Invisalign is an orthodontic treatment that allows patients to receive a corrective treatment in a fairly quick and unobtrusive way. Using a series of clear plastic aligners molded to the patient’s teeth an Invisalign Treatment slowly corrects and straightens teeth but can be regularly removed for either comfort or to eat. This removability ensures that patients can still eat whatever they want while their treatment is ongoing. Because of these factors Invisalign seems like the perfect treatment for teenagers who are afraid of receiving more traditional braces. So, can young teenagers use Invisalign Aligners?
There are a few concerns regarding Invisalign for teenagers and children. One of the most notable is how long Invisalign Aligners need to be kept in. The required amount of time for treatment is wearing the aligners for 20-22 hours a day, removing them when you eat and then brushing your teeth afterwards before replacing the aligner. This diligence is essential for the treatment and may be too difficult for some teenagers, especially younger teenagers, to keep up with.
One other issue is that for any orthodontic appliance that is removable, there is always the risk of “losing” it. So, parents have to assess if the child understands the importance of knowing where their appliances are at all times.
Thankfully, the aligners for teens come equipped with special blue compliance indicators that show whether the aligners are being worn for the proper amount of time. Invisalign Aligners are also designed for comfort and do not have any metal or hard rubber that may make them unpleasant to wear for long periods of time. Regardless, it is important for parents to determine whether their child is responsible enough to manage the aligners and how much help will be required to get the most out of the treatment.
Officially, Invisalign Aligners can be used by patients as young as six to correct emerging orthodontic concerns and generally, if a child or teenager would be considered old enough for braces, they should also be old enough for Invisalign. However, it is important to note that not every orthodontic ailment can be treated with Invisalign and it is important to speak to your Orthodontist to ensure that you are receiving the right treatment for you.
The Hicks orthodontic practice has been around for over 40 years, with Bryan Hicks taking over for his father. Dr. Hicks works hard to give his patients extraordinary outcomes from their orthodontic treatment.
If you have any questions about this article or need to talk to someone in the office, give us a call at (604) 922-0111.
