Invisalign for teens in Aurora offers a clear, removable alternative to metal braces that fits your teenager’s active lifestyle. These custom aligners straighten teeth discreetly, letting your teen smile self-assuredly through school photos, sports, and social events. At Garlock Orthodontics in Aurora, CO, our orthodontic specialists create custom treatment plans built around your teen and your family’s needs.
What Is Invisalign for Teens?
Invisalign for teens is a clear aligner treatment that uses removable, custom-made trays to straighten teenage teeth without metal brackets or wires. Worn 20 to 22 hours daily and swapped every one to two weeks, the aligners gently shift teeth into ideal positions over 12 to 18 months on average.
Invisalign Teen uses clear SmartTrack aligners designed specifically for teenage mouths. Each custom-made tray fits snugly over your teen’s teeth and applies gentle, steady pressure to shift them into ideal positions over time. It’s a discreet path to a straighter smile.
What makes Invisalign Teen different from the adult version? It’s built for mouths that are still developing. Special eruption tabs accommodate second molars and canines that haven’t fully come in yet. Blue compliance indicators on the aligners fade with wear, helping parents and our team track whether your teen is wearing them enough. Align Technology, the maker of Invisalign, reported reaching its two millionth teen patient in 2020, reflecting how widely accepted clear aligner therapy has become for younger patients.
Your teen will swap aligners every one to two weeks as their teeth move. The aligners need to be worn 20 to 22 hours daily for best results. They’re removed only for eating, drinking anything besides water, brushing, and flossing.
Invisalign Teen treats most common orthodontic issues we see in our Aurora office: crowding, spacing between teeth, overbite, underbite, and crossbite. During your free consult, Dr. Garlock or Dr. Smith will determine if your teen’s specific case is a good fit for clear aligners.
Invisalign Teen vs. Adult Invisalign vs. Traditional Braces
| Feature | Invisalign Teen | Adult Invisalign | Traditional Braces |
|---|---|---|---|
| Compliance indicators | Yes (blue dots fade with wear) | No | Not applicable |
| Eruption tabs for incoming teeth | Yes | No | Not needed |
| Removable for meals/sports | Yes | Yes | No |
| Visibility | Nearly invisible | Nearly invisible | Visible metal |
| Average treatment length | 12-18 months | 12-18 months | 18-24 months |
| Office visits | Every 6-8 weeks | Every 6-8 weeks | Every 4-6 weeks |
| Replacement aligners included | Yes (for lost trays) | No (extra cost) | Not applicable |
| Food restrictions | None | None | Many (no popcorn, sticky foods) |
Benefits of Invisalign for Teens in Aurora
Clear aligners give teens something metal braces can’t: confidence. The nearly invisible design means your teen won’t feel self-conscious during class presentations, yearbook photos, or hanging out with friends. Most people won’t even notice they’re in treatment.
No food restrictions
With traditional braces, popcorn, apples, and chewy candy are off-limits. Invisalign aligners pop out at mealtime, so your teen can eat whatever they want. Just brush before putting the aligners back in.
Better oral hygiene
Brushing and flossing around brackets and wires is tricky. Many teens with braces struggle to clean properly, which can lead to cavities or white spots. Removable aligners make normal brushing and flossing simple.
Fewer office visits
Traditional braces require frequent adjustments and emergency visits when brackets break or wires poke. Invisalign check-ins at our Aurora office happen every six to eight weeks, with no broken brackets to repair.
All-day comfort
No metal means no poking wires or brackets rubbing against cheeks and lips. The smooth plastic aligners feel gentle in your teen’s mouth from the moment they go in.
Sports and music? Still on the table. Athletes can remove aligners for games and wear a regular mouthguard. Musicians playing wind or brass instruments won’t struggle with brackets interfering with their embouchure. Your teen’s activities don’t have to stop for orthodontic treatment.
The Invisalign Teen Treatment Process at Garlock Orthodontics
Invisalign Teen treatment at Garlock Orthodontics involves six steps over 12 to 18 months, with check-ins every six to eight weeks. Here’s what your family can expect:
Step 1: Free consult and digital scan
Your teen’s first visit includes a thorough examination and digital 3D scan using our iTero scanner. No messy putty impressions here. The scan captures precise images of your teen’s teeth in minutes.
Step 2: Custom treatment plan
Using the digital scan, we create a personalized treatment plan. You’ll see a ClinCheck preview showing exactly how your teen’s teeth will move and what their smile will look like after treatment. This gives you a clear picture before committing.
Step 3: Receive custom aligners
Once you approve the plan, your teen’s aligners are manufactured specifically for them. They’ll receive their first set of trays along with instructions on wear and care. New aligners are swapped every one to two weeks.
Step 4: Progress check-ins
Your teen will visit Garlock Orthodontics every six to eight weeks so Dr. Garlock or Dr. Smith can monitor progress and provide the next sets of aligners. These visits are quick, often 15 to 20 minutes, so they fit easily around school and activities.
Step 5: Complete treatment
Average Invisalign Teen treatment takes 12 to 18 months, depending on your teen’s specific case. Some cases finish faster; others take a bit longer.
Step 6: Retainers
After the final aligner, your teen will wear retainers to keep their new smile in place. This step is essential for lasting results.
Is Your Teen a Good Candidate for Invisalign?
Most teens with mild to moderate alignment issues are excellent candidates for Invisalign Teen. Crowding, gaps, and many bite issues respond well to clear aligner treatment.
Good candidates for Invisalign Teen typically meet these criteria:
- Mild to moderate orthodontic needs: crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, or crossbite
- Wear-time commitment: willingness to wear aligners 20 to 22 hours daily
- Responsibility: ability to keep track of trays and not lose them
- Age and development: teens whose mouths are still developing (eruption tabs accommodate incoming molars and canines)
- Hygiene habits: willingness to brush before reinserting aligners after meals
- Engagement: comfortable letting blue compliance indicators help parents and our team track wear
Still-developing mouths aren’t an issue. Invisalign Teen includes eruption tabs that create space for teeth still coming in. This makes it suitable for younger teens whose second molars or canines haven’t fully emerged.
Some cases aren’t ideal for clear aligners alone. More involved bite cases or significant tooth rotation may call for traditional braces or a combination approach. During your free consult at our Aurora office, our orthodontic specialists will examine your teen’s teeth and recommend the right approach.
Not sure if your teen qualifies? That’s exactly what the consult is for. We’ll give you honest answers about what will work best.
What Sets Garlock Orthodontics Apart for Clear Aligners in Aurora
Families throughout Aurora, Centennial, Parker, and Southeast Denver trust Garlock Orthodontics for their teens’ orthodontic care. Our practice combines experienced providers with iTero digital scanning, ClinCheck 3D treatment previews, and Diamond-level Invisalign expertise to deliver the Garlock experience for every teen and family.
Dr. David Garlock, DDS, orthodontic specialist, and Dr. Logan Smith, DDS, bring specialized training to every case. Dr. Garlock leads our practice with years of experience treating teens and families across the Aurora area. Dr. Smith earned his Master’s in Orthodontics from Saint Louis University and has completed advanced Invisalign training. Both doctors maintain professional affiliations with the American Association of Orthodontists and the American Dental Association.
Our iTero digital scanning means easy, accurate impressions. No gagging on putty trays. The digital scans also let us show your teen exactly what their smile will look like after treatment.
Flexible payment options
Flexible payment options make Invisalign Teen accessible for Aurora families. We offer low monthly payment plans and work with your insurance to maximize benefits. Our online payment calculator helps you estimate costs before your visit.
You’re more than a patient with a set of pearly whites. We treat every family like our own, taking time to answer questions and make sure your teen feels at ease throughout teen orthodontics in Aurora.
Beyond clear aligners, we offer other orthodontic services including traditional braces, two-phase treatment for younger patients, and retainers. Whatever your teen needs, we can help.
Frequently Asked Questions About Invisalign for Teens
How much does Invisalign Teen cost in Aurora, CO?
Invisalign Teen costs vary based on case specifics and length, and many cases fall within a similar range as traditional braces. Nationally, Invisalign Teen typically runs between $3,000 and $7,000. During your free consult, we provide a detailed cost estimate and discuss payment options. We accept most dental insurance plans that cover orthodontics and offer low monthly payment plans for families. Our online payment calculator can also give you a quick estimate before your visit.
How long does Invisalign Teen treatment take?
Most Invisalign Teen treatments take 12 to 18 months. Simpler cases may finish sooner, while more involved alignment cases can take longer. Your teen’s treatment timeline depends on their specific orthodontic needs and how consistently they wear their aligners. Daily wear time of 20 to 22 hours is the single biggest factor in keeping treatment on schedule.
What if my teen loses an aligner?
Lost aligners happen. If your teen misplaces a tray, contact our Aurora office right away. Depending on where they are in treatment, we may have them wear the previous aligner or move to the next one. Invisalign Teen includes replacement aligners for this reason, which is one of the features that sets it apart from adult Invisalign.
Does Invisalign Teen work as well as braces?
For appropriate cases, Invisalign Teen achieves results on par with traditional braces. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, clear aligners effectively treat many common orthodontic issues. The key is proper case selection and consistent wear. Our orthodontic specialists will recommend Invisalign only if it’s right for your teen’s situation.
Can my teen play sports or instruments with Invisalign?
Yes. Athletes remove aligners during games and practices, then wear a standard mouthguard. After the activity, they clean their teeth and pop the aligners back in. Musicians find clear aligners much easier to play around than brackets and wires. Many band students prefer Invisalign for this reason.
Will insurance cover Invisalign Teen?
Most orthodontic insurance plans cover Invisalign Teen the same way they cover braces. Coverage amounts vary by plan. Our team verifies your benefits and explains exactly what your insurance will pay before treatment begins.
Schedule Your Teen’s Free Invisalign Consultation in Aurora
Ready to explore Invisalign for your teen? Request a free consultation at Garlock Orthodontics. Your teen will receive a complimentary 3D scan and personalized treatment preview so you can see their future smile before starting.
We often have same-week visits available at our Aurora office. Our team also serves families from Centennial, Parker, and Southeast Denver.
Contact our office today to schedule a free orthodontic evaluation online. Let’s help your teen get started on a self-assured, straighter smile.