Invisalign and Aligners for Teens

Why Teens Choose Clear Aligners

• Virtually Invisible: A discreet option for image-conscious teens, especially around middle school graduation, grad photos, or prom.
• Removable: No food restrictions take them out for popcorn, raw apples, corn on the cob, then brush, floss, and pop them back in.
• Comfortable Fit: Smooth, custom aligners reduce irritation to the cheeks and tongue compared to braces, especially helpful for active teens.
• Fewer Appointments: Fewer emergency visits and less disruption to school days, practices, and performances.
• Remote Monitoring: We track progress between visits, so your teen spends less time out of class in the orthodontist’s chair.

Your Aligner Treatment Process

1. Initial Consultation
Your teen’s first visit is always free and includes digital x-rays, clinical photos, a 3D intraoral scan, and a personalized smile simulation, so we can build a treatment plan around their goals — and yours.

2. Custom Aligners
Once the plan is set, your teen’s custom Angel Aligner or Invisalign trays are ordered to fit their teeth precisely.

3. At-Home Progress Tracking
Remote monitoring lets us track progress between visits, meaning fewer trips to the office and less time out of school.

4. Check-Ups as Needed
We schedule in-office visits only as needed to keep treatment moving on schedule.

5. Retention Phase
Once treatment wraps up, your teen moves into custom Vivera retainers to protect their new smile long after braces season is behind them.

Angel Aligner vs. Invisalign

As Atlantic Canada’s largest clear aligner provider, we treat more teens with clear aligners than any other practice in the region, offering both Angel Aligner and Invisalign and matching each teen to the system that’s right for their case rather than a one-size-fits-all approach. Angel Aligner is a modern, high-tech product designed specifically for treatment by orthodontic specialists, with integrated elastic hooks instead of anything glued to the teeth — so there’s nothing to break loose during a game or a growth spurt, and brushing and flossing stays simple. Learn more about our clear aligner systems.

Why Teens (and Their Parents) Choose MacKenzie Orthodontics

• Treated by a Specialist Who’s Been There: Dr. MacKenzie has treated thousands of teen patients including her own two teenagers, who both had Invisalign treatment.
• Digital Intraoral Scanning: No messy impressions, just a quick, precise 3D digital model of your teeth.
• 3D Smile Simulation: See a personalized preview of your projected results at your free consultation.
• Pain-Free Orthodontics: The Dental Pain Eraser is offered as an option to every patient for a more comfortable experience.

Teens in Sports and Music

Teens in Sports: Aligners are worn 22 hours a day and changed at home on a regular schedule, so they stay in for practices and games. Worn correctly, they actually reduce the chance of injury to the lips and cheeks during contact sports — and your teen can wear a standard sports mouthguard right over their aligners for a far more comfortable, natural fit than a mouthguard alone.

Teens in Music: Clear aligners let teens keep playing brass or woodwind instruments without the mouth cuts, lip irritation, and altered tone that brackets and wires often cause. Because aligners are removable, students can take them out for important performances and put them right back in afterward, keeping treatment on track without sacrificing playing time or comfort.

Cost, Insurance, and Financing

Full aligner treatment with Angel Aligner or Invisalign typically runs $3,000 to $10,000 over 12 to 24 months, depending on how complex your teen’s case is. We follow the New Brunswick Dental Fee Guide for fair, consistent pricing, and offer tax-free, interest-free payment plans with down payments as low as $0 and monthly payments as low as $250.

Tips for Clear Aligner Success

• Wear Aligners Consistently: A minimum of 22 hours a day — treat it like a retainer for your smile, not something to leave sitting in your locker.
• Keep the Case With You: A lost aligner wrapped in a napkin is one of the most common (and avoidable) reasons for treatment delays — keep the case in a backpack, gym bag, or instrument case.
• Clean Them Daily: Brush gently and rinse with lukewarm water to remove bacteria and buildup.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can clear aligners treat all orthodontic cases?
Clear aligners can treat practically all cases in teens. In our practice, if you are a candidate for braces, you are also a candidate for aligners, and Dr. MacKenzie will recommend the right option at your free consultation.

What age is right for my teen to start aligner treatment?
Most teens are ready once their adult teeth have come in, typically by early-to-mid high school, though every case is different. Dr. MacKenzie will assess your teen’s growth and bite at their free consultation and recommend the right time to start.

How much does treatment cost?
General treatment typically costs $3,000 to $10,000. Your exact cost depends on the complexity of your case.

Will insurance cover clear aligners?
Coverage depends on your specific plan. We accept most major insurance providers and can direct bill on your behalf, and our team is happy to help you understand your coverage.

What are attachments?
Attachments are small, tooth-colored shapes temporarily bonded to certain teeth to help the aligners grip and move teeth more precisely. Not every patient needs them — Dr. MacKenzie will let you know if they’re part of your teen’s plan.

Ready to Transform Your Smile?

As an orthodontist, and a mom who has treated two of her own teenagers with clear aligners, Dr. MacKenzie understands both the clinical side and the parent side of this decision: the busy schedules, the sports and rehearsals, and wanting a treatment that fits real teenage life. She’s treated thousands of teen patients and knows exactly what it takes to keep treatment on track through exams, tournaments, and everything in between.

Every consultation is free for patients of all ages and includes a full set of records: digital x-rays, clinical photos, a 3D intraoral scan, and a personalized smile simulation, at no cost and no obligation.

MacKenzie Orthodontics offers Invisalign and Angel Aligner treatment for teens in Saint John, Quispamsis, Rothesay, and St. Stephen, New Brunswick, as well as families from Northern Maine. Schedule your free consultation today.