less stressful for everyone.

School, sports and music

• School: aligners are nearly invisible, and there are no wires to break before a picture day. Checkups can be on Saturdays, so your teen doesn't miss class.
• Sports: aligners stay in for practice and games. With braces, a mouthguard is needed and lip cuts are more common.
• Wind and brass instruments: many players find aligners easier than brackets, though there is a short adjustment period with either.

Eating, brushing and emergencies

With aligners, your teen eats with them in and takes them out only to brush. The trade-off is discipline: brush after meals, rinse the aligners before putting them back in, and keep them in their case while brushing, not on a napkin. With braces, hard and sticky foods are off the table and brushing around brackets takes longer, so cavities and white spots around brackets are a real risk for teens who don't brush well. Broken brackets and poking wires mean extra visits; lost aligners mean a call to us so we can tell you whether to move to the next tray or order a replacement.

What does it cost?

Teen treatment is often priced higher than adult treatment elsewhere, and many quotes leave out refinements or retainers. Invisalign at Comfort Family Dental is one all-inclusive fee of $2,999: the consult, scan, photos and X-rays, every aligner, any refinement trays, retainers at the end, and every visit. If your plan includes orthodontic coverage, we check it for free and bill it for you. HSA and FSA funds can be used, and payment options are listed on our Invisalign page.

How to decide

Read more about how treatment works, see real patient results and check the full price breakdown on our Invisalign page, or see our children's dentistry page for younger kids.

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