What Is the Right Age for Getting Invisalign?

Many patients who want to correct their smiles find themselves wondering if clear aligners could be a good option for them. While braces can be a great choice, Invisalign tends to be a good fit for patients who are too old to find the idea of customizing colorful elastics appealing. Our team at Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, offers clear aligners as an alternative for patients who don’t want to deal with brackets and wires.

What Is the Right Age for Getting Invisalign?

An Excellent Treatment Option for Adults of All Ages

Many adults want to avoid wearing visible braces, but wonder if Invisalign can be customized for their unique needs. With the help of powerful 3D imaging, we have the ability to personalize the invisalign treatment plan for each of our patients. Each aligner is made specifically for your teeth.

Many patients who seek out this treatment are adults that didn’t get braces as kids and want to correct their dental concerns. This gentle and effective treatment can be used for both young and older patients, as long as their gums and teeth are in reasonably good health. If you have questions about whether or not you’d be a good candidate, we would be happy to talk with you and discuss your options.

Can It Be Used for Kids?

When kids are in the age range where they see their peers getting braces, the idea of getting braces themselves may not be as upsetting. Some kids are able to see it as a rite of passage and can get excited about choosing their elastics or looking at the different bracket options.

That said, it’s common for kids to reach an age where they are afraid braces will make them stand out. Teenagers, in particular, may be concerned about this. In those cases, clear aligners may be a good alternative to consider. As with all our patients, we will want to go over their dental needs. That way we can give you sound advice on which treatments we believe have the best chance of being a good fit for your child.

How Long Will This Treatment Take for My Kid?

Invisalign involves a series of aligners; the patient will wear each set for about two weeks before they can move on to the next one. Each time they make this transition, their teeth will be getting closer to the desired Invisalign alignment. This process can usually be wrapped up in 12 months, but this timeline can change slightly depending on the necessary corrections. Some patients need a longer series, while others can make do with a shorter one.

To compare this process with braces, braces are placed on the patient’s teeth where they will remain throughout the entire treatment. They will be adjusted on a regular basis to continue guiding the teeth into a more correct alignment. Kids usually can be expected to wear braces for 18 months or more. That means that while both treatments have their own benefits, using aligners may make the treatment process a bit quicker.

Can Braces and Aligners Be Used Together?

For some patients who need more involved corrections, braces may be the best way to start off their treatment process. While it wouldn’t be possible to wear braces and Invisalign at the same time, sometimes clear aligners can be used to shorten the amount of time a patient has to wear their braces.

Once their teeth have been corrected to a certain point, the patient may be able to have their braces removed early and switch to clear aligners to finish off their treatment. Feel free to let us know if this option appeals to you, and we can let you know if it would be a good call for you or your child’s needs.

Will My Child Be Able To Remove Their Aligners?

Yes. The removability of these aligners is one of their best perks. It can allow your child to brush and floss their teeth more easily since they won’t have to work around elastics and brackets. They’ll also be able to remove the aligners when they eat.

That said, this benefit also means your child will have to be ready to take good care of their aligners and not misplace them. They will also need to understand that for the aligners to work properly, they should be worn between 20 to 22 hours each day. If your child understands the importance of wearing their aligners consistently and keeping them safe, they may be a good candidate for clear aligners.

Aligners and Dental Hygiene

We’ve mentioned that the removability of these aligners can make brushing easier. That makes this a great perk for patients who struggle to brush and floss as thoroughly as they should. If your child already struggles sometimes to clean their teeth properly, adding braces to the mix could make hygiene more challenging for them.

While keeping teeth clean is still very important when you have aligners, they can help make it simpler and easier for patients to stay on top of their oral health.

Be Proactive

If your child has tooth alignment issues, it may be tempting to wait and see if they “grow out of it” when their adult teeth come in. Sometimes kids will have gaps in their teeth that close with time as more teeth come in. Sometimes when kids start getting their permanent teeth, these teeth may start off looking a little crooked and then level out somewhat. However, it’s important not to wait too long to seek out treatment.

There are many cases of overcrowding that can get worse with time. This is especially true if erupting wisdom teeth start to push already crowded teeth further into each other. When in doubt, we’d be happy to offer advice on whether being proactive could help prevent worse dental issues down the line. If treatment is called for, clear aligners can be a convenient and gentle way to start correcting problems before they get worse.

Benefits for All

Maintain Your Diet

We’ve touched on the removability of Invisalign. It’s clear to see how being able to eat what you want can be a pretty big benefit, but this is especially true for patients who have a limited diet, to begin with. For these patients, choosing clear aligners means they don’t have to cut more options out of their diet. That can help these patients maintain a balanced diet and more easily get the nutrition they need.

Invisible

When patients are considering the benefits clear aligners have to offer, this is often one of the most appealing. Discretion combined with corrective power means you can pursue your dental goals without taking a blow to your confidence. You won’t have to worry about braces showing up in your pictures, or being a part of your special events.

A Good Fit for Active Lifestyles

While most braces are built from durable material and made to last, some patients are still concerned about wearing braces if they regularly play sports or have active jobs and hobbies.

Mouth protection can help reduce the risk of damaging your braces, but since clear aligners don’t have any wires, brackets, or hard edges, they can help patients pursue their hobbies with more confidence and peace of mind.

Saving Time

Clear aligners don’t usually require as many dental appointments as braces, since braces have to be regularly adjusted. When patients with aligners do come in to track their progress, these appointments can often be quicker and easier when compared to adjusting braces. Saving even a little bit of time can add up in a big way for patients with packed schedules.

Comfort

The smooth material of these aligners makes them a comfortable option. Patients with sensitive mouths may have an easier time adjusting to aligners, which could help them get a better night’s sleep when compared to alternative treatments.

Additionally, correcting tooth alignment issues can lead to better comfort levels in the future. When teeth are misaligned, that can contribute to jaw pain, headaches, and even premature enamel loss. If a patient has protruding teeth, they may also be at more risk of injuring their mouth during sports. By correcting these concerns, you can help improve your comfort levels in the future.

Take the Next Step Towards Your Smile Goals

While it can certainly be helpful to learn about various treatments on your own, nothing is able to replace the importance of consultation. During your consultation, you’ll be able to bring us your questions and concerns, and we’ll be able to walk you through the process and give you a clear idea of what to expect. Reach out to us at Implant and Comprehensive Dentistry in Champions Gate, FL, today to get your consultation set up.