Invisalign treatment has been quickly becoming one of the most used form of braces and for good reason! They offer a much nicer look and feel compared to traditional braces and not to mention, they’re much more convenient. However, Invisalign does offer a couple more limitations than traditional braces. One of these being age, or rather, the maturity of a person’s teeth. Outside of that, there are other stipulations your orthodontist might check on during your consultation before suggesting Invisalign.
Tooth Maturity
One of the biggest aspects that must be followed for Invisalign patients is the fact that their adult teeth must be fully mature. Invisalign isn’t suggested for children, or even teens, that still have baby teeth or adult teeth that aren’t fully matured. This is because, for the most part, braces were meant mainly for only adult teeth as a long term fix. Baby teeth fall out allowing adult teeth to come in, fill in spaces in teeth, etc. This means adult teeth will look and sit different in the mouth than baby teeth will. A child’s dental needs might change one their baby teeth fall out and their adult teeth come in.
Responsibility
Another reason why it’s hard for younger children to utilize Invisalign is because they must have the integrity to wear the trays at least 22 hours a day. Children are often not responsible enough to understand why there might be some pain involved and they may not leave the trays alone without constant supervision. Traditional braces aren’t removable which means, if kids get them, there is no worry about them being effective or not.
Invisalign was never created to be much of an option for children. In fact, when created, Invisalign had teens or adults in mind. You see, Invisalign is a removable brace that adjusts teeth as quickly or in the same way that traditional braces do. However, they’re clear and less bulky than traditional braces. This allows adults and teens to endure braces without those embarrassing photos, the lisp that sometimes comes with traditional braces, the limitations on food, etc.
It’s best to talk to your orthodontist about the best options for your children. Don’t be upset if your orthodontist doesn’t suggest Invisalign for your young child. This is for their sake as some orthodontic treatments aren’t safe or meant for certain ages. There are some adults that are even rejected for Invisalign because it’s not the best option for their circumstances. Although Invisalign is an amazing option and is widely used, there are those that might not qualify to use them. There is no need to fret though as your orthodontist will be able to give you the best option for you or your child’s needs.
