Invisalign® for Kids
Smiles in Progress
Creating a Smiling Future
You may be surprised to hear that Invisalign now offers treatment for kids! Invisalign First, the kids version of Invisalign are designed specifically for younger patients with a mixture of baby and permanent teeth and are perfect for Phase 1 patients.
Discover Invisalign First
Phase 1 treatment is early interceptive orthodontic treatment for young patients, traditionally done through the use of expanders or metal braces, before all permanent teeth have erupted, which is typically between the ages of 6 and 10.
Invisalign First® clear aligners for children are designed specifically to address a broad range of younger patients’ malocclusions, including shorter clinical crowns, management of erupting teeth and predictable dental arch expansion.
As a new offering within the Invisalign system, Invisalign First treatment includes the same proven technology, comfort and convenience for great results. The aligners are removable so your child can brush and floss normally and eat the foods they love without any restrictions. And bonus for mom and dad, you’ll never have to worry about broken brackets and wires! Our parents love this option!
How is Invisalign for Kids Different Than Invisalign for Adults?
Generally speaking, the technology at the heart of the Invisalign system for adults isn’t that different from the same technique used to correct various dental issues in kids. You’re still talking about a series of clear plastic trays that are made using very precise 3D measurements of the patient’s teeth. Every few weeks, one set of trays is swapped out for another – thus successfully moving the teeth into their desired position slowly over time.
Because a child’s mouth is obviously still developing, the actual treatment process may be longer. The length of time a child can expect to wear Invisalign will also obviously vary depending on exactly what types of issues they’re trying to correct.
But overall, Invisalign for adults is very similar to Invisalign for kids – much to the joy of satisfied patients around the world.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign for Children?
Overall, Invisalign brings with it a wide array of different advantages for kids in particular that are certainly worth a closer look.
For starters, kids will always be able to eat the foods that they love because the trays can simply be popped out of their mouth during meals and popped back in again when they’re done.
Likewise, children (and their parents) don’t need to worry about broken braces or wires – as is common with more traditional treatment options.
Finally, Invisalign is easy for children because they can still brush and floss their teeth as they normally would – thus creating a perfect storm in the best possible way.
What Type of Child Needs Invisalign?
Your child may be a perfect candidate for Invisalign if they have some of a few very common teeth-straightening issues while growing up.
These include but are certainly not limited to ones like:
- Complex spacing
- Overcrowding
- Narrow dental arches
- An underbite
- An overbite
- And more
Why Should I Consider Invisalign For My Child?
Invisalign is the perfect treatment option for children of all ages, in part, because of the benefits outlined above. But equally important is the aesthetic benefit – most people won’t realize your child is wearing Invisalign at all because the trays are clear and discreet by design.
They don’t have to worry about their braces being immortalized for all time in school photos and family portraits. They can just remove the trays if they want and put them back in when they’re done!
How Should My Child Care for Their Invisalign Aligners?
Caring for your Invisalign aligners is easy — all you have to do is remove them while you eat and take them out at night to brush and rinse them. Then, just put them back in your mouth when you go to sleep and you’re good to go.
Can My Child Still Participate in Sports?
Yes! In fact, most children who go through the Invisalign treatment process don’t report any major lifestyle change at all.
Note, however, that they’ll still need to wear a mouth guard or some other type of protective gear to protect their teeth during play. This is especially true for sports with a large amount of contact, like football.
What Can My Child Eat With Invisalign?
In short: anything! Just remove the Invisalign aligners and enjoy your meal. Note that you should still brush and floss your teeth before you put them back in.
