At What Age Can Patients Be Considered for Invisalign Treatment?

Invisalign Huntsville, AL

Parents often wonder if Invisalign® is the right way to correct their child’s smile, and if so, at what age the child should start the process. Although patients do not have to wait until adulthood, this treatment should be started at the appropriate time to ensure satisfaction with the results.

Permanent results

While not a fixed rule, tooth correction generally should be initiated after a child has already lost all baby teeth and the full set of permanent teeth have grown in. For most children, this is around 12 years old, although it can happen sooner or later. If some of the child’s permanent teeth have yet to grow in when treatment is started, any corrective progress that is made to the teeth that have emerged can be undone when others grow in or the remaining baby teeth are lost.

However, accurate treatment for any patient is dependent on individual anatomy. For some children, the process of straightening teeth may need to be started before all permanent teeth have emerged. Since Invisalign® is customized to meet the needs of each individual patient, the decision of when to begin using the aligners should be left to a professional who should see the child before they gain a full set of adult teeth.

Consistent wear

Another concern for parents to keep in mind when considering Invisalign® for children is that the aligners must be worn at least 22 hours per day. Depending on the age of the patient, this may be a difficult or impossible task to accomplish. Younger patients may not have the discipline to wear the trays so often or may forget to replace them after eating or drinking. If a child’s need for treatment is not urgent, some of these concerns may be mitigated by waiting until the child understands the benefits of adhering to the recommended schedule.

Invisalign® benefits

Once a younger patient’s adult teeth have all grown in or a professional has approved treatment, Invisalign® can be a great choice and better than traditional alternatives. Although parents may be concerned that the trays are removable, this feature can also provide peace of mind. While traditional braces often impact oral hygiene routines by making cleaning teeth and gums hidden by wires more difficult, Invisalign is largely unobtrusive, which means that younger patients can give newly emerged permanent teeth proper care.

Furthermore, it is a more comfortable and subtle solution than traditional alternatives. Patients of all ages may feel self-conscious about the appearance of crooked smiles and the tools used to correct them. Since the trays are clear and subtle, younger patients may feel more comfortable opting for this form of treatment over traditional braces. They may also appreciate the lack of uncomfortable metal wires and brackets on every tooth that can make wearing braces a painful experience.

Conclusion

Invisalign® can be a comfortable and effective choice for straightening children’s teeth. Before deciding, however, make sure a dental professional has concluded that the patient is beginning treatment at an appropriate time.

Are you considering Invisalign® in the Huntsville area? Get more information at https://www.yourhuntsvilledentist.com.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Symptoms Of TMJ - Jaw Pain?

Want to know what symptoms are associated with TMJ? Many symptoms are linked to this commonly diagnosed jaw-related disorder, including jaw pain. However, other symptoms are important to be aware of as they can help the general dentist make a diagnosis and treatment plan. Many are surprised to learn that a general dentist can diagnose and…

Lumineers Procedure And Teeth Enamel

Lumineers® give you a less invasive way to transform your smile than conventional veneers. A veneer is a tooth-shaped cover that is cemented on the front part of teeth. It serves as a mask, hiding any flaws on the front of your teeth.Placing conventional veneers on teeth requires removing portions of enamel from the patient’s…

What Is Periodontics?

Periodontics is a branch of dentistry that focuses on studying, diagnosing, and treating issues that affect the gums and the bone structures that support teeth. Periodontal disease is the leading dental problem that periodontics focuses on.Periodontal disease is an infection of gum tissues caused by the bacteria in plaque and tartar getting below the gum…

What To Expect During Your First Visit To A New Dental Office

Your first visit to a new dental office can be a time of great anxiety, especially since you do not know what to expect. The good news is that going to a new dentist is simple, and by understanding what the first visit will entail, you can make sure you are prepared. The dentist will…

Recent Posts

Symptoms Of TMJ &#    ; Jaw Pain?

Symptoms Of TMJ - Jaw Pain?

Want to know what symptoms are associated with TMJ? Many symptoms are linked to this commonly diagnosed jaw-related disorder, including jaw pain. However, other symptoms are important to be aware of as they can help the general dentist make a diagnosis and treatment plan. Many are surprised to learn that a general dentist can diagnose and…

Lumineers Procedure And Teeth Enamel

Lumineers Procedure And Teeth Enamel

Lumineers® give you a less invasive way to transform your smile than conventional veneers. A veneer is a tooth-shaped cover that is cemented on the front part of teeth. It serves as a mask, hiding any flaws on the front of your teeth.Placing conventional veneers on teeth requires removing portions of enamel from the patient’s…