Invisilign over braces for a teenage boy?

[Anonymous]

DH took 14 y.o. DS for consult with orthodontist. Came home to report that that office "doesn't do traditional braces." Doc suggested Invisilign instead, which is pricier than what a few others I know have paid for traditional braces. Also, Invisilign seems like it requires more attentiveness and maintenenance than braces, and DS is not known for having great oral hygiene.

Anyone here have experience with their kids and Invisilign? I'm thinking we should get another opinion or two, so feel free to give a shout out to your Maryland orthodontist.

TIA!

[Anonymous]

I was just reading up on them today. Apparently Invisalign is good for low-to-moderate correction. Traditional braces are needed for moderate-to-severe correction. So what do you think your son needs? Do teeth need to be turned, or lengthened?

But I also read you should be wary of dentists who only do invisalign. It may not be the best advice. And apparently they don't have to be true orthodontists to do invisalign.

Are you in Montgomery County? We are so far happy with our ortho.

[Anonymous]

My kids' orthodontist and has told us DS can do either traditional or invisilign. We'll go with traditional -- the main problem I forsee with invisilign is that you have to take it out any time you eat and I'm certain my absent-minded 13 yr old will end up throwing it in the trash at the school cafeteria, just as my brother did with his retainer multiple times.

[Anonymous]

I think you should get a second opinion from an orthodontist who does both -- it doesn't sound right that your ortho only does Invisalign and not regular braces. From what my ortho told me, he recommends one, the other, or either based on the individual kid.

In my 13 year old son's case, we went with Invisalign. Costs were identical from my ortho.

Pros: hygiene is easier because the trays can be removed for brushing and flossing. My son uses a Sonicare toothbrush and the individual flossing picks. It's also easier for him to play trumpet. Visually they are not as obtrusive as regular braces.

Cons: they can get lost. Although my son has probably lost only one set of aligners in over a year, the most commonly heard phrase in my house has become "Has anyone seen my Invisalign case?" My son has developed an annoying habit of clicking them around in his mouth (i.e. sucking them down with his tongue like you can a retainer).

I would still make the same choice over again, but I did have the choice.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and in MoCo I highly recommend Rad2.

[Anonymous]

My 13 yo DD has Invisalign. I liked the fact they don't require as many visits, allow her to brush and floss normally, there are no food restrictions since you remove them to eat, and there are no wires to break. However, taking them out to eat turns out to be an issue for her. She doesn't want to do it at school so she skips lunch. She also dislikes going to restaurants now because of it. There are obvious workarounds but it's a sticking point for her. Finally, she has ADHD so we do have to stay on top of her a bit. I don't know if we would choose them again for her, but they definitely have their pros. We use Rad and the practice is very experienced in Invisalign.

[Anonymous]

I would not recommend it for a teen unless you feel the child is responsible enough to comply and not lose them! It is too easy to not wear them for portions of the day, and he or she will need to take them out every time they need to eat, increasing risk of loss. Also, one thing the dentist will not tell you until you get the treatment is that you MUST brush AND floss after each meal before you put the Invisilign back in...meaning your child will need to carry a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss.

[Anonymous]

How much $ are we talking, Invisalign vs. braces?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:How much $ are we talking, Invisalign vs. braces?

Aren't either about $5k?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:How much $ are we talking, Invisalign vs. braces?

Aren't either about $5k?

depends on what the braces need to do.

[Anonymous]

My 42 year old DH had invisalign and had issues not losing them. I would never trust a 13 year old with them.

How many retainers did you lose as a kid?

[Anonymous]

I'm a PP. DD has had hers for 6 months and has never lost them. The big issue for us as I mentioned is she hates to have to take them out to eat. She also doesn't always put them back in when she should.

[Anonymous]

How does a kid have enough time in school to eat and run to the bathroom to brush and floss? Mine barely have enough time just to eat!

[Anonymous]

My DD is 11 and has been wonderful about wearing them. She was a little concerned about taking them out to eat in public at first but we keep a case in her lunch box so she keeps them there while she eats. It was the same price as regular braces and much easier since there are no eating restrictions or emergency visits for broken brackets. She lost a set once and we just moved up early to the next set of liners and wore them longer. Would absolutely make the same choice again

[Anonymous]

I have Invisalign. Don't do it for a teen! Get traditional. They gave clear traditional braces. Try dr. Garai in Vienna. My DC goes here. Great experience!