For those of us who remember having braces as a kid, there were many inconveniences associated with it. Memories of stray wires, loose brackets, and difficult cleaning might have one considering alternative options for his or her own kids. While the technology for braces today is greatly improved over 30 and 40 years ago, Invisalign is one potential alternative that largely does away with the downsides of braces.
Unlike with braces, there is no list of foods you cannot eat with Invisalign because the tray is removed for eating. For the same reason, brushing and flossing are much easier as well. And, Invisalign is nearly unnoticeable compared to braces. With all these perks, it may sound like the perfect alternative—so, can a child use Invisalign?
The short answer is yes, absolutely. The long answer is that it depends on the child. Invisalign can be a perfect alternative, but more so than braces, it requires discipline and care on the part of the individual. Once braces are put on, they don’t demand any daily resolve to keep on; they become a passive feature of the person’s day.
Invisalign, on the other hand, calls for some willpower to replace the tray after eating or brushing and keep it in for the remainder of the day. For this reason, Invisalign is more often recommended for adults who can manage these priorities. But that doesn’t disqualify children from using Invisalign!
Any child who is capable of diligently following directions could certainly be a candidate. Invisalign can make an ideal alternative to braces, but only if the child is willing to take the daily steps that are necessary to make it work.
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.
