Invisalign® for Teens in Boston

Many teens are good candidates, but it depends on their teeth, their bite and how consistently they will wear aligners. The only way to know is an exam and a 3D scan.

At your teen’s consultation, the dentist looks at:

• Which teeth have come in. Aligners are planned around the teeth that are present and those still erupting.
• Their bite. Crowding, spacing and many bite problems can be treated with aligners. Suitability is case-dependent, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO).
• Their oral health. The AAO says any dental work should be completed before scanning, so we check for cavities and gum health first.
• Their habits. Aligners only work when they are worn, so we talk honestly with your teen about what that takes.

If aligners aren’t the right fit for your teen’s teeth, your dentist will explain why and talk through other options.

Dental Arts of Boston is a general dental practice; Invisalign care is led by our general dentist Dr. Michelle Stevens, together with Dr. George Stevens.

Your teen wears a series of custom clear aligners that move their teeth step by step toward a planned position. Each new set continues the movement.

1. Consultation and exam. We check teeth and gums and answer your questions.
2. 3D scan. We take a digital iTero® scan instead of messy impressions.
3. ClinCheck® plan. You and your teen can review a preview of the planned tooth movements before treatment starts.
4. Aligners and attachments. Small tooth-colored shapes called attachments may be added to some teeth to help the aligners grip and move them.
5. Regular check-ins. We see your teen about every six to eight weeks to check progress and provide new aligners.
6. Retainers. After treatment, a retainer helps hold the new position.

Align says aligners should be worn “20–22 hours a day,” removed only for eating, drinking anything other than water, and brushing. Your teen switches to a new set weekly or every two weeks, as the dentist directs.

Parents often ask this, and it matters, because aligners only move teeth while they’re in. Some treatment plans include features designed with teens in mind.

• Wear indicators. Some aligners include compliance indicators, which change color with wear. They give a rough visual cue of how much the aligners are being worn.
• Room for growing teeth. Some treatment plans include eruption compensation, which leaves space for molars that are still coming in.

Align lists both as features of its Comprehensive package. Your dentist will explain which features are part of your teen’s plan.

Tips that help at home:

• Keep the aligner case in a backpack so aligners go in the case, not a napkin.
• Set a phone reminder to put aligners back in after meals.
• Brush or rinse before putting aligners back in.

Yes. Aligners are removable, so your teen can take them out for a game, according to Align. Store them in their case and put them back in afterward.

For contact sports, the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry (AAPD) recommends properly fitted mouthguards for activities with a risk of mouth and face injury. Ask your dentist how your teen should protect their teeth during sports while in aligners.

Teens who play a wind instrument can talk with the dentist about practice and performance times at the consultation.

Your teen takes aligners out to eat, so there’s no list of forbidden foods like there is with braces. With aligners in, the AAO says to drink only tap water.

After eating, your teen should clean their teeth before putting aligners back in. This keeps food and sugar from being trapped against the teeth.

Call our office. The AAO notes that a lost aligner can extend treatment. We will tell you whether to move to the next set, go back to the previous one, or order a replacement.

Both can straighten teeth. Aligners are clear and removable but depend on daily wear. Braces stay on full time, and some tooth movements respond better to them. Read our comparison of Invisalign vs. braces.

Insurance, HSA/FSA and financing can help; see Invisalign cost and payment options.

Find out whether clear aligners are a good fit for your teen. Schedule Online or call 857-376-6559 to book a consultation at our Back Bay office.

See also: Invisalign for adults · Living with Invisalign

Sources: Align: wear time and change interval · Align FY2025 10-K (Comprehensive features) · Align: aligners and sports · Align: retainers · AAO aligner FAQ · AAO aligner FAQ, page 2 · AAPD sports policy