Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment at our offices in the Lehigh Valley and Berks County! Teens and adults love the convenient and comfortable aligners. But is Invisalign the right fit for any age? Not always. Here’s why we don’t typically recommend Invisalign for children.
They Require All of Your Adult Teeth
This is true for both Invisalign and braces. They work best when patients have lost all of their baby teeth. This is because the shape of the mouth and the position of the teeth change as baby teeth are lost and adult teeth are gained.
This is especially true when it comes to Invisalign aligners. The aligners are made to fit your child’s teeth and gradually move them into place. They won’t be as effective if their smile is frequently changing. A new set of aligners would have to be made every time they lost a tooth! We have found treatments are much more effective around the ages of 11 to 13 when all baby teeth are lost.
However, that doesn’t mean you can’t schedule a consultation early! Our team will be glad to help you and your child figure out what to expect.
They Don’t Fix Complex Cases
Invisalign is great at fixing overbites, underbites, and crowded teeth, but it can’t fix every case. Sometimes your child may have a large gap between their teeth, teeth that need to be rotated, or teeth that are set high in the gumline. Traditional braces work much more effectively in these cases and lead to success rates of over 90%. That’s because wire braces have more force and strength with which to make major tooth movements.
If you’re not sure whether your child would be better suited for traditional braces or Invisalign, we recommend you schedule a free consultation with our team. After an initial look and some x-rays, we’ll be able to recommend a treatment option.
You Need to Actively Wear Them
One of the biggest reasons we don’t recommend Invisalign for young children is because they require a great deal of responsibility. Unlike braces, Invisalign can be removed. While this makes the aligners popular among adults, they’re more prone to getting lost or forgotten among children.
Invisalign can only be successful when worn for at least 20 to 22 hours per day. If aligners aren’t worn, patients oftentimes have to prolong their treatment or move on to traditional braces. Before committing to Invisalign for your child, we recommend considering whether they have the maturity level to wear and care for their aligners.
If Not Invisalign, Then What?
Only after a consultation can we truly determine whether Invisalign is the perfect fit for your child. However, if we decide that Invisalign aligners aren’t the best option, there’s no need to worry! Traditional braces have had a long, successful history.
The braces of today aren’t like the braces of the past! They’re more comfortable and can even be clear. They take a few more months to work compared to Invisalign, but they can handle even the most complex of cases and have a compliance rate much higher than the removable aligners.
Traditional braces are offered at all of our locations: Reading, Allentown, Easton, Exton, Springfield, and Harrisburg. To learn more, request a free consultation by visiting https://exeterorthodontics.com/request-appointment/. We can’t wait to help your child’s smile shine!