Proper dental care is critical for your growing child and teen, and that includes orthodontics. It is recommended that a child has their first visit with an orthodontist by the age of 7, even if they still have their baby teeth. By taking your child for their first visit at this age, the orthodontist will be able to identify even the most subtle issues with emerging tooth alignment or jaw growth, helping parents to prevent future dental problems for their child.
The orthodontist may find existing issues that can benefit from early treatment and may prevent more serious problems from developing in the future. Thanks to early intervention, treatments at a later age may be shorter and much less complicated.
Many parents have heard their child complain about metal braces. Thankfully, orthodontic treatments have evolved tremendously, and now most issues with shifting teeth can be resolved with Invisalign dentistry.
What is Invisalign?
Over the past few years, Invisalign treatments have proven to be a great alternative to traditional wire metal braces. It is a pretty simple and less painful treatment that straightens teeth using a series of removable transparent plastic aligners.
Traditional braces require a mold to be made of the patient’s mouth with a metal or plastic horseshoe tray. The tray is filled with a thick molding material that the patient is required to bite down on. Children sometimes have a hard time with these types of molds because of their gag reflex.
The Invisalign treatment process is much easier for children and teens. A mold of their teeth is created through a combination of photographs, x rays, and digital scans that create a digital model of the patient’s teeth. The computer model then creates the stages between the current and desired tooth alignment.
How it Works
After the 3D model of your child’s teeth is created, they will receive a progressive succession of clear trays that will move the teeth less than a millimeter each. Each new tray guides the teeth into a better position than the last. A tray is typically worn for one to two weeks before progressing to the next one. They have become so popular with children and teens because they are easy to put on and remove.
The List of Advantages
The list of advantages Invisalign has over traditional metal braces is quite extensive. Below are our top reasons to choose Invisalign treatments over wire braces.
- Children and teens (especially teens) don’t like the way wire braces look. They can be quite sensitive about their appearance, and traditional braces may make them feel self-conscious and less confident about how they look.
- Invisalign trays need to be removed before eating, so your child’s diet won’t be restricted like it is with traditional braces. They will still be able to eat their favorite snacks, like peanut butter, popcorn, and gummy candies.
- Invisalign’s are meant to be removed for a dental cleaning. Your child will be able to maintain a regular, healthy dental hygiene routine without adjustment. They also are at less risk for swollen gums and cavities caused by improper cleaning around traditional braces.
- An Invisalign tray can be much more comfortable than wire braces for your child or teen. They also no longer have to worry with broken brackets or rubber bands.
Right Age for Invisalign
There is no absolute age for a child to have Invisalign, but since it is required they be worn 22 hours a day to work effectively, it’s important that your child or teen is mature enough to be responsible for wearing the trays the correct amount of time. Each tray comes with a blue strip that wears down over time, so you and your child’s dentist can see if they are wearing their trays as they should.
How to care for your teeth and Invisalign tray
Invisalign treatments are also wildly popular because they require much less maintenance than metal braces. When it’s time to eat, your child can simply pop out the tray and eat what they want. After eating, they simply brush as usual and pop the tray back in. You also don’t have to deal with the awkward maneuvering when flossing like you do with wire braces. Keep in mind though, eating with Invisalign trays still in the mouth is a BIG no-no. Your orthodontist will advise you on how to properly care for and clean your Invisalign trays.
Advice from Alpha Dental Clinic
It’s always a good idea to be proactive when it comes to your child’s dental health. Visiting an orthodontist early for Invisalign in Montreal can help prevent issues much later on for you child or teen.
Alpha Dental Clinic was established in 2009 with the goal of offering affordable dental clinic services for all. Our dental clinics are conveniently located on the South Shore in Brossard and Montreal, offering procedures ranging from dental implants to orthodontics as well as regular care and check-ups.
