Can Invisalign Treat Babies & Children? Invisalign is a popular orthodontic treatment option for adults and teens who wish to straighten their teeth and achieve a more confident smile. However, many parents wonder if Invisalign can also be used to treat babies and children who have orthodontic issues.

In this article, we will explore whether Invisalign can treat babies and children and discuss some factors parents should consider when evaluating orthodontic treatment options for their children.

The short answer is that while Invisalign can technically treat babies and children, it is typically not recommended or used for younger children. Invisalign may not be suited to really young children because Invisalign treatment requires high patient compliance and responsibility, which may require more work for young children to manage. No matter how much you monitored and assisted in your child’s orthodontic treatment, your child would still need to do much independently to a level beyond most younger children.

In addition, children’s teeth and jaws are still developing and changing, making it more challenging to predict the outcomes of orthodontic treatment. In yet another issue, these younger children will be in the early mixed dentition. This means they will have adult front teeth and usually one big molar at the back. The remaining teeth will be baby or deciduous teeth. In general, baby teeth will not put up with too much orthodontics as they may just fall out if put under much pressure. There is no situation where Invisalign is appropriate for very young children.

Invisalign First is a product designed for children who are not old enough for definitive treatment but who may benefit from early intervention to either relieve a specific issue now or make future orthodontic treatment more straightforward. I always say to parents you have to know your child. What I mean by that is that some children are diligent and attracted to rules and structures. They thrive under them. Other kids (like my own!) would need more patience, diligence, care or concentration to follow the programme of wear and care. An example of a situation that may occur is a very crowded and narrow arch in a young child. It may be beneficial to expand the arches early- even if only to create enough space for all the adult teeth to come down fully. There will still be a bit of crowding when the dust is settled, but the resolution will likely have been made easier. In a good case, early treatment may have eliminated the need for extractions to make space.

Once the adult teeth are fully erupted, Invisalign can be considered in the same way as it is for an adult again, only if the child is suitable to the discipline required. For the most part, parents know their children’s personalities better than anyone else can hope to. A teenager may often be on the dental chair asking for Invisalign while their parent is seated in the corner vigorously shaking their head no. In some countries, Invisalign Teen is marketed specifically at that age cohort. The treatment, however, will be the same really as for adults. One nice innovation is called a Compliance Indicator. The Compliance Indicator is a blue dot included on the aligner, which will fade if worn for the correct amount of time. In our experience, if you rely on the indicator, you already have a problem with compliance.

Invisalign MA, or Invisalign Mandibular Advancement, is a fantastic product. A widespread bite type involves a teenager having a small lower jaw versus an upper jaw. This product, the Invisalign Invisalign Mandibular Advancement, as the name suggests, is designed to advance the lower jaw to where it would have developed in an ideal world. This is generally vastly more aesthetic. This is especially so in boys with a small lower jaw; males consistently voted this as the least aesthetic malocclusion. In MA, upper and lower aligners have wings that interact with one another to hold the lower jaw forward while restraining the upper jaw. The results from a bite and aesthetic point of view are fabulous over time.

When evaluating orthodontic treatment options for children, there are several factors that parents should consider. These include:

Age and Development: Children’s teeth and jaws are still developing and changing, which can impact the effectiveness and predictability of orthodontic treatment. As a result, definitive orthodontic treatment is very unlikely to happen early. However, future orthodontic treatment may be made easier and problems reduced.

Treatment Goals: The specific orthodontic issues your child faces will impact the type of treatment recommended. Traditional braces are often the preferred treatment option for children with complex or severe orthodontic issues, while Invisalign may be a suitable option for mild to moderate cases. However, Invisalign is constantly expanding, and the range of cases not ideal for it is decreasing rapidly.

Patient Compliance: Invisalign treatment requires high patient compliance and responsibility, as the aligners must be worn for at least 20-22 hours per day and removed for eating and cleaning. Parents should consider their child’s ability to manage this responsibility before selecting Invisalign as a treatment option.

Cost: The cost of orthodontic treatment can vary depending on the type of treatment, the severity of the orthodontic issues, and other factors. Parents should consider their budget and insurance coverage when evaluating treatment options.

Treatment Timeline: Orthodontic treatment will take months and often years to complete and may require regular appointments and check-ins with the dental clinic. Usually every 6-8 weeks. Parents should consider the time commitment needed for each treatment option when evaluating their options. There are also considerations such as parking, work commitments, etc. Fortunately, at Cork City Dentist, several large car parks are in the city centre and across the road from our building.