Is Your Child Ready for Invisalign?

Invisalign requires compliance and a certain amount of discipline. Not only do they require to be cleaned properly and regularly, but they must be worn for a minimum of 20 hours a day to be effective. 

Additionally, given that they must be removed prior to meals and for cleanings, a child might accidentally lose them. 

While it is generally preferable that a child lose all their baby teeth prior to Invisalign, the company now offers an option designed to work specifically for children who have both, baby, as well as permanent teeth. Children as young as seven can now opt for this specific type of aligner that takes into consideration expanding arches and young children. 

In conclusion, if your child is generally under the supervision of adults, or is otherwise fairly responsible, Invisalign aligners are definitely worth considering.

Children tend to feel rather anxious about the associated pain and in many cases, the potential bullying that could ensue upon wearing braces. Talk to your child about their preferences and which of their available options seems more favorable to them. 

Be sure to talk to a qualified orthodontist for expert advice on what's right for your kid. 

The Benefits of Invisalign Aligners for Kids

Now that we've gotten that out of the way, let's have a look at the various advantages of choosing Invisalign aligners over braces. Are they both equally efficient? Do they offer the same results? 

Let's find out!

To start things off, Invisalign aligners are nowhere as painful as braces. In addition to this, they also offer an added convenience of being removable which is especially beneficial during meal times. Your child will have the freedom to eat their regular meals devoid of any Invisalign-specific dietary changes.

Additionally, given the simplicity of aligners, they will also have relatively fewer visits to the dentist, in contrast to metal braces. Broken wires, brackets, and braces require emergency trips to the dental clinic that can be incredibly disruptive to you and your child's busy schedules. Aligners are great for you as well as your child, giving you both the freedom to engage in work, play, and non-dental-related activities. 

Invisalign aligners are easy to clean and can be done alongside a regular nightly brushing. After removing them, they can be brushed with a soft-bristled toothbrush and rinsed with warm water.

Children, as well as adults, usually feel less self-conscious in aligners than they do in visible braces that can often get in the way of regular activity. 

An Efficient Alternative

On top of being convenient and simple to use, Invisalign offers comparable levels of efficiency to braces in treating overbite, underbite, overcrowding, and gaps between the teeth. This makes teens and tweens particularly good candidates for aligners. 

However, it is important to note that in particularly complicated cases, braces might be a better alternative. Talk to your orthodontist to ensure that your child gets the right and most effective treatment for their specific oral needs.

Better Oral Hygiene

Given that it's easier to keep your teeth clean while wearing aligners, it immediately improves your child's chances of maintaining good oral hygiene. Additionally, it also decreases your child's risk of developing tooth cavities and caries. 

Food tends to get stuck in braces and the wiring makes them difficult to clean. Trapped food allows for the build-up of plaque, bacteria and ultimately leads to odor or other more severe dental problems. 

The more laidback kid would find it difficult to follow the more complicated rules of using specific tools to clean one's braces.

Added Protection for Athletic Kids

Braces often come with certain activity restrictions including playing certain high-impact sports. Even during play, your child may require additional protection to protect their teeth from accidental hits. The snug and customized fit of Invisalign aligners ensure none or negligible damage without the use of any added protective gear. 

Children become more susceptible to injuries while wearing braces. They are more prone to cuts and lip tears from the wires upon impact from a ball or a careless hand.

In contrast, the aligners are also easy to remove in cases where mouth guards are necessary for facial protection. They do not come with wires or any other appendages that could cause the kind of damage braces do during play.

Taking the First Step

When taken alongside braces, Invisalign aligners offer various benefits for your child including better oral hygiene, added protection during sports and games, convenience, and simplicity of usage. In addition to these, they are an effective method for straightening your child's teeth and correcting a range of alignment problems. 

Still unsure about your child's needs? Don't worry. 

Send us a message or give us a call today, to get qualified and personalized advice on your kid's oral health. Our team of qualified dental professionals in Texas will be happy to assist you and ensure your child gets the most effective and appropriate treatment for all their dental needs!