What is Invisalign for Kids?
When most people think about going through a corrective dental procedure for their kids, they think about traditional braces. This is when a series of metal brackets are installed on the child's teeth, all of which are connected together via a long, metal wire. There is absolutely nothing wrong with this - but in the last decade, in particular, a viable alternative has emerged.
That alternative is called Invisalign, which is a series of clear plastic aligners that are essentially invisible. Not only are they far more comfortable than traditional braces, but they're far more discreet as well - all while being just as effective, if not more.
But beyond all that, the benefits of Invisalign often make them a terrific alternative to traditional braces for children in particular for a number of key reasons that are absolutely worth a closer look.
What Age is Someone an Ideal Candidate for Invisalign?
The best part about Invisalign is that you are NEVER too early to begin this particular type of treatment. If you're old enough for braces, you're old enough for Invisalign.
Having said that, older children and teens are usually more viable candidates because their jaw and teeth have "shifted" to an appropriate degree. Younger kids are still developing and thus might want to wait a few years.
Eating With Invisalign: What You Should Know
One of the first questions most people ask is "can my kids still eat and drink with their aligners?"
The good news is that you can eat or drink whatever you want - so long as your kids remove their aligners FIRST. Of course, they can still drink water when wearing their aligners because water isn't actually going to do anything.
Removing their aligners while eating prevents damage that could be caused by the choices of food that they make. Removing the aligners also saves significantly on the cost of maintenance moving forward.
The Major Advantages of Invisalign: Loved by Parents and Kids Alike
Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign plastic aligner trays are actually meant to be taken out during teeth cleaning. This means that your child will NOT need to make any major adjustments to their regular dental routine. Of course, having a regular dental routine in the first place is of the utmost importance, but that goes without saying.
Another significant advantage of this particular type of system is that Invisalign aligners can and should be removed for all meals. This means that your child's diet will not be restricted in any way, shape or form - something that both of you will probably love. With traditional braces, for example, you have to be mindful of what you eat and need to avoid anything that can get stuck in between the brackets and wires.
Another thing that kids and parents both love about Invisalign comes down to the comfort and appearance benefits. Invisalign is almost totally invisible - which itself can remove this potential source of anxiety for the child who may be self-conscious about having braces in the first place. The trays can even be removed for special occasions, like picture day at school.
Finally, there is absolutely NO risk of broken brace brackets if your child eats the wrong thing or lives too active of a lifestyle. Likewise, Invisalign is considered by many to be far, far more comfortable than traditional braces. All of these benefits combine to form a solution that is more than worth the effort for most people, but especially for children.