Starting Invisalign Teen

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I’m so excited to share more about Invisalign! Not only am I receiving treatment to straighten my teeth as an Invisalign Spokesperson, but Ashley is too! Now I am not just speaking as someone receiving treatment myself, I am also a member of the Invisalign Teen Mom Advisory Board. My daughter has received complimentary treatment, (as have I) from the makers of Invisalign clear aligners, but all opinions expressed are my own.

It’s been a few months since I started Invisalign treatment, and I am already seeing results. Maddie has traditional metal braces, but we hadn’t started teeth straightening for Ashley yet because we were waiting for her to get the rest of her adult teeth. Both she and Maddie were late getting teeth, which totally worked in her favor. We had figured that she would get braces too… and then I got Invisalign, and I learned that they have a program just for teens. I knew Invisalign was the right option for Ashley.

There were a few concerns that I had before we made the final decision to start her in Invisalign treatment that I think most parents would have. Mainly… does it work, what happens if she loses an aligner, and how will I know if she is wearing them enough?

I wasn’t worried too much about her wearing them enough as I was about her losing aligners. She is really responsible, and like her dad, a creature of habit. Once she starts something, she is really good with follow through. But, I also remember being a teen, and having a retainer after I had braces. I remember almost losing it weekly. I myself, was stressed out about this, and I can only imagine how frustrating it was for my parents. 

When I spoke to our orthodontist about Invisalign he set my mind at ease. With Invisalign Teen, your treatment plan cost includes 6 replacement aligners. It’s a huge relief that if her aligners get misplaced, she can have 6 of them replaced at no additional cost. And although I’m not worried about Ashley wearing her aligners enough, there are built in blue indicators that fade with wear so the Orthodontist can know for sure they are being worn enough. When I first started my Invisalign treatment I forgot to put them back in right after I was done eating, so I figured Ashley would be the same time until it became a habit. I was totally wrong. Right from the start, she has been wearing them exactly as recommended, and she hasn’t forgotten to put them back in…not even once. 

I asked Ashley what she likes most about Invisalign, and she said that being able to eat anything she wanted, and being able to wear them during her workouts without worrying about braces getting in the way were the big ones. Her dentist was happy too because it will be easier to take care of her teeth. With braces you simply can’t floss as easily.

Another benefit for us is that there are fewer office visits.

Since we travel so often, and Ashley is busy with her workouts, we don’t have to add more to her schedule compared to what is required with braces. At each appointment, she is sent home with a few aligners and switches them herself which we can do wherever we are in the world. 

I also really love that we are doing this together. Practically speaking, it makes sense since I will be going with her to appointments anyways to have my teeth straightened at the same time. Personally it’s been fun turning those orthodontist visits into little mom and daughter dates. After we get our teeth checked, we normally go out to lunch. We also have both been comparing our teeth’s progress and notes on taking care of our teeth and our aligners. I know that there are a lot of other parents out there like myself that have had our teeth move after having braces, and getting Invisalign together has been a really great for us.

If you or your teen are ready for a straighter smile, visit the Invisalign Smile Assessment to learn more and the Invisalign Dr Locator to see Doctors in your area. 

We are just a couple months into Invisalign Teen for Ashley and we are so excited to see her smile improve with each new aligner!

Do you have any questions about our Invisalign journey to straighter teeth?