In years past, orthodontic treatment was not recommended until all of the deciduous (baby) teeth had fallen out. Today, we know that early intervention can be beneficial. We call this Phase 1 treatment. Previously Phase 1 involved fixed appliances in a child’s (age 6-12) mouth. Invisalign First changes that. It is a clear set of aligners that are specially designed for younger kids to correct problems earlier and prevent them from becoming more serious.
Once we have decided together if your child can benefit from Phase 1 orthodontic treatment, is Invisalign First the right choice?
Invisalign First Can Help with These Common Problems
Invisalign First can offer great results for children who have alignment issues such as:
- Crowding
- Malocclusion (bite issues)
- Narrow arches
- Effects of thumb sucking
- Results of tongue thrusting
- Aesthetic alignment
Invisalign First Advantages for Children
Invisalign First aligners offer several advantages over traditional, fixed (cemented in place), early interventions.
Ease of Care
Caring for the aligners, as well as your own teeth, is easier. The aligners can be taken out for eating, flossing and brushing. Cleaning aligners is as simple as rinsing them in warm water and some white vinegar then brushing gently with your toothbrush when you brush your teeth.
No Food Restrictions
There are no food restrictions with the aligners, so your child can eat what they normally eat.
Comfort
The aligners are more comfortable than fixed appliances, which create more discomfort due to added pressure on the teeth. Invisalign First easily slips over the arch and becomes barely noticeable. The aligners exert a gentle even pressure to the teeth, resulting in less discomfort. Speech impediments with the aligners are minimal to nonexistent.
Things to Consider with Invisalign
The challenge of removable aligners is that they are, after all, removable.
Compliance
Compliance with any orthodontic treatment can be a challenge with children. The aligners need to be worn 20-22 hours a day. You will need to help your child remember to take them out and put them back in when food is involved. The risk to non-compliance is added treatment time, but does not cause ill effects.
Easily Lost or Misplaced (or Eaten)
It’s very easy to forget an aligner on a lunch tray and accidentally throw it away. Or, to take it out before you eat and forget where you put it. Or, to find it in your dog’s mouth, as its new favorite chew toy. Therefore, the case is very important for protecting them when not in your child’s mouth.
Take into Account a Child’s Maturity or Attitude
You know your child better than anyone else. How is your child with following directions? Does your child keep up with what belongs to them? Will your child understand you are doing this to help them have a healthier mouth?
Walton & Maready Welcomes Children from the Age of Seven for Their First Visit
Your child’s initial visit is free and includes a comprehensive evaluation and x-rays. We look forward to meeting you both and helping your child have the healthiest and most natural smile possible. Come find out why Walton & Maready is proud to be a Platinum-level Invisalign provider and a winner of WRAL Voters Choice Award for Best Orthodontist. Schedule an appointment in our Raleigh office.
