Should I wait for all the adult teeth to grow in first?
One of the WORST pieces of dental advice I often hear is that “you should wait until your child’s adult teeth come in before visiting an orthodontist.” I’m going to tell you exactly why this advice can end up costing you thousands, force your child to endure months of pain, and could even lead to dental surgery and extractions! Here’s the reality: dental problems in kids don’t improve on their own. If your child’s teeth are showing signs of misalignment or crowding, these issues won’t just ‘fix themselves’—they’ll get much worse. And below is a typical example I see a lot – a “too late” scenario.
The young child with the severe underbite, without EARLY orthodontic treatment, will end up like the 35-year-old adult which now requires jaw surgery.
7.5 Year Old
35 Year Old
7.5 Year Old
35 Year Old
How Early Should I see a Pediatric Orthodontist?
A bad bite can be treated early on between the ages of 6 – 9. Why 6-9 though? Well, this window is when a child’s jawbone is the most moldable. After all the baby teeth fall out and adult teeth grow in (around age 12), the jawbone hardens and its GAME OVER. It’s now much harder to fix without using drastic measures. Don’t miss out on that “golden window of opportunity”.
But isn’t Invisalign® for Teens and Adults only?
In 2019 a new solution was launched that solves all the downsides of the “old Way” of traditional braces, expanders, headgears and facemasks to name a few. That solution is Invisalign® First, and it’s specifically designed for children ages 6 to 9, before all their adult teeth have grown in. Special engineering allows us move all the teeth (baby and adult) as well as the bone. With Invisalign® First, we can gently guide the growth of their jaws and teeth using minimal force, preventing more serious issues down the road. It’ a GAME CHANGER.
What are the advantages of Invisalign® vs Braces for my child?
Here’s why Invisalign® First is transforming orthodontics for kids:
- Gentle, minimal force—virtually no pain.
- No need to worry about breakages—new aligners every week.
- No food restrictions—kids can eat what they want. Pop them out and eat!
- Aligners are removable for easy brushing and flossing – less chance of cavities.
- Treatment is way faster than braces in most cases half the time.
- Less visits – a compliant child can be seen every 15 weeks.
Check out this link on the side by side comparison of Braces vs Invisalign®:
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How is Invisalign® First less painful for my child?
- Expanders 400-600 gr of force
- Braces 50-100 gr of force
- Invisalign® is 5-10 gr of force
What if my kid loses his/her Invisalign® First aligner?
That’s no problem at all. We give your child a box full of aligners “sets” (a set is a pair = one upper and one lower). Each “set” is worn for one week each. So, if your child loses them, or if the dog chews on them, NO PROBLEM. Just move to the next “set” of aligners and you are good to go. And what if they lose the whole box? NO PROBLEM. Come in to the office so we can get a new 3D scan to get you back on track.
For a more interactive experience, check out the live YouTube version for the answer, where we dive deeper into the topic and share expert insights. Click the link below to watch the full video!
Less chances of cavities with Invisalign® First?
If you have ever had braces and/or expanders you know how hard it is to brush under the wires and around the braces. It could take quite a few tries just to get it right. Even if a little food particle is left, it can stick to the tooth, attract bacteria and cause a nasty cavity without you even noticing. With Invisalign® First, it’s too easy: pop out the aligners, eat, brush, pop them in. And it’s so much easier to floss without braces and wires.
Will my child be compliant with Invisalign® First?
Compliance means wearing the aligners 22 hours per day – taking them out only to eat and brush. Have Faith! At this age (ages six to nine):
- Physical, mental and social skills develop quickly
- Dress themselves and tie their shoes
- Critical time to develop confidence
- Most important: at this age they have a much better understanding of cause and effect, taking more interest in their appearance
Honestly, my Invisalign® First patients are way more compliant then my teenager or even adult patients. And you always have the option to switch to braces, expanders and headgears.
For a more interactive experience, check out the live YouTube version for the answer, where we dive deeper into the topic and share expert insights. Click the link below to watch the full video!
Can My Child Still Participate in Sports?
Yes! The Invisalign® aligners can never replace a proper mouthguard. But you can wear a mouthguard over the Invisalign® aligners to continue to work on that dream smile. The Invisalign® aligners can never replace a proper mouthguard as they are meant to straighten teeth only.
My Child Plays a Wind Instrument – What is Better? Braces or Invisalign®
If you have ever run your fingers across braces you will notice that they are sharp. And if they are pressed up against a wind instrument, the lip gets caught in the middle and that can be very uncomfortable. Also, don’t forget the cheeks when they press up against the side braces. It’s not impossible but why make it more difficult for your child?
How Should My Child Care for Their Invisalign® Aligners?
We know it can be challenging to get a child to commit to a daily oral hygiene routine, and Invisalign® makes it easy for children to take care of their aligners without adding too many steps to their routine. All they need to do is take a toothbrush and use water to scrub away any harmful bacteria or food debris from their aligners. And when they come home they can use a “fizzy tablet” that’s also used for retainers and dentures.
Don’t Wait!
See the orthodontist at age 6 and get a free evaluation. You could save time, money and pain – waiting till your child loses all their baby teeth around age 12 is too late many times.
Let’s make sure your child’s smile is on the right track—and do it with as little stress as possible.