Invisalign for Teens: How Long Before Seeing Results?

Whether you choose Invisalign® for teens or another method for straightening your child's teeth, the change occurs gradually. Understandably, your teen may be impatient and want to know when results start being visible. One of the benefits of this method of tooth straightening is that you and your child can get a preview of how the treatment will progress with a time-lapse presentation of 3D models that shows exactly which changes will happen in what order. This should give your teen an idea of what to expect and when.

How does Invisalign® for teens work, and how does that affect the time that your teen starts seeing results?

Rather than putting pressure on all of your teen's teeth at once, Invisalign® is designed to work on only a few teeth at a time. Teeth that are already properly aligned are left alone, while the appliances work on those that are crooked to move them into a better position. This targeted approach reduces the overall treatment time required to straighten teeth, but it can take longer to start seeing results than it would if all of your child's teeth were moving at the same time. Occasionally, Invisalign® patients start seeing results after two weeks time. However, most patients do not see results for up to three months.

Invisalign® is an individualized treatment. Each patient has a custom treatment plan tailored to their own needs. Therefore, it is difficult to predict when each patient will start seeing results because it depends on so many different factors:

  • Diet
  • Genetics
  • Gum conditions
  • Jaw shape
  • Case complexity
  • Patient compliance

What can your child do to minimize treatment time and start seeing results more quickly?

Your child's behavior determines not only how soon results become obvious but also whether the treatment will be completed on time.

Take care of the aligners

To be a candidate for Invisalign®, children must be responsible enough to care for their own aligners. If a set is lost or damaged, your teen may have to go back to the previous set to avoid regression until your provider can make replacements.

Change aligners on time

Finding time for appointments can be tricky between your child's homework schedule and extracurricular activities. However, teens need to make each appointment to change their aligners on schedule to avoid delays in overall treatment time. Keeping to the schedule also helps your teen to be able to see results more quickly.

Wear aligners the recommended number of hours per day

Your teen will receive instructions about how many hours the aligners must be worn per day. Usually, it is between 20 to 22 hours, meaning that your child must wear the aligners all night and during most of the day. If teens participate in sports, they may remove their aligners during practices and games to make room for the mouthguard that protects their teeth from injury. Otherwise, the only activities for which your child should remove the aligners are eating and performing oral hygiene.

Conclusion

Invisalign® for teens should start showing visible results well before treatment is over. However, it may be a matter of months rather than weeks.

Request an appointment here: https://universalcity.ucsmilesortho.com or call UC Smiles Orthodontics at (210) 593-7623 for an appointment in our Universal City office.

Check out what others are saying about our dental services on Yelp: Invisalign for Teens in Universal City, TX.

Related Posts

Why Choose Ceramic Braces? A Modern Orthodontic Solution

If you are considering teeth straightening treatment, ceramic braces are one of the options available for you. An orthodontist may suggest braces for many reasons. Thanks to innovations in dental technology, braces, especially more modern versions like ceramic braces, are much more comfortable to wear. Compared to traditional metal braces, ceramic braces are less noticeable…

Transform Your Smile Today With Orthodontic Treatment

Curious about orthodontic treatment? Read on to learn more. Straight teeth and properly aligned jaws make for a healthy and functional smile. Many people are lucky to have naturally straight teeth, but others require orthodontic intervention to correct overcrowding, gaps, or misalignment. In some cases, orthodontic therapy can extend far beyond repositioning the teeth in…

Braces Specialist: Your Path To Straighter Teeth

Looking for a braces specialist? Read on to learn more. You might be hesitant to see a braces specialist if you already see a general dentist regularly. In some cases, patients have an individual situation that requires consulting a specialist. Generally, these professionals have more experience in orthodontics and a consultation with them might make…

6 Benefits Of Invisalign®: A Clear Choice For Your Smile

Invisalign® is a modern teeth-straightening option that serves as an alternative to metal braces. Invisalign eliminates the need for brackets and wires; instead, it uses a series of clear plastic aligners to realign the teeth. Although lots of individuals are aware of the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign, like a straighter smile, there are also health…

UC Smiles Orthodontics

Share
Published by
UC Smiles Orthodontics

Recent Posts

Why Choose Ceramic Braces? A Modern Orthodontic Solution

Thanks to innovations in dental technology, braces, especially more modern versions like ceramic braces, are…

2 weeks ago

Transform Your Smile Today with Orthodontic Treatment

Orthodontic treatment involves the use of specialized devices to move teeth gradually and precisely in…

1 month ago

Braces Specialist: Your Path To Straighter Teeth

Orthodontists treat many different types of dental problems, including misaligned teeth, crowded teeth or gaps…

3 months ago

6 Benefits of Invisalign®: A Clear Choice for Your Smile

Although lots of individuals are aware of the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign®, like a straighter…

4 months ago

Traditional Braces vs. Clear Braces for Teens

Clear braces for teens and metal braces work using the same components, but the materials…

4 months ago

A Pediatric Orthodontist Shares Important Treatment Milestones

A pediatric orthodontist is a dental health professional who seeks to make sure children’s teeth…

6 months ago