Why Should Invisalign for Kids Be Considered Differently Than for 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.

Invisalign is a popular oral treatment for people who have crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth, or a misaligned jaw. Invisalign is a popular option for adults and children alike, but there are key differences to consider when choosing your treatment. Children and adult mouths don’t work the same, so it’s important to speak to a professional before deciding if Invisalign is right for your kids.

Invisalign for kids can help treat a wide array of oral problems discreetly so that your kids don’t get teased in school. Please continue reading to learn why you should consider Invisalign for kids differently than adults. We will discuss treatment options, dental problems, and the difference between Invisalign and braces.

When To Consider Invisalign For Kids

If your child frequently complains about oral pain, it’s time to seek orthodontic care. A pediatric orthodontist will give you treatment options so your kid can recover and feel comfortable smiling again. It would help if you watched out for the following situations that could make you consider Invisalign kids.

  • Your child avoids food because it hurts to chew
  • Your child has crooked teeth
  • Your child has large gaps between their teeth
  • Your child experiences oral pain
  • Your dentist comments on your child’s tooth arrangement during your visit
  • Your child has an overbite
  • Your child has an underbite

Treating these problems while young is a great way to prevent lasting oral damage as they age. For example, adult treatment plans can be more painful and intrusive than children’s. However, you cannot start Invisalign treatment for kids until there are adults you grow in. Most people start Invisalign for kids when they reach 12 years old or older.

Differences Between Kids’ Dental Problems and Adults

Kids and adults can encounter the same dental problems, such as crooked teeth, overcrowded teeth, or jaw misalignment. However, treating these problems when children are younger is much easier because their teeth and jaws are still developing. When you’re an adult, your jaw is finished growing, and it’s more difficult to align it into the proper place.

You also need to rectify your child’s oral health problems immediately to ensure they receive the proper nutrition to grow. Dental problems can make it difficult for your child to eat, leading to lasting health complications as they age. When you rectify these problems, you ensure your child can eat all the food on their plate to remain healthy.

Children are also more likely to develop cavities because they have weaker enamel than adult teeth. So, if your child has overcrowded teeth and you don’t rectify the problem, they may develop cavities that can cause lasting oral health problems. In addition, if you’re not diligent about your kids’ dental health, you run the risk of them developing tooth decay which can be extremely painful.

Why People Like Invisalign

Invisalign is a great option for children and adults because it’s unnoticeable and easy to clean. You can expect the following benefits when choosing Invisalign over other oral treatment plans for crooked or overcrowded teeth.

  • It is significantly easier to clean Invisalign aligners braces, and it’s easier to brush your teeth.
  • Invisalign is discrete, so other people cannot tell you’re receiving oral health treatment.
  • When you choose Invisalign, you can perform some of your orthodontic visits at home.
  • There are no food consumption restrictions when you use Invisalign to straighten your teeth or realign your jaw.

Invisalign can make oral health treatments easier on you and your children so that you don’t neglect other aspects of your oral health. For instance, it can be difficult to convince children to brush their teeth sometimes but when you choose Invisalign aligners brushing their teeth is easy.

Invisalign vs. Braces

It can be challenging to decide whether or not you would benefit more from braces or Invisalign aligners. Fortunately, the following comparison will make it easier to determine which treatment plan would work better for your oral health complications.

  • Invisalign is more expensive than traditional braces
  • Traditional braces are noticeable, and Invisalign is discrete.
  • It is easier to clean Invisalign aligners than to clean braces.
  • If you wear braces, you must visit the orthodontist more often for adjustments.
  • Braces can treat severe oral health problems that Invisalign can’t treat.
  • Both Invisalign and braces can straighten your teeth and realign your jaw.

It would be best to set up an appointment with an orthodontist before determining which oral treatment plan would work best for you. For example, there are some situations where braces would be more beneficial than Invisalign.

 There are also some situations where Invisalign works better than braces. Your orthodontist can give you better insight into your oral health problems to choose the perfect treatment plan.

How a Pediatric Orthodontist Can Help You

The sooner you bring your child to an orthodontist for oral care, the better off you will be moving forward. If you wait too long to treat your child’s oral health issues, you could make them resistant to eating certain foods because they hurt too much. Also, the sooner you treat these problems, the sooner they will resolve so that they don’t have oral health problems into adulthood.

  • Visiting a pediatric orthodontist is a fantastic way to treat your child’s oral problems before they become severe.
  • An orthodontist can ensure that your child’s adult teeth grow straight without overcrowding.
  • An orthodontist can ensure that your child’s jaw is aligned properly while it develops.
  • Your pediatric orthodontist can prescribe the right treatment plan to resolve your child’s oral health concerns.

After you find an orthodontist in your area to handle your child’s oral health needs, you can rest assured that they’re getting the treatment they deserve. The sooner you bring your child in for oral health concerns, the fewer problems they’ll encounter.

Final Thoughts

Invisalign kids and adults treat crooked, overcrowded, or gapped teeth without using braces. Some people don’t like to use phrases because they’re difficult to clean, and you’ll need to schedule more orthodontist appointments during treatment.

 The difference between a child’s mouth and an adult’s mouth is that your child’s mouth is still developing, and an adult’s mouth needs correcting. So, orthodontists can use Invisalign to prevent your child from developing a misaligned jaw, crooked teeth, or overcrowded teeth.

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