Is Invisalign A Good Option For Kids?

It is common for children and teenagers to feel uncomfortable hearing the term “brace-face,” which describes how awkward their mouths and faces look when wearing metal braces. Earlier metal braces used to be the first line of treatment for straightening teeth for kids but off-late the trend has changed. Now, more than 5 million kids in the US wear Invisalign to correct their smile.

Invisalign is a revolutionary orthodontic treatment that consists of clear aligners that gently and gradually align your teeth in their proper places and give you a dazzling smile. At the same time, they are invisible, and people cannot make out you are wearing braces. Moreover, Invisalign trays are also removable so that you do not have to give up on your favorite foods due to aligners.

Most parents have likely had traditional braces fitted during their childhood, so they might be skeptical about the efficiency of Invisalign as a result of their own experience. If you are also someone in a fix about whether to go for Invisalign for your kids or not, then this article is for you as it will clear all your doubts about Invisalign for kids.

Why Invisalign for Kids?

Parents whose kids are using Invisalign like the treatment as it means fewer visits to the dentist, no need for emergency appointments, and happier children. Teenagers love this treatment as it is invisible so they don’t feel gawky in their social circle. The aligners also cause less discomfort and pain.

• These clear aligners are convenient

Your kid can remove the aligners which makes them very convenient. Since you need the aligners for twenty to twenty-two hours a day, you get two to four hours every day when you can take them out. So children get a lot of wiggle time which is great for them. 

If your child plays sports or is in a band, they can remove the trays and continue their normal activities without any issues. Kids can also eat anything they want to and will not have to go without having their favorite foods like popcorn, for the period of treatment. Braces can be more painful for kids which gives Invisalign another feather in the cap when it comes to teeth straightening options for your child.

• Less time at the dentist 

Teenagers and children have a much busier life than others. They are involved in a variety of spots and additional extra-curricular activities. Some of them could also be having part-time jobs. So for kids, it could be hard to squeeze in time for doing homework or relaxing which leaves very little time left to see a dentist. 

Fortunately, Invisalign needs your child to spend very little time at the dentist. With traditional braces, you must visit your dentist frequently since your teeth would move only when the wires are adjusted or changed. This could be quite often, such as once or twice a month. This would mean you need to take time off from work and your kid needs to miss his school time. Since you are given your entire set of aligners in one go, your kid can change the aligners at home.  The clear aligners need you to come either once a month or every two months to check if the aligners are working.

• It is easy to clean these removable trays 

Parents will get a big relief knowing that it is a breeze to clean Invisalign. When your kid brushes or flosses his/her teeth, they would remove the aligners and simply need to brush the aligners with a soft toothbrush and water. You should not use toothpaste on the aligners as they are too abrasive and might leave visible scratch marks on the aligners. In case your child isn’t able to clean his aligners properly, Invisalign comes with a cleaning system that can be purchased.

• Less chance of cavities 

The traditional braces have food traps but the clear trays can be removed and you can easily brush and floss your teeth. When wearing braces, your kid has to learn how to use new tools and spend a lot of time maintaining good oral hygiene. All this fuss can be avoided with Invisalign.

• Your kid feels confident 

Metal braces can surely give your child a beautiful smile but they come with their social concerns. This social stigma of wearing braces has been dealt with beautifully with these invisible aligners. Your child can remove the aligners at any time they feel like making them feel free and confident.

What Factors Determine If You Should Opt For Invisalign For Your Kids

Whether or not Invisalign is a great option for your child depends on your kid.

• Consider the age of your child and his or her maturity level to understand the responsibility associated with these removable aligners. If the child is apt to misplace or lose aligners, it can pose issues.
• The aligners are designed to be effective if worn for twenty to twenty-two hours, so your child needs to be responsible enough to not remove the aligners for long.
• Some alignment issues can only be corrected by braces, such as impacted teeth or severe misalignment problems. Since braces have more pull compared to Invisalign, children would need braces if their teeth need to move a considerable distance to get to their desired positions.

For children who are responsible and mature enough to handle removable braces, Invisalign can be one of the best options when it comes to straightening their teeth. Based on the specific teeth conditions, your orthodontist may advise you whether these clear trays are suitable for your child or not.