Invisalign Teen

[Longsx3]

So went to the Orthodontist tonight and we are considering the Invisalign option for DD(12), they are about $500 more but considering she will be able to brush and floss better, plus less pain, that it would be worth the additional cost. I am hoping for some opinions?

 

[Longsx3]

no one?

 

[monkey68]

My friend had them, but she's not a teen. She did it because she's a teacher and didn't want to be in front of a class with braces. Although I think she said she had to have them longer than with conventional braces, and wear a retainer for longer as well. I had regular braces as a teen, and had no problems with flossing. They sell these things that you stick through the metal to get the floss in between your teeth. Takes some getting used to, but then it's fine. But it was also "cool" to have braces when I was a teen, everyone was getting all sorts of crazy colors every month, alternating colors and whatnot. I had a rainbow mouth at times, my parents hated it, but I loved it.

Would your daughter be more confident with invisalign braces? I was never one to have self esteem issues, so I didn't mind having a mouth full of metal, but my sister didn't and got clear braces. You wouldn't want your daughter being self concious for however long she has to wear them.

 

[kirbsam]

sometimes they need to go into braces to finish up. make sure you ask that question.

 

[2Kds2K9]

I took my DD and DS to three orthodontists and two said NO to the Invisalign. They had various reasons, but did not recommend them for kids under 18. One consensus was the constant brushing and cleaning. The have to be removed before eating, the teeth brushed, and then put back in. Both said if they did not get a chance to brush before putting them back in, it could lead to serious problems.

My DD12 was a good candidate for these, but did not want them once it was all explained to her.

DD gets her braces off next month. She only wore them for about 13 months and had no major complaints.

Good luck!

 

[bluesaturn]

I had them for 10th to 12th grade. I really liked them, and we decided to go with invisalign because I was getting braces right when everyone else was getting them off. I didn't want them for prom and senior pictures and such. They are nice because you can take them out to eat (which she will want to do cause they get gross if you keep them in).

I would also make sure she is ready for the responsibility though. They won't work if you don't wear them, so she will need to be diligent about putting them in. There is still pain, and it can be more frustrating because you know if you take them out they won't hurt anymore, but you can't.

Let me know if you have any other questions.

 

[bluesaturn]

I took my DD and DS to three orthodontists and two said NO to the Invisalign. They had various reasons, but did not recommend them for kids under 18. One consensus was the constant brushing and cleaning. The have to be removed before eating, the teeth brushed, and then put back in. Both said if they did not get a chance to brush before putting them back in, it could lead to serious problems.

My DD12 was a good candidate for these, but did not want them once it was all explained to her.

DD gets her braces off next month. She only wore them for about 13 months and had no major complaints.

Good luck!

They never told me to brush them before putting them back in (after eating). So maybe this depends on the preference of the dentist? Or maybe they changed the protocol now lol. I had no issues with staining of my teeth, but you do need to brush the invisalign things every night to prevent them from becoming gross.

I think that they are really only a good option for very responsible, older teens. At 12 it's really too much work, and most of her friends probably have braces on anyway.

 

[Longsx3]

Thanks everyone, I will explain the brushing to DD. So far she really wants the invisalign becasue she wants to avoid the pain of having the braces placed...she has never even had a cavity mainly because she brushes very well because of her fear of the dentist.

Also the Ortho did say that the invisalign would be better for playing Soccer, she could wear a mouth guard and the invisalign. With traditional braces, she could not play goalie.

 

[mamamary]

Just an FYI - my son's braces never hurt. The only thing that bothered him was the palital expander. Not everyone has pain from braces - unless he was just lucky

 

[aprilgail2]

Just an FYI - my son's braces never hurt. The only thing that bothered him was the palital expander. Not everyone has pain from braces - unless he was just lucky

My 9 year old just had braces put on a week ago. She came out smiling stating "they didn't hurt at all being put on". People were telling her horrow stories about how much they hurt etc (even ADULTS which REALLY ticked me off- what would an adult have to be thinking to tell a child that it was goign to really hurt and how much they would not be able to eat some of their favorite things???). It took her a day to get used to them but after a day everything was back to normal, no more weird faces etc LOL.

 

[Longsx3]

Thanks for all of the positives about traditional braces, I will talk with DD.

 

[PlutoPony]

Also the Ortho did say that the invisalign would be better for playing Soccer, she could wear a mouth guard and the invisalign. With traditional braces, she could not play goalie.

Really? My son played goalie for 2 years with braces in a competitive travel league.... Ortho suggested a mouth guard (and gave us one in fact) but never discouraged him from playing with braces. We know lots of kids with traditional braces who play football and lacrosse as well.

Being somewhat cynical, I'm thinking the ortho is pushing these because of the additional $$....

 

[Longsx3]

Hmm, Pluto Pony I see what you are saying however two teammates also did not play goalie due to traditional braces...different ortho. Also the price is not that much more, less than $500.