Invisalign vs Invisalign Teen - what's the difference?

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#1 Post by **flesym12** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 1:12 am

So I was 22 when I started my Invisalign treatment, but I noticed that the package I got was "Invisalign Teen." Does anyone know the difference between this and the regular adult treatment?

#2 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Mon Jun 08, 2009 7:51 am

Our office was part of the Invisalign Teen pilot project when Align Technology wanted to develop a product that addressed many of the barriers for teenagers to be candidates for Invisalign.

Invisalign Teen is the same product as Invisalign with a few key differences:

-compliance indicators to gauge approximate wear time
-power ridges for lingual root torque of upper front teeth
-eruption tabs to compensate for the fact that not all teeth may be fully in
-six replacement aligners to reduce the worry over lost aligners

In some applications, Invisalign Teen may be used for non-teen patients as well. There is an additional cost to the orthodontist, but some are using this product for adults as well, since certain patients can benefit from torque, monitoring of wear time, and free replacement aligners in case any are lost.

Candidates for Invisalign would be candidates for Invisalign Teen. Our office has now completed some treatments using Teen with great success for both adults and teens. The product became available world-wide at the beginning of March 2009.

#3 Post by **Wobblydeb** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:19 am

Interesting - can you explain the lingual root torque thing. What is it intended to address, and how does it do it?

#4 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Tue Jun 09, 2009 5:48 am

One of the knocks against traditional Invisalign is that it is difficult to torque the anterior teeth. Therefore, while the crown may look like it is in a satisfactory place, the root of the tooth is too far to the buccal, resulting in decreased stability, and the appearance that something is just slightly off. Torque issues are not exclusive to teens. Therefore, the Teen product can be useful for adults as well.

The torquing ridges are available on the upper anterior teeth by adding a horizontal tab of aligner material to the aligner towards the gum area of the crown. It contacts the teeth closer to the center or resistance and therefore aids in torquing movement. Of note, if attachments are used on these teeth, the ridges generally will not be used. There are, however, other ways of developing torque with aligners.

#5 Post by **John37** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 12:04 am

DrJasonKTam wrote:-compliance indicators to gauge approximate wear time

What are compliance indicators?

Can doctors tell in general if a patient is wearing the aligners long enough other than the teeth not moving as well as expected?

#6 Post by **Wobblydeb** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 2:00 am

That totally makes sense...

I have noticed that my anterior teeth have a tendency to "tip" - i.e. the root stays pretty much where it is while the crown moves with the aligner. As you say, the appearance is just slightly off. Not enough that anyone other than a dentist (and me!) would notice I guess.

Attachments were not used for teeth that were just shuffling along to make room and line up my midline. I think though I will be asking for them in refinement to correct this issue. It does make me wonder whether Invisalign will make increasing use of attachments...

#7 Post by **DrJasonKTam** » Wed Jun 10, 2009 7:28 am

John37 wrote:
DrJasonKTam wrote:-compliance indicators to gauge approximate wear time
What are compliance indicators?

Can doctors tell in general if a patient is wearing the aligners long enough other than the teeth not moving as well as expected?

They are two "bubbles" attached to the aligner on the cheek side of the upper first molar. They are filled with a blue material that reacts with the saliva to change colour with increased exposure.

There have been a couple of recent studies showing that the compliance indicators give a good indication of the amount of time aligners are in the patients' mouth. They've also tested this outside the mouth to see if the indicators can be tricked by someone putting them in a glass of water, heating them, etc. Apparently, so far so good.

They are a qualitative tool and perhaps a good thing to have on for patient psychology. With teens, it may be a motivating tool to know that someone can easily tell if they've been wearing their aligners.

Orthodontists can tell if patients have been wearing elastics with braces. In the same way, experienced Invisalign providers can tell if a patient has worn their aligners. It will not show if teeth are moving correctly, but rather give a rough indication of time worn.

Hope this helps!