If you feel like it’s time to start considering orthodontic treatment for your child, it’s natural to look at some of the best options available. After all, setting your child up for a lifetime of good oral health is important! Invisalign is likely one option that you’ll come across as you do your research, and it can seem like an easy choice. As with all treatment options, there are some things to consider. In the meantime, here’s what to know about Invisalign and whether it’s right for your child.
Has Your Child Lost All Their Baby Teeth?
If not, treatment may still be recommended. Many kids do not have enough space for their adult teeth to naturally grow in. In these cases, interceptive treatment is ideal to preserve the adult teeth and possibly avoid extractions in the future. These cases can be treated with Invisalign or braces, depending on the extent of movement needed. In some cases, your orthodontist may not recommend treatment until your child has most of their permanent teeth. For most kids, this happens at around twelve or thirteen years old, although this can vary by a few years. If your child hasn’t lost all their baby teeth yet, you can still receive a complimentary consultation to determine the ideal time to start orthodontic treatment.
Is Invisalign Your Child’s Best Option?
With an orthodontist with the right training, Invisalign can produce the same results as braces. Many patients find that they prefer removable appliance that are less apparent and do not require food restrictions over traditional braces. Although Invisalign aligners are removable, we often find that our younger patients are more compliant than the adult patients, as they look forward to getting the smile they desire and want to avoid traditional braces. In some cases, Invisalign treatment is preferred over traditional braces, as it has a natural tendency to close bites, this means that we will often recommend Invisalign over traditional braces depending on your bite.
Is Your Child Mature Enough for Invisalign?
Invisalign requires excellent patient participation to achieve the best results. This means it’s important that your child wears their aligners and elastics as instructed. Invisalign works by wearing the aligners for as much as 22 hours per day, meaning your child will need to remember to wear them and change them out accordingly. Additionally, they will need to brush their teeth and the aligners before placing them back in their mouth. Kids that tend to lose phones, glasses or homework are not always the best candidates. Often, patients who want aligners are very motivated for them to work, and have excellent compliance (even better than their adult counterparts)!
Schedule an Appointment
Trying to find the best options for your child’s orthodontic treatment can be overwhelming. The best way to get started is by meeting with a certified orthodontist who can recommend your child’s best options for a straight, healthy smile. To meet with our team and learn more about Invisalign for your child, we invite you to contact our Grand Rapids office by calling or filling out our online form. We offer both virtual and in-office appointments to meet your needs. Once you have started treatment, we offer virtual checkups so that you will have fewer in-office visits to coordinate in your schedule.