When kids are young, they’re at the ideal age for getting orthodontic treatments. Their bones are more malleable, so their teeth can shift faster. Also, many of their peers are going through the same experience, so they won’t suffer a hit to their confidence from their brackets. Nevertheless, many parents dislike the idea of braces and prefer that their kids get Invisalign® in Franklin, TN.
Both Invisalign and braces are effective treatments for treating tooth misalignment or malocclusions. Still, it's common for parents to wonder: can my kid get clear aligners, or are they too young?
What Is Invisalign and What Kind of Orthodontic Treatment Can It Solve?
Invisalign is a modern, innovative solution that gently guides teeth into the correct position. It provides a discreet and effective alternative to traditional braces. Straightening teeth with clear aligners is a great option if your kid wants to avoid the discomfort or appearance of fixed metal braces.
Just as braces, Invisalign can correct a variety of bite issues, such as:
- Overbite, underbite, and crossbite issues
- Open bite
- Gap teeth
- Gaps between teeth
In extremely complex cases that call for more sophisticated treatment, Invisalign might not be the best option.
How Does Invisalign Treatment Work?
During Invisalign treatment, the aligners progressively move teeth into their appropriate positions. Your child will need to wear their aligners for 20 to 22 hours every day, taking them out only to eat, drink, brush, and floss. At the end of the day, the aligners must be cleaned.
Your child will change to a new set of aligners about every two weeks. Every new set is a little different from the last one as they move the teeth one step closer to their final positions with light, precise pressure.
In some cases, tiny attachments known as SmartForce need to be applied. These attachments match the color of the teeth and serve as handles, providing the aligners a surface to press against to accomplish more intricate tooth movements.
Treatment with Invisalign for children typically lasts between 12 and 18 months. However, the degree of misalignment and the child's compliance with wearing the aligners as instructed will determine the precise length of time.
What Benefits Does Invisalign Offer for Children?
Fortunately, Invisalign can help prevent certain issues for children and provide the following benefits:
Discreet Treatment
Unlike braces, clear aligners are much more discreet. The trays are invisible and seemingly unnoticeable, so your kids won’t feel self-conscious or uncomfortable about their appearance.
Less Painful and Fewer Chances of Soft Tissue Injuries
Braces can also be painful, as the metal brackets and wires place a strain on teeth and may irritate your kid’s gums, cheeks, or tongue. This is more common for athletes: a hit to the face for a kid with brackets can be very painful and even put their treatment on hold. Injuries and bloody gyms won’t be an issue with Invisalign.
Improved Oral Hygiene
While mouth injuries can easily be solved with a custom-made sports mouthguard, oral hygiene is more challenging with braces. Fortunately, maintaining good oral hygiene is easier with Invisalign, as your child can simply take their clear aligners out for eating and flossing.
Children with braces often have a harder time maintaining proper brushing and flossing techniques, which are crucial to ensure no food leftovers remain in their braces and between their teeth. This can lead to cavities and gum recession, which, in severe cases, requires the braces to be removed. Treatments can resume only when the mouth is healthy again.
Reduced Dental Anxiety
Invisalign requires fewer trips to the dentist. Bad experiences at the dentist during childhood can make adults more susceptible to fearing the dentist, harming their future oral health. People with dental anxiety tend to skip dental check-ups, which are crucial to diagnosing oral diseases like cavities before they progress.
Can Kids Get Invisalign?
Yes, children can get Invisalign! The recommended age is around 12 to 14 – when most of their permanent teeth have erupted. Nonetheless, Invisalign First is a solution for the early treatment of minor orthodontic issues. It’s specifically designed for children between the ages of 6 and 10. Kids before this age range are too young for Invisalign and other orthodontic treatments.
Problem with Invisalign for Children
While Invisalign can be very effective, clear aligners must be worn regularly for it to work. If not, your child won’t see the expected results, resulting in a waste of money on the dental trays. Since your child must wear Invisalign aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, you must believe in their ability to follow instructions.
Another factor to consider before getting Invisalign for your child is that the treatment works best when most of your child’s permanent teeth are in. This guarantees that their teeth can be moved into the proper position by the aligners without being obstructed by temporal baby teeth.
Even though Invisalign does not require routine adjustments like braces, you’ll still need to make regular appointments with the orthodontist once treatment starts. These consultations are usually scheduled every six to eight weeks. We will check to see if the teeth are moving according to schedule and modify the treatment plan as needed.
After treatment is finished, your child might require a retainer to keep the teeth from moving back into their original positions.
Interested in Getting Invisalign in Franklin, TN
Clear aligners have grown in popularity over the past couple of decades as an option for straightening or realigning your teeth while saving you from all the problems with braces, like painful injuries and cavities. This is especially important for children, as bad experiences with braces can lead to a life-long reluctance to visit the dentist.
While it may not apply to complex cases, an Invisalign treatment overseen by a professional at Happy Harpeth can help align your children’s teeth. If you’re interested, reach out!
*Invisalign®, the Invisalign logo, and iTero®, among others, are trademarks and/ or service marks of Align Technology, Inc. or one of its subsidiaries or affiliated companies and may be registered in the U.S. and/or other countries.
