When Is the Best Age to Get Invisalign?

At Wedding Thompson Orthodontics, we are proud to offer Invisalign as one of our treatment options for our patients. Invisalign is an incredibly popular treatment as it is convenient, affordable, invisible, and easy to care for and maintain. Over the years, Invisalign has become similar in cost to traditional metal braces, making it even more accessible to people who need teeth alignment.

If you have been considering Invisalign for you or your family, there is no better time to check it out! Dr. Wedding or Dr. Thompson will be happy to sit down with you to discuss Invisalign along with other treatment options to see what might work best for your family’s unique dental needs. Let’s take a look at the perks of Invisalign based on the age of you or your child, to see if it’s a good fit for you!

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign first came onto the orthodontic scene about 20 years ago. Back then, Invisalign aligners were seen as the specialty treatment option for patients who could afford the extra expense and only needed minor orthodontic changes. Since then, the Invisalign technology has improved significantly, making it possible for many people with different needs to use clear aligners for their treatment, with a cost that is similar to braces! Their convenience and discreet design make them extremely popular with patients of all ages!

The treatment works by using clear plastic aligners to slowly shift teeth and jaw into a healthier alignment. This shifting takes place over several months or years as the patient changes out the aligners every one to two weeks. The clear aligners must be worn at all times except when eating, drinking, or brushing in order to be effective. This means that they need to be cleaned regularly, and kept in your designated case during meals.

When to Avoid Invisalign

Though Invisalign is a great option for many patients, it’s not always the right treatment option for everyone. The best way to know if Invisalign will work for you or your child is to have a consultation with a local orthodontist. Depending on the type of jaw, bite, and teeth configuration that you have, your orthodontist might recommend metal or ceramic braces instead.

Over the years, Invisalign technology has improved making it possible to treat many dental problems with aligners instead of braces. This is great news, as it means that orthodontics will be more accessible and affordable for more people. As mentioned before, check in with your orthodontist for a customized consultation to see if Invisalign is right for you!. And we never recommend doing mail-order orthodontics to ensure your teeth are shifted in the safest and healthiest way possible by a certified orthodontist.

Can Kids and Teens Get Invisalign?

Absolutely! The truth is, kids and teens are often some of our best patients when it comes to Invisalign. They love the low profile and not having to stay away from some of their favorite crunchy or sticky foods, like they might have to with traditional metal brackets. There are some kids that even from a young age are fully capable of managing the wear and care of their retainers! The same goes for teenagers. Some teens are ready to take on some responsibility and really understand the importance of wearing their retainers regularly and keeping is clean and safe.

This certainly isn’t true for every child, and that’s okay. Other orthodontic interventions, like braces, are always available for every child. Braces guarantee that orthodontic treatment moves forward, however, younger kids and teens are still responsible for taking care of their braces, so it’s not just an “install and forget it” situation. So any way you look at it, your child will have some commitments.

Invisalign for Young Adults

At Wedding Thompson Orthodontics we often have 20 and 30-somethings coming into our office requesting Invisalign once they have started full-time jobs and have some disposable income to invest in orthodontics. It’s a time of life when their appearance and first impressions are important–with job interviews, dates, weddings, and more!

Invisalign is a great fit for these young adults who need to prioritize convenience as they juggle busy lives with orthodontic appointments. They also tend to appreciate how discreet Invisalign is when they are socializing and at the workplace.

Invisalign for Older Adults

By the time you are hitting your 40’s, 50’s, and 60’s, the truth of the matter is that your body is beginning to age. Improper bites, grinding or clashing teeth, and crowded teeth, can all be the recipe for decay and tooth loss if precautions are not made. It’s a great idea for older adults to come in for an orthodontic visit to see how aligned teeth can help give them better oral health for longer as they age.

We often recommend Invisalign to older adults who don’t need to flaunt their orthodontic treatment, while still taking great care of their teeth and future.

owensboro family orthodontist

No Matter Your Age, Find Your Fit at Wedding Thompson Orthodontics

At Wedding Thompson Orthodontics, we are eager to support you on your orthodontic journey no matter what your age! Dr. Wedding and Dr. Thompson are here to consult about your care plan and give you advice on which treatment options will work best for you. Plus, they have been recommending Invisalign retainers for years, and are experts at getting the best results from wearing aligners. Give us a call at our Owensboro office today to schedule your free consultation!