Invisalign Teen vs Silver Braces

In this day and age, it seems as though looks are everything, especially for young adults. Impressing friends and significant others, fitting in at school and having that level of self-confidence to succeed seems to be on the minds of many teenagers. With social media continuously evolving, it’s no wonder why more and more adolescents just want to look and feel their best, and we don’t blame them!

When your orthodontist drops the bomb that your teen needs braces, don’t panic. There are other ways to get that priceless smile. Let’s chat about the difference between two popular products for young adults, Invisalign Teen and silver braces.

What is Invisalign Teen?

Like Invisalign, Invisalign Teen consists of clear plastic aligners that gradually straighten teeth. Not only are the aligner trays clear, they are also removable. Invisalign Teen differs from traditional Invisalign to accomodate for the younger patients wearing them. For instance, blue compliance indicators are a part of the Invisalign Teen aligners. Gradually fading from blue to clear, the indicators will be a tell-tale sign to parents and orthodontists if their teen is complying with the 20-22 hours per day they should be wearing the aligners. If the indicator is still blue when it’s time to switch to the next set of aligners, that’s a sign the current set hasn’t been worn accordingly.

The Benefits of Invisalign Teen

Many teens and young adults are choosing Invisalign Teen, and for good reason. There are many benefits of this particular choice of orthodontic treatment, including:

• No food restrictions
• Brush and floss with ease
• No poking edges or wires
• Better self-esteem

This is a big deal for teens who are actively involved with sports, theater, and other extracurricular activities. Teenagers, males especially, admit to being hesitant to wearing braces, but with Invisalign Teen, orthodontists are getting the same results as braces, as long as patients are getting consistent wear with the aligners.

How Do Silver Braces Work?

If you’re not familiar with silver braces , they are the most traditional form of braces and are made up of wires attached to brackets fastened onto the teeth. They are gradually tightened to guide teeth into their desired position. Silver braces are generally composed of a mix of stainless steel, nickel and other types of metal, and can be customized by opting for colored bands that attach to the brackets.

Modern silver braces are also far different than the kinds of braces you grew up with. This is especially true with custom braces, which use a more precise fit to give your teen better results. You’ll also appreciate the fact that you’ll need to make fewer trips for checkup appointments.

The Stats on Silver Braces

In 2014, a teen confidence survey was conducted using teens who had been wearing braces. It was learned that 84% of the subjects reported they did not feel as though they fit in while wearing metal braces, and 33% felt awkward. Lower self-esteem was reported in 18% of the subjects, 17% reported they were teased, and 28% said that they didn’t like how they looked. The top three worries while having metal braces included:

• Having food stuck in teeth
• Being in pain
• Having cuts in the mouth from the brackets

Being a teen is tough. There is a lot going on with school and extracurricular activities, not to mention the struggle to fit in. It’s important to speak with your orthodontist about your options for orthodontic treatment and find the solution that works best for your teen. Think positively and know that they’ll be on their way to getting a fabulous smile they can enjoy for the rest of their life!