If your child needs orthodontic treatment, your mind will likely go to a mouth full of traditional metal braces. Your child may not like the idea of having to endure months or years of treatment with braces on their teeth, especially since traditional braces require diligent cleaning. Orthodontic treatment is important, however, so you and your child shouldn’t let the difficulties of traditional braces stand in the way of treatment. Instead, you may want to consider Invisalign for children.
What is Invisalign? Invisalign is a set of aligners that are essentially invisible, and the benefits of Invisalign make it a great alternative to traditional braces, especially for children. Read on to find out more about this orthodontic treatment and to see if it may be a good fit for your child.
What Is Invisalign and How Does It Work?
With the Invisalign system, your child will wear plastic aligners that slowly shift their teeth into the right place. The aligners are custom made to fit your child’s teeth, and they’ll apply pressure to the problem spots to move the teeth into position. Invisalign retainers can move your child’s teeth vertically and horizontally, and they can even rotate teeth if needed.
Your child’s dentist will create a customized treatment plan, which generally includes getting a new Invisalign aligner every few weeks. The benefits of Invisalign extend to almost all orthodontic issues, from mild to complex repositioning of the teeth.
The length of your child’s treatment depends on how much the teeth need to be shifted. On average, it takes about 12 months to complete treatment with Invisalign. What is Invisalign able to treat? Like traditional braces, these aligners can correct crowding, spacing, crossbite, underbite, and overbite. With Invisalign technology, your child’s dentist will be able to show you 3D models of your child’s teeth, so you can actually see your child’s smile improving.
What Makes Invisalign Better Than Traditional Braces?
The benefits of Invisalign over traditional braces are varied and many. With braces, your child will have to cut certain foods out of their diet to avoid damaging the brackets. Imagine having to tell your child that they can no longer eat popcorn, chewy candy, bagels, and more! With Invisalign, your child can eat whatever they want since they can remove their aligners when they eat.
If your child gets treated with traditional braces, they have to endure having them on their teeth until the end of their treatment. With Invisalign, your child only has to wear the aligner for 20 to 22 hours per day. This gives them the freedom to take out their aligners while they eat, floss, and brush their teeth.
Many children with traditional braces or even ceramic braces lack the patience and dexterity to properly clean all of the nooks and crannies. This can lead to tooth decay and discoloration. But what is Invisalign cleaning like? Easy. The aligner can be cleaned with the official Invisalign cleaning kit or simply brushed and rinsed with lukewarm water.
Less Pain with Invisalign
Many children find traditional braces to be uncomfortable. The metal can chafe against their mouth, and sharp parts can cut them, causing painful sores and discomfort. If your child participates in sports, they have to take extra caution to avoid getting hit in the mouth since braces can exacerbate any mouth injury. One of the benefits of Invisalign is its smooth plastic design that eliminates the risk of mouth injury. Your child can go through their usual daily routine without having to worry about extra mouth pain or soreness.
Invisalign Keeps Your Child Confident
As a parent, you want to do everything you can to make sure that your child feels their best. Many children who have to wear braces feels self conscious about their appearance and avoid smiling or showing their teeth. They may be nervous about how their peers will perceive them. Your child can avoid this anxiety with Invisalign.
With the nearly invisible clear plastic aligners that make up Invisalign treatment, your child can attend all of their activities with confidence. And they won’t have to worry about school picture day — they can just take out their aligners for the big moment.
Invisalign Improves Teeth and Gum Health
Making sure that your child has straight teeth isn’t just good for their appearance and confidence; straight teeth actually help your child’s overall oral health, too. If your child has gaps or crowded teeth, that means that their gums don’t fit correctly around their teeth. This can result in red and swollen gums. With straight teeth, your child’s gums fit snugly around their teeth and provide the most effective defense against periodontal disease.
If your child has improperly aligned teeth, it can lead to problems like improper bite, speech difficulties, problems chewing, jaw problems, and increased enamel wear. Working with your child’s orthodontist to determine the right treatment plan can help avoid all of these issues. With all of these benefits in mind, what is Invisalign unable to do, really?
Fixing Your Child’s Teeth Improves Their Overall Health
You know that orthodontic treatment is good for your child’s oral health, but what is Invisalign able to do for your child’s overall health? Bacteria causes tooth decay and gum disease, and the most effective way to clear bacteria buildup is through proper oral hygiene.
If your child’s teeth are misaligned or hidden beneath metal braces, it can be difficult for them to properly clean their teeth. Since Invisalign is removable, your child can easily clean your teeth and gums while getting treated. Post-treatment, your child’s straight teeth won’t have any gaps or overlapping areas that make oral care difficult.
If your child can’t properly clean their teeth, bacteria can cause tooth decay and gum disease can cause mouth sores, bad breath, swollen gums, or even tooth loss. Untreated oral infections can lead to even more serious conditions like heart disease, stroke, pneumonia, and diabetes. While you still need to make regular appointments with your pediatric dentist for preventative services, straighter teeth will likely lead to healthier teeth over the course of your child’s life.
Talk to Your Orthodontist
If your child requires orthodontic treatment, consider the benefits of Invisalign and discuss your options with your child’s orthodontist. The clear plastic aligners are easy to clean and won’t affect your child’s confidence. When anyone asks you, what is Invisalign? You can tell them that it’s the solution that will change your child’s teeth without all of the aches and pains of braces. If you’re interested in seeing if Invisalign is right for your child, contact us at Children’s Dentistry today.