Invisalign

Invisalign’s clear plastic aligners have become incredibly well known, beginning to eclipse conventional braces as the go-to orthodontic treatment. They’re exceptionally popular with adults for their ability to deliver effective results whilst remaining unnoticed by other people.

With this success, it’s only natural to wonder whether Invisalign can be used as an alternative to other orthodontic treatments for kids and teenagers.

Why Invisalign Is Great For Kids

Not only will kids and teens appreciate the near-invisibility of Invisalign’s clear aligners just as much as adults do, but the fact that they can be easily removed when needed also provides some major advantages.

The fact that the aligners can be removed means that it’ll still be easy for your child to keep their teeth clean during their treatment, which is a common concern for those with braces. Likewise, it also means that there’s no need for your child to alter or restrict their diet to accommodate treatment (for the most part!). In many cases, Invisalign can also deliver faster and more predictable results than traditional braces.

Invisalign Options For Kids and Teens

In general, orthodontic treatment is fastest and most effective when performed earlier. Thankfully, Invisalign offers two solutions specifically geared towards younger orthodontic patients, Invisalign First and Invisalign Teen.

Invisalign First

Invisalign First is an example of what is known as Phase 1 treatment and has been specially designed for children aged six to ten. It can be an effective way to address malocclusions, otherwise known as bad bites, in children of this age, whilst also incorporating a unique dental arch expansion feature and helping to make room for their adult teeth to come in without issue.

There’s plenty for you and your child to appreciate about Invisalign First beyond just the results of the treatment. Invisalign First treatment usually requires fewer orthodontic appointments when compared to traditional braces, something which we’re sure both of you will be happy about!

Although the Invisalign First aligners are made from clear plastic, just like the other treatments in Invisalign’s range, younger children who are less concerned about the visual impact of the treatment might enjoy being able to customize their aligners using Invisalign Stickables, sticker accessories that can be used to add a touch of personality.

Invisalign Teen

The Invisalign Teen aligners are very similar to the typical adult Invisalign aligners and carry all of the same benefits. There are a few differences though which teens and their families may find very helpful.

The first difference is the inclusion of a small dot at the back of the aligners. This dot starts off blue but fades as the aligner is worn, serving as a compliance indicator. This makes it very easy for both parents and dental professionals to verify whether the teen has been wearing their aligners as much as they should have or if they’ve been removing them a bit too often. It also allows treatment providers to know with certainty whether slow changes are best addressed with a change in the treatment plan or simply a change in the patient’s behavior.

The second difference is that the Invisalign Teen treatment plan includes more aligners of each type. This reflects the fact that teens may not yet be as diligent and careful as adults, potentially leading to a greater number of lost or damaged aligners.

Exploring Your Options

Whether you’re concerned about your child’s teeth or they’ve come to you about them, there’s likely an Invisalign option that could help. However, it’s even more essential that younger patients are treated by an experienced orthodontist who knows how to deal with their age group most effectively.

At Hulse Orthodontics, we’ve been providing orthodontic treatments for teens and kids in Carlsbad since 2007. If you’re interested in finding out more about how we could work with your child and help to address their dental issues, contact us today and one of our team will be in touch.

When many patients think about orthodontic treatments, they typically think about traditional metal braces. While metal braces are one potential option to straighten your teeth and get a smile that you love, there are some other great solutions that eliminate the downsides of traditional braces and still let you get the straight, perfect smile of your dreams. Read on to learn more about the alternatives to traditional metal braces.

Invisalign

For many years, teens and adults have been using Invisalign clear aligners as a way to adjust their bite and get a gorgeous smile without unsightly brackets placed on their teeth. Invisalign is a unique system of clear aligners that are made of a proprietary material that hugs your teeth to gently move them to a new position. You’ll work with your orthodontist in Carlsbad to progress through your custom series of aligners and ensure perfect results.

Many people choose Invisalign because the clear aligner trays are virtually invisible, so it removes some of the discomfort and self-consciousness that can happen with traditional metal bracket braces. Patients also like that these clear aligner trays can be removed during the day for eating and drinking. Removal also allows for comfortable oral care, as you will be able to brush and floss your teeth normally and clean your aligner every day for a perfectly clean mouth.

One of the only potential downsides of Invisalign treatment is that they cannot be used for extremely complex orthodontic cases. However, your orthodontist can typically use Invisalign to fix many of the most common orthodontic issues that patients face. During your consultation, your orthodontist will take a close look at your bite and any current challenges that you’re dealing with to determine whether or not you’ll be a good candidate.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces, also referred to as clear braces, are another popular alternative to traditional metal braces. The brackets are designed to blend in with the surface of your teeth so that they will not be as apparent as traditional metal brackets. Because they still use the traditional bracket and wire system, they can be used to treat a broad range of orthodontic challenges, including more complex cases.

Many patients choose ceramic braces because they provide all of the benefits of traditional metal braces but they are not as visible. If you want a solution that you wear all the time but don’t want it to be as obvious that you have braces, they can be a great solution for your needs. 

One of the downsides of choosing ceramic braces is that you will still have something on the surface of your teeth every day, unlike Invisalign. As with any orthodontic treatment, you will need to take your oral care seriously. The clear wires and brackets can make it more challenging to thoroughly remove food debris. Additionally, ceramic braces can sometimes be more fragile than traditional metal brackets. Your brackets can always be replaced by your orthodontist, but this will require a trip to their office.

Whether you’re interested in Invisalign clear aligners or ceramic braces, you can schedule a free consultation today with Hulse Orthodontics. Call us to set up your appointment today at (760) 448-1344.