Most teens who ask about clear aligners are asking for one reason: they would rather not spend high school in brackets. For many cases that is achievable. At our Spokane office, 510 E Hastings Rd, Suite B in Spokane, Dr. Josh Johnson evaluates whether aligners can deliver the correction your teen actually needs — and says so when they cannot.
Why Aligners Fit Teen Life
They are nearly invisible in photos. They come out for contact sports and for wind instruments. Nothing is off the menu, since eating happens without them. And brushing and flossing stay completely normal, which protects enamel during years when hygiene tends to be inconsistent.
There is also a scheduling advantage: with DentalMonitoring, your teen scans from a phone between appointments and we review remotely, so fewer classes get interrupted. Our iTero scanner handles records digitally and generates a Smile Simulation of the projected result — see our technology page.
The Honest Part
Aligners move teeth only while they are in the mouth. The target is 20 to 22 hours a day, out for meals and brushing, in for everything else. When wear time slips, teeth stop tracking the plan, appointments turn into troubleshooting, and treatment stretches out.
We say this to families before starting. Organized, motivated teens do beautifully with aligners. For everyone else, braces — including tooth-colored clear brackets that barely show in photos — finish on schedule without relying on daily discipline. Both paths reach a healthy bite; only one of them depends on memory.
Living With Aligners
- Water only while wearing them — soda, coffee, and energy drinks stain aligners and trap sugar against enamel.
- Rinse on removal, brush before reinserting.
- Always use the case at lunch. Napkin-wrapped aligners get thrown out.
- Keep the previous set as a backup until the next check.
- Expect mild tightness for a day or two with each new set. That pressure is the treatment working.
Details And Credentials
We are open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and check-ups are short. Fees depend on the case; a payment calculator and financial information are under patient resources, and we review your insurance orthodontic benefit up front.
Dr. Johnson earned his DDS at the University of Washington, graduating at the top of his class, and a Master of Science in Orthodontics at the University of Michigan. He has practiced since 2006 and is a member of the American Association of Orthodontists, the Pacific Coast Society of Orthodontists, and the Washington State Society of Orthodontists. When treatment ends, retainers keep the result — permanently.
What Aligners Treat Well In Teen Cases
Crowding, spacing, mild to moderate overbites and underbites, crossbites, and relapse after earlier treatment all respond well. Large bite corrections, significant rotations, and cases needing substantial vertical movement are more predictable in fixed braces.
Many teen cases also use small tooth-colored attachments bonded to certain teeth so the aligners can grip and rotate them. They are barely visible and come off at the end of treatment.
Questions From Teens And Parents
- Can they play football or wrestle? Yes — aligners come out, which is often the deciding factor for athletes.
- What about band? Wind players usually prefer aligners for exactly this reason.
- How many appointments will they miss school for? Fewer than with braces, thanks to phone-based monitoring between visits.
- What if wear time slips? We will tell you within weeks, not months, and discuss switching to brackets if needed.
- Cost and insurance? Case-dependent; see the payment calculator and financial information under patient resources. Most dental plans with an orthodontic benefit apply.
Our office is open Monday through Thursday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.. See orthodontic treatment for the full treatment range.
Get Your Free Smile Consult
Free consult with no obligation — call or text (509) 277-9773 or contact us to book at our Spokane office, and read our patient reviews first if you like.