What Are The Important Differences Between Invisalign for Kids and Adults

invisalign for kids

Published by Dr. Charles Gemmi

A Board Certified Orthodontist and a Diplomate of the American Board of Orthodontics, Dr. Charles Gemmi has been a practicing orthodontist with Orthodontics Limited since 2000 and is a member of the teaching staff at Einstein Medical Center. Orthodontics Limited is a Diamond+ Provider of Invisalign in Philadelphia and Hatboro, PA.

Orthodontic treatments have been revolutionized for many years. As a result, Invisalign has become one of the most popular options. But what are the differences between kids and adults?

This guide will go over what are the most important differences between Invisalign for kids and adults. If you are considering this treatment for a child, this may be a great reference guide for you. If you happen to be considering treatment for yourself, this is for you as well.

After you have decided whether Invisalign is best for your kids, you’ll need to find a practitioner that offers it. Let’s get started on the important differences you need to know about.

The developmental stage is different

To begin, we’ll discuss the stages of dental development between kids and adults. This will help you better understand how Invisalign for a 10 year old works compared to adults. Of course, children have yet to grow into adults.

Which means they’ll undergo a different approach to treatment compared to adults themselves. For this reason, children may be required to wear different types of aligners. They may also receive additional treatment through the use of expanders.

Adults will undergo a treatment that is more complex compared to children. One of the reasons why it’s like that is they may be dealing with underlying dental issues that may have gone unnoticed in the past.

Length of treatment

When considering Invisalign for kids, also known as Invisalign First, it’s important to know the length of treatment. The teeth of a child will move quicker and easier compared to an adult. Because of this, the treatment time will be shorter.

The estimated time window for an Invisalign treatment for kids will range anywhere from 6 to 18 months. For adults, it will take close to two years. This goes back to the complexity of the treatment.

The more complex, the longer it will take. Also, it’s important to know what specific needs and goals of the patient. Each one is different, so one’s treatment will be shorter or longer than others.

Another thing that needs to be addressed is the use of equipment. Children will need to wear their aligners for longer periods of time during the day. This can be a challenge since a child may forget to wear them on a daily basis or keep them in place.

That’s why you as a parent or guardian should help them create that structure. You can show them when they can wear the aligner and when to take it off. As an adult, you can take advantage of knowing this if you are undergoing treatment yourself.

The cost of treatment

Yes, the cost of treatment will always be a topic of discussion. Especially when Invisalign is considered for either a child or adult. The question is: who’s treatment will be more expensive and why?

The answer is Invisalign for Kids will be more expensive. The two major reasons are that it will take a shorter period of time and the additional treatment needed. What you may need to know is that the cost can also vary from who is doing the treatment.

If you are looking for Invisalign First or Invisalign in Philadelphia, you’ll want to consider your options. Especially when it comes to the cost of treatment. You may also want to consider whether your dental insurance may cover Invisalign.

Some dental plans may take care of a portion of the costs. Others may not. That’s why it’s a good idea to double-check your policy.

It may also help to ask the Invisalign provider what your payment options are. Treatment for your child (or yourself) is important. Your finances may not be in the best situation.

Rest assured, there can be arrangements made. Your treatment is more important than anything else. Don’t let potential financial constraints slow you down.

What else should you know about Invisalign for Kids?

Invisalign for Kids may be the better option for your child. Especially when the issue is good enough to be corrected by this treatment. Keep in mind, there may be situations where Invisalign will not be a viable option. Orthodontic braces may be needed if your child’s dental situation is too complex for Invisalign. It’s understandable that a child may be self-conscious about orthodontic treatment. With Invisalign, they won’t have to worry about anyone noticing if they wear the adjusters.

Like the name, it’s completely invisible. Which means no one will notice. That is unless your child takes out their aligner in front of someone.

Furthermore, it’s important to know about the specific aligners that are available for children and teens. Each of them will come with a compliance indicator to help them keep up with their treatment.

Finally, your child should have replacement aligners handy. If any aligners are lost or damaged, they can be able to wear a new one. This can be convenient for both you and your child.

If there is a need for additional replacements, this may come at a cost. Finally, it’s also important to read the Invisalign reviews. Not only through reviews of practitioners of Invisalign in Philadelphia, but also reviews as a whole.

This will help you decide whether or not a consultation for Invisalign will be needed for your child. You won’t know for sure whether a treatment is suitable for your child’s dental and orthodontic needs.

Final Thoughts

If Invisalign might be the best option for your kids, schedule a consultation to see if that is the case. From there, you can be able to monitor their treatment and help them wear their aligners daily. They will have a shorter time window for treatment compared to adults.

If you are considering Invisalign yourself, scheduling a consultation with an Invisalign practitioner in Philadelphia is key. You will be able to know whether or not treatment is possible.

Keep in mind that not everyone will receive this treatment. One major reason can be due to complex dental issues. If you do not qualify for Invisalign, please know there are other options.

Get Teeth Tips

Leave a Reply