At What Age Can My Child Start Invisalign?

Are you wondering whether your child is old enough for Invisalign? 

 

If you want a clear alternative to braces for your child's teeth, Invisalign is a great and practically invisible choice. These clear aligners might be the best teeth-straightening treatment for your child. 

 

But before you decide, you may want to check whether it is too early to get Invisalign for your little one. The age requirements for Invisalign vary, but your child can get the aligners any time after their permanent teeth have come in.

 

What Is the Best Age for Invisalign?

Each child's situation varies regarding the best age to get Invisalign. Some orthodontists will provide Invisalign for children aged 6 to 10. Many dentists prefer to wait until the child's baby teeth are out, typically around age 12 to 13. 

Invisalign treatment between ages 6 to 10 is called Phase 1 or Invisalign First. Its goal is to help growing jaws develop in a way that leaves space for existing teeth and the incoming permanent ones. 

That way, the treatment can prevent bite-related problems or stop the current bite issues from getting worse. It can also help with thumb-sucking habits and reduce the time that future orthodontic treatments will take to produce results. The best thing to do is to discuss your child's dental needs with your child's orthodontist. The doctor will help determine whether your child is a good candidate for Invisalign.

Is Your Child a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

When deciding whether your child is eligible for Invisalign, the orthodontist will consider the following:

 

Your Child's Age and Maturity

Your child must wear Invisalign aligners daily for at least 22 hours. Thus, the doctor will want to ensure that your child is mature enough for the task. Your child should wear the aligners without removing them too often during the allotted period or leaving them out for too long. 

 

Every Invisalign set comes with an indicator strip that fades the more you wear them. With that, the orthodontist will know whether your child wears the aligners often enough.

 

Presence of Baby Teeth

Invisalign is suitable for children with a complete set of permanent teeth. If your child's mouth is still developing, the doctor will consider whether Invisalign treatment is necessary.

Teeth Positioning

The orthodontist will check for any teeth alignment errors that can resolve with Invisalign. Teeth misalignment in kids can occur due to thumb-sucking or other dental problems. The doctor will also perform X-rays. The tests will check whether your child's teeth have enough room to move without interfering with the teeth yet to come out. The second and third molars do not need to have emerged yet for the treatment to be appropriate. 

 

Before starting the treatment, the orthodontist will confirm that your child's teeth are in good condition for the aligners. That may involve treating any tooth decay or cavities beforehand. If you feel that your child can handle Invisalign, talk to your orthodontist and book an appointment to learn more.

For more information on when your child can start Invisalign, schedule an appointment with Fei Hwang, D.D.S. Milpitas Family and Cosmetic Dentist, at our office in Milpitas, California. Call (408) 729-7882 today.