Invisalign For Teens in Aurora, CO

Invisalign for Teens is an orthodontic treatment that uses a series of clear, removable aligners to gradually straighten teeth and correct bite issues in teenage patients. Each aligner is custom-fabricated from a smooth, BPA-free SmartTrack plastic and fits snugly over the teeth. The aligners are virtually invisible when worn, which is one of the main reasons teens and their parents choose this option.

Unlike traditional metal braces, there are no brackets glued to the teeth and no archwires to tighten. Instead, your teen progresses through a pre-planned series of aligners — typically switching to a new set every one to two weeks as directed. Each aligner applies controlled, gentle force to specific teeth at specific times, moving them incrementally toward the final position mapped out in the treatment plan.

The process begins with a digital scan of your teen’s mouth using the iTero intraoral scanner, which captures a precise 3D model of the teeth and soft tissues without the mess of traditional putty impressions. That digital model is used to create a ClinCheck treatment plan — a virtual simulation that shows the step-by-step movement of each tooth from the current position to the final result.

From that plan, a series of custom aligners is manufactured. Your teen wears each aligner for the prescribed period (typically one to two weeks) for 20 to 22 hours a day, removing them only to eat, drink anything other than water, brush, and floss. Over time, the aligners guide the teeth into alignment. Because the aligners are removable, your teen can eat all foods without restriction and maintain normal brushing and flossing — there are no wires or brackets to work around.

Invisalign for Teens aligners include a blue compliance indicator dot near the molar. This dot fades from blue to clear with consistent wear, giving parents, teens, and our team a visual gauge of wear habits. They also include eruption tabs designed to hold space for permanent teeth that have not yet fully come in.

Most Invisalign for Teens treatments at our Aurora office follow a sequence of steps:

1. Initial consultation and exam. Dr. Casandra Barnes reviews your teen’s dental and medical history, examines the teeth and jaw relationships, and discusses what your teen hopes to achieve. If Invisalign for Teens appears to be a good option, we proceed to digital records.

1. Digital scanning and treatment planning. We use the iTero scanner to create a 3D model of the teeth. Dr. Barnes uses ClinCheck software to design the tooth movement sequence and shares the projected final result with you and your teen. You see the expected outcome before aligners are even fabricated.

1. Aligner delivery and fitting. When the aligners arrive, we fit the first set, verify the fit and comfort, and may place small tooth-colored attachments on specific teeth to help the aligners achieve precise movements. We provide detailed instructions on how to insert, remove, and care for the aligners.

1. Progress check visits. Your teen returns periodically — typically every 8 to 12 weeks — so Dr. Barnes can evaluate progress, track compliance, and dispense the next several sets of aligners. These visits are generally shorter than wire-adjustment appointments for braces.

1. Retention phase. After the final aligner, we create a custom retainer and provide a wear schedule. Consistent retainer use is critical to keep teeth in their new positions.

Invisalign for Teens can address a range of orthodontic concerns, including crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. The best way to confirm candidacy is an in-person evaluation with Dr. Barnes. During the consultation, she examines tooth positioning, jaw relationships, oral hygiene, and any habits that may affect treatment.

Certain bite problems — particularly those involving significant skeletal discrepancies or severe rotations — may be better addressed with other orthodontic approaches. Dr. Barnes will be candid about what Invisalign for Teens can and cannot do for your teen’s specific situation.

Candidate readiness also matters. Because the aligners are removable, success depends on a teen who is willing to wear them consistently, keep track of them, and maintain good oral hygiene. The compliance indicator and regular progress checks help support accountability, but your teen’s engagement with the process is a key factor.

Both approaches move teeth, but the experience differs in practical ways that matter to teens and their families.

With Invisalign for Teens, the aligners are removable. Your teen can eat whatever they want — popcorn, chips, apples, and chewy candy are all fine because the aligners come out before eating. Brushing and flossing continue exactly as normal, with no special tools needed to clean around brackets and wires. The aligners are smooth plastic, so cheek and lip irritation from pokey wires is eliminated.

Traditional braces are fixed to the teeth, which eliminates any question of compliance — the appliance is always working. For some complex tooth movements, braces still offer biomechanical advantages that aligners cannot replicate.

Visually, the difference is stark. Most people will not notice your teen is wearing Invisalign aligners. That matters to teens who are self-conscious about their appearance during treatment. It also means photos, school events, and social activities carry less anxiety about how their smile looks.

Dr. Barnes discusses the trade-offs specific to your teen’s case so you can make a confident decision. The right choice is the one that fits your teen’s orthodontic needs, lifestyle, and temperament.

The aligners should be worn 20 to 22 hours per day. Outside of meals, oral hygiene, and certain activities, they stay in.

Eating and drinking. Aligners come out before any meal or snack and go back in after the teeth are brushed. Only plain water is safe to drink with aligners in. Hot beverages can warp the plastic, and sugary or acidic drinks trapped inside an aligner can bathe the teeth in cavity-causing liquid.

Sports and activities. For contact sports and most physical activities, we recommend removing the aligners and wearing a properly fitted mouthguard. An aligner is not a mouthguard and will not protect teeth from impact. After the activity, your teen rinses and reinserts the aligner.

Music. Teens who play brass or woodwind instruments may prefer to remove aligners during practice and performance. Some adapt to playing with aligners in, but removing them avoids discomfort and helps maintain proper technique. The key is to put them right back in afterward.

Discomfort. Some mild pressure or tenderness is normal, especially during the first few days of a new aligner set. This is a sign the aligner is working. Over-the-counter pain relievers and cool water can help. Persistent sharp pain or an aligner that does not fit properly warrants a call to our office.

Active treatment ends when the series of aligners is complete, but care does not stop there. Teeth have memory and naturally want to drift back toward their original positions. Retention is the phase that locks in the result.

We provide a custom retainer and a specific wear schedule. Many teens wear the retainer full-time initially and then transition to nighttime-only wear over a period determined by Dr. Barnes. Failure to wear the retainer as directed can lead to relapse — teeth shifting out of alignment, sometimes faster than expected. Replacement retainers are available if one is lost or damaged, but prompt action matters because teeth can begin moving in a matter of days without retention.

Good oral hygiene remains essential. The retainer itself should be cleaned daily according to the instructions we provide. Regular dental checkups and cleanings continue on the usual six-month schedule throughout and after treatment.

Invisalign for Teens offers several advantages when the case is a good clinical match:

• Nearly invisible appearance. The aligners are clear and difficult to detect, which supports confidence during treatment.
• No food restrictions. Because the aligners come out, your teen can eat all foods without worry.
• Easier oral hygiene. Normal brushing and flossing continue, which helps reduce the risk of decalcification and cavities during treatment.
• Fewer emergency visits. No broken brackets or poking wires means fewer unscheduled trips to the dental chair.
• Visual treatment planning. The ClinCheck simulation lets you see the projected outcome before starting.

It is also important to understand the trade-offs:

• Compliance is everything. If the aligners are not worn enough, treatment stalls or teeth shift backward.
• Lost aligners happen. A lost aligner should be addressed immediately by calling our office. Replacement aligners take time to fabricate and may involve out-of-pocket cost.
• Attachments may be needed. Some cases require small tooth-colored bumps on certain teeth to achieve the desired movements. These are minimally visible but worth knowing about in advance.
• Retention is non-negotiable. Without consistent retainer wear after treatment, teeth can and do shift back.

Dr. Barnes discusses the expected benefits and limitations for your teen’s specific case so there are no surprises.

The cost of Invisalign for Teens varies based on the complexity of the case, the estimated treatment length, and whether your dental insurance plan includes orthodontic benefits. Because every teen’s needs are different, our team prepares a written treatment estimate after the consultation and records appointment.

We verify your insurance benefits before treatment and explain what portion, if any, your plan covers for orthodontic care. Coverage depends on your specific plan — we review those details with you so you know exactly what to expect before treatment begins.

For out-of-pocket portions, our office can discuss payment options. We accept most major insurance plans. To get a personalized estimate or ask questions about coverage, call us at (303) 343-7072.

Alameda Dental uses digital technology to support accurate diagnostics and treatment planning for Invisalign for Teens.

• iTero digital scanner. This wand-based scanner captures a precise 3D image of your teen’s teeth and gums in minutes. There is no goopy impression material to gag on, and the scan starts the ClinCheck treatment simulation.
• ClinCheck software. Dr. Barnes uses this platform to plan each tooth’s movement, sequence the aligners, and show you the projected final result.
• Digital radiography. When diagnostic imaging is needed, we use digital X-rays that significantly reduce radiation exposure compared to traditional film.

Technology does not replace clinical judgment. Dr. Barnes interprets every scan and image, determines what is clinically appropriate, and guides treatment decisions based on your teen’s real anatomy and goals.

The first step is a consultation at our Aurora office. During this visit, we:

1. Review your teen’s dental and medical history, including any medications, prior orthodontic treatment, and relevant health conditions.
2. Perform a clinical examination of the teeth, bite, and jaw relationships.
3. Take digital scans and any necessary X-rays to build a complete picture.
4. Discuss what your teen wants to change about their smile and what a successful outcome means in your household.
5. Present whether Invisalign for Teens is a good option, and if so, walk through the projected timeline, the ClinCheck simulation, the cost estimate, and what insurance may contribute.

There is no pressure to decide the same day. We want you and your teen to have all the information needed to make a confident decision.

To schedule, call Alameda Dental at (303) 343-7072 or request an appointment through our website. Our office is located at 14591 E Alameda Ave, Aurora, CO 80012.