Invisalign for Teens in Washington, DC | Georgetown Orthodontics

The Question Every Parent Asks First: “Will They Actually Wear It?”

It's the most common concern we hear from parents considering Invisalign Teen: compliance. Aligners must be worn 20–22 hours per day to work. A teen who leaves them on the counter will not see results. Invisalign has addressed this directly with a feature built into every set of Invisalign Teen aligners: blue compliance indicators. Small dots on the aligners fade as the teen wears them, giving parents and Dr. Blackwood a visible measure of how consistently the aligners are being used at each check-in appointment.

This isn't foolproof — nothing is — but it changes the dynamic. It gives parents a conversation-starter, and it gives Dr. Blackwood data. For teens who are reliable and motivated, Invisalign Teen produces results equivalent to braces. The right patient makes all the difference, and Dr. Blackwood will be honest with you about whether your teenager is a good candidate based on what he knows about the case.

Built for How Teenagers Actually Live

Invisalign Teen is designed with teenage life in mind. The trays are removable for sports, music performance, and photos. There's no restricted food list — teens eat whatever they normally eat, then brush and replace the aligners. Bracket emergencies (a broken bracket, a poking wire) don't happen with clear aligners. This matters for busy families who don't want to rearrange their schedule for an after-school bracket repair.

Invisalign Teen also includes replacement aligners. Teenagers lose things. If a tray is lost, replacements are available — Invisalign Teen includes a set of replacement aligners as part of the standard treatment protocol. The office handles the replacement; it's not a crisis.

Invisalign vs. Braces for Teens

For teens who are reliable wearers, Invisalign Teen can produce results equivalent to braces for many cases. For teens whose case involves complex bite correction — particularly cases requiring precise control of tooth movement in multiple planes — braces may give Dr. Blackwood more control over the result. He won't recommend one over the other for reasons that don't apply to your teen's specific situation.

Treatment typically runs 12–18 months for most teen cases. Dr. Blackwood will give you a specific estimate at the free consultation based on a full examination.