Is Your Teen Mature Enough for Invisalign
                     IS YOUR TEEN 
MATURE 
ENOUGH FOR 
INVISALIGN?
Now that your child is a teen, you 
have a better idea of what their 
permanent smile looks like.
You may be worried about crooked 
or misaligned teeth, or your teen 
may be begging to get braces like 
their friends.
In most cases, Invisalign is an option 
that we can offer to improve your 
teenager’s smile.
Yet, your teen needs to be mature 
enough to take care of their new 
aligner trays and keep up with their 
oral hygiene.
We encourage you to ask these 
questions to help determine if your child 
might be ready for Invisalign braces.
Are Most
of Their 
Adult 
Teeth In?
We start checking your child’s teeth alignment once the adult 
ones begin to appear.
Yet, beginning orthodontic treatment too early means that you may have 
to prolong the plan or retreat new problems later.
Most children are finished growing in their adult teeth between 
the ages of 11 to 15.
If your child is not, then you may need to wait for them to be 
physically mature enough to start their treatment.
Do They Brush 
Their Teeth 
Without 
Reminders?
Teens love the fact that they can eat and drink what they 
want with Invisalign.
They also get to skip worrying about food getting caught 
in metal wires and brackets.
While plastic aligner trays are more convenient for eating, 
your teen does need to brush and floss after every meal.
This prevents food debris from getting stuck between the aligner trays 
and their teeth where decay can start to form.
If your teen forgets to brush, then remind them that keeping their 
aligner trays clean helps make them more invisible.
Does Your 
Teen Keep Up 
With Their 
Things?
Your teen will also need to remove their trays during meals.
This means that they will also need to remember to put them
in a safe place and to put them back in their mouth when they are done.
Teens who regularly lose their belongings may be at risk for also 
losing their aligners.
We provide our patients with a tray that they can use to store 
the aligners as they eat.
You are also encouraged to notify us right away if an aligner tray 
is lost so that we can arrange for a fast replacement.
Are They Aware 
of the Commitment
Involved?
Invisalign trays must be worn for approximately 20 to 22 hours a day 
for them to work.
Your teen must be willing to wear them to school, while they play 
and overnight.
We will also need to see your teen regularly to check on their 
progress, which means a few extra visits a year to our office.
Talk to your teen about the time involved with caring 
for their appliances.
We can also give your teen aligners with wear indicators that 
help you know that they are keeping them in their mouth.
Have They Expressed 
Concern About
Their Smile?
The teen years are a time when kids tend to become more 
aware of their appearance.
Your child should feel comfortable flashing their smile 
in social situations.
Once your teen’s crooked teeth or misaligned bite causes them
emotional discomfort, it is time to find a solution for treating the problem.
We always assess each teenager on an individual basis.
Your input helps us prescribe a treatment plan that fits your child’s 
physical and emotional maturity.
Please let us know if you or your teen have concerns about the appearance 
of their smile so that we can assess their readiness for Invisalign
at their next appointment.
Noble Dental Care is a family oriented dental care clinic with dentists 
that care about you and your health.
Give us the opportunity to give you the smile of your dreams. 
Call us for an appointment at (480) 820-3515.