Aligners for Kids & Teenagers: Everything You Need to Know
Table of Contents
- How Aligners Work
- Teen Tips for Success
- Why Aligners for Teens & Children
- Adolescent Mouth Growth
- Teen Eligibility
- The Role of Parents
- Conditions for Aligner Treatment
- Aligners vs. Braces
- Frequently Asked Questions
Since their introduction to the market, clear aligners have continued to grow in popularity, especially with teenagers. It’s easy to see why.
Clear aligners are removable and virtually invisible, and they offer fast results for many mild-to-moderate orthodontic issues. These factors also make them an appealing option for teens who don’t like the look or inconvenience of braces.
Many parents are also wondering if clear aligners could be an easier option for their smaller kids too. But are clear aligners a good option for teens and kids?
Why aligners can work for teens & children
Clear aligners are a safe and effective option for teenagers who have lost all of their baby teeth. Usually, this means aligner treatment can start around age 12, with parental approval and supervision.
While aligners offer many benefits over traditional braces treatment (they are taken out to clean teeth and eat and usually work faster), they must be worn as advised (usually over 20 hours a day) in order to move teeth as intended. So, teenagers must be willing to follow the program to get the desired results.
For children who have not yet lost their baby teeth, options may be more limited. At-home aligner providers do not usually offer treatment for these younger patients. In-office clear aligners may be an option in some cases. Invisalign, for example, has treatment programs for younger children.
There is . Some say there is not enough tooth for the aligner to “grip” on to. Other issues may include the child’s willingness to wear the aligners continuously and being able to clean the aligners as needed.
Inside an adolescent’s mouth
Every parent knows that adolescents grow quickly. The pants you buy your child at the start of the school season rarely fit when spring comes. Growth in the mouth may be harder to see, but it's definitely happening.
As your child grows, these things happen:
Old teeth fall out. As the roots of so-called "baby teeth" dissolve, the visible portion seems wobbly. In time, the tooth disconnects from the jaw altogether.
New teeth come in. Adult versions of molars, canines, and incisors push into the space left behind by missing baby teeth.
Ligaments form. New teeth attach to the jaw with strong but movable fibers.
Roots grow. Adult teeth get longer and longer with time.
All of these steps happen incrementally. Your child may not feel the changes happening, and you may not see any differences on the surface. But with each passing moment, those adult teeth grow and become locked into semi-permanent positions. Before that happens, you have the opportunity to change the course of your child's smile.
If your child isn't ready for aligners right now, you can address the issue and come back for another assessment later.
How Aligners Work
Aligners are clear, removable trays that are custom-made to fit over the teeth. They look like exact replicas of one’s teeth, but they feature subtle changes and pressure points to force movement.
Aligners come in a series of trays. Each one is worn for a week or two before moving to the next. Each tray progressively moves the teeth, guiding your teen’s teeth along the journey to bite correction.
The role of parents in clear aligner treatment programs
Parents must be involved in each step of the treatment program. They must approve the plan, in most cases, and parents usually pay for the care their children need. Parents can also ensure that their children follow instructions and get the most out of treatment.
As a parent, you can help your child with the following steps:
Wearing the aligner: Your child’s dental professional will create a treatment plan and tell you how often the trays should be worn. Ensure that your child sticks to that plan by looking for the trays when your child smiles, and you can ask your child’s teachers to do the same.
Cleaning the aligner: Your child should remove the trays to eat and drink. The devices should be lightly cleaned before they’re placed back in the mouth. You can teach your child how to take these steps and supervise their technique after shared meals.
Changing the trays: Periodically, your child will swap out one tray for a new version that moves the teeth. Keep track of the schedule and ensure your child changes trays on time.
What conditions can aligners treat in teens & kids?
Aligners are an effective treatment for young people with a variety of common orthodontic problems.
For example, in an overview study published in 2024, researchers said aligners could be used to treat the following issues in young people:
Posterior crossbite, a condition in which the lower back teeth protrude in front of the upper back teeth
Dentoskeletal discrepancies, conditions such as crowding, spacing, and open bites caused by teeth that don’t meet properly
Excessive overjet, a condition in which the upper teeth stick out and sit in front of the lower teeth
Aligners cover the teeth completely, and they can trap plaque and bacteria close to the teeth. However, in a study of 40 young people wearing aligners for dental problems, researchers found that most of their participants adjusted to their trays. The researchers found that their participants didn’t have more cavities or dental problems due to their trays, and they were comfortable with treatment overall.
Are all teens eligible for aligners?
During an aligner assessment, some parents discover that their children just aren't good candidates for this type of treatment. It's relatively rare, but it does happen. Your teen might not be ready for aligners for these reasons:
Age: Children as young as 8 years old have been through orthodontic treatment. But in general, it's best to find a sweet spot between childhood and adulthood. Very young people may not be ready for treatment yet.
Missing molars: Aligners need anchors, and molars fill that role. If your child's teeth haven't come in yet, you might need to wait.
Poor lifestyle choices: Teens may break their aligners in sports, and some teens may lose their trays or accidentally throw them away. Adults must be sure to explain how important the trays are and keep their children on track with treatment. But children who struggle with this may need a different approach.
Every child is different, and some can use aligners earlier than others. However, this basic timeline can help you understand when children typically get orthodontic care:
Age 7: Your child visits the orthodontist for the first time for an assessment.
Ages 8 and 14: Your child’s orthodontic treatment begins at this time, depending on how quickly the baby teeth fall out.
Children are always growing and changing, and sometimes, problems disappear with growth.
Aligners for kids & teenagers vs. braces
Aligners aren’t the only option to address a child’s smile. Some families choose braces instead. Which option is right for your child? This chart can help you understand the differences.
| Braces | Aligners |
What Are They? | Brackets are glued to teeth and connected via wires | Plastic trays cover the teeth from root to tip |
How Much Do They Cost?* | $4,937 (average) | $5,000 (average) for Invisalign, much less for at-home aligners |
How Long Does Treatment Last? | It depends on the severity of the dental problem | It depends on the severity of the dental problem |
How Effective Are They?** | Less effective than aligners on mild problems | More effective than braces on mild problems |
Are They Hard On Your Teeth? | They can’t be removed, so these devices can increase dental decay risks | They can be removed, so it’s easier to keep teeth clean |
* Source
** Source
Teen Tips for Aligner Success
Aligners and teens can go hand in hand. Their smiles aren't covered by miles of metal and brackets, and they can remove the devices for proper cleaning. Teens may also appreciate the opportunity to take out the aligners during very important moments, including classroom presentations.
Parents who choose aligners for their teens can take a few steps to ensure the process goes as smoothly as possible.
Make a schedule. Your teen must agree to wear the devices the majority of the day. Agree on moments when your child can remove the trays every day. And if your child wants an exception, discuss that as a family first.
Discuss barriers openly. If your child isn't wearing the aligners regularly, talk with your treatment team. Is pain a problem? Is the bite uncomfortable? Fix problems promptly.
Celebrate progress. Each week, your child will trade one aligner set for another. It's a step on the road to an improved smile. Track progress with photos.
Boost motivation. Sticking with an aligner plan isn't easy for some teens. It's a tradeoff of . If your child slips, pull up the models of your child's future smile. A reminder of the goal waiting at the end of treatment could put your child back on track.
An open partnership between parents, orthodontists, and teens leads to the fastest and most effective aligner experience.
Teeth Aligners for Children & Teens Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, teenagers are great candidates for treatment with clear plastic aligners. Not only do invisible aligners quickly and safely align your smile, but they are also hardly noticeable when they are in place.
Teenagers are often very self-conscious about their appearance, which means they might be more interested in getting orthodontic treatment than their parents realize. But they may worry about how embarrassing traditional metal brackets can appear. Invisible braces are a wonderful solution to this problem.
Additionally, clear aligners require fewer visits to the orthodontist. After-school activities, hanging out with friends, and other important events are less likely to be interrupted by longer trips to the orthodontist.
Treatment with clear aligners typically takes about the same amount of time as with traditional metal braces, so your teenager might wear aligners for up to a year. The total required treatment time will vary based on individual needs, however. With clear aligners, treatment time may be as short as 4 months.
An orthodontist will assess your teenager’s history with orthodontia, the extent of their alignment needs, and any potential future shifts in dental alignment to determine if your teen needs a retainer along with their aligners.
The biggest risk to teens using clear aligners is noncompliance. It is important that teenagers who have invisible aligners wear them for 20 to 22 hours every day of treatment.
Your teen might get tired of wearing the aligner and take it out, so they are not getting the full benefit of alignment with each device. This can prolong treatment, make the next aligner in the series hurt more, and puts the aligner at risk of being lost or damaged.
While you can replace a missing or damaged aligner, you have to trust your teen to inform you when this happens. A replaced or ignored aligner will make treatment take longer than initially suggested.
Aligners are just as effective for teens as they are for adults. Both groups want a beautiful smile without noticeable braces. Improvements in orthodontic technology mean that teeth can shift into place faster than ever before, reducing required treatment time.
For teenagers, aligners are an even better option than braces because they are less noticeable, and they are safer to have in the mouth. For example, teens involved in sports are less likely to damage their cheeks or tongue if they get hurt during practice or in a game than if they have metal braces.
Clear aligners are also better for teens involved in the performing arts, as they can potentially take the aligners out for performances. That being said, aligners do not generally get in the way of speaking or playing musical instruments.