Is Invisalign Suitable for Kids?

We know that Invisalign is an excellent teeth straightening option for adults, but is it suitable for kids? It’s one of the most common questions parents ask us.

Invisalign is certainly appealing, with its almost invisible trays that can be quickly taken out as and when needed, but it may not be the best orthodontic treatment for everyone. Let’s go through the pros and cons of Invisalign for kids so you can decide what’s best for your child.

How Does Invisalign Work for Kids?

If your orthodontist recommends Invisalign for your child, they will wear a series of clear, removable aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours each day.

Using 3D scanning, the aligners are moulded to encourage gradual movements in your child’s teeth. When your child changes to new aligners - which happens around every two weeks - their teeth will move a little bit more until they are in their desired position.

Just like in adults, your child’s Invisalign aligners can only be removed for eating, drinking, brushing their teeth, and flossing. If they are not worn for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, the teeth will not move correctly.

Invisalign treatment usually lasts between 6 and 18 months and can correct a variety of orthodontic issues, including crowding, gaps, spacing, and jaw alignment issues.

Invisalign is available for anyone aged 6 and older. It can even be used on children who still have their baby teeth.

Depending on your child’s age, Invisalign has different products to suit their needs.

For children aged 6 to 10, Invisalign First aligners are designed to make room for their adult teeth and nip any developing orthodontic issues in the bud.

What Age Can You Start Invisalign?

Treating orthodontic issues in kids tends to be quicker and easier than in adults because their teeth are still malleable. If you are considering Invisalign for your child, the benefits include:

• Invisalign trays are removable which makes teeth brushing and flossing easier than with traditional braces

• Clear aligners are taken out to eat so there’s no need to restrict foods and drinks

• Invisalign trays are almost invisible and provide a much more discreet treatment

• Invisalign treatment is often faster than traditional brace

• There are no wires or brackets so Invisalign treatment is generally more comfortable

• Children may experience a boost in confidence thanks to their new smile

Benefits of Invisalign for Kids

There are a few things that you should bear in mind before you go ahead with treatment. The main thing is that your child is required to wear their aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours a day, otherwise the treatment won’t work as planned. They’ll also need to maintain excellent oral hygiene to prevent plaque, tooth decay, or gum disease.

Potential downsides of Invisalign include:

• Invisalign must be worn for 20 to 22 hours a day or you won’t see results. Your child can only remove their aligners to eat, drink, brush, and floss

• Your child must not wear their aligners while eating or drinking anything other than water. Chewing with aligners in can alter the shape of trays and dark-coloured food and drink can cause discoloration

• Good oral hygiene will be more important than ever. Before putting their aligners in, your child must brush their teeth after each time they eat or drink. Otherwise, food or drink will get trapped inside the aligner and can cause plaque build-up, tooth decay, or gum disease

• While Invisalign can treat most orthodontic issues, it won’t be able to fix very complex problems like severe jaw misalignments and severe tooth misalignment.

• Invisalign is generally more comfortable than traditional braces, but patients may feel pressure on their teeth and gums when they first start their treatment or change to a new tray. This does subside in a few days once their teeth adapt to the treatment

• You’ll need to attend regular follow-up appointments with your orthodontist to ensure treatment is going as it should. If teeth are not straightened correctly, this can impact a child’s jaw development and cause problems in the future

What Are the Downsides of Invisalign for Kids?

Whether Invisalign is a better treatment than traditional braces will depend on your child’s unique circumstances.

Invisalign can be an effective treatment option if your child would prefer a discreet, almost invisible teeth straightening process, will be able to commit to wearing the aligners for 20 to 22 hours a day, and has excellent oral hygiene.

At Glow Orthodontics, our specialist orthodontist, Dr Jessica Yeo, will help you to decide whether your child is a good candidate for Invisalign by examining their teeth, evaluating their oral hygiene and discussing the likelihood of them properly completing the treatment.

If we agree that Invisalign is the way to go, your child will have a 3D scan of their mouth to mould their aligners, and then their treatment will begin. We’ll arrange regular follow-ups to ensure your child’s treatment is going as planned and make any necessary adjustments.

For more information about Invisalign for children at Glow Orthodontics in Sydney, call us on 02 7923 3203, or fill in the form on this page.

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