Throughout our lifetime is more likely than not the need for orthodontic treatment, and, while there is no age limit for any orthodontic work needed, the sooner you treat a problem the better it is. This is mostly why most orthodontic patients are teenagers, kids, and young adults.

Usually, to address your orthodontic problem you’ll have to use classic metal braces. However, they are far from the only appliances available. Depending on the patient’s needs and preferences the selected appliance could be ceramic braces, lingual braces, or clear aligners for those who prefer a more discreet look.

What Is the Perfect Age to First Visit an Orthodontist?

Children should have their first visit to an orthodontist at around 7 years old, according to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO). At around 7 years of age, children will already have some permanent teeth developed, then orthodontists can examine them to determine any possible orthodontic problem taking shape. Parents can detect some of the more obvious problems at home like bad bites and crooked teeth, but only a specialist can recognize early symptoms of less noticeable issues. Additionally, orthodontists have various tools like x-rays at their disposal to recognize problems that lie underneath the surface.

Once a problem has been detected, your dental specialist can begin what orthodontists call early, or interceptive, treatment. Interceptive treatment is the name given to any orthodontic treatment done while the patient still has some of their baby teeth. Early treatment can minimize the intervention needed for a detected problem in the future. Essentially, minimizing your condition’s effect and simplifying the treatment that you’ll need later on.

The AAO states that early treatment seeks to eliminate the cause of the problem, guide your facial bone growth, and prepare a space for permanent teeth to come.

Is Invisalign Suitable for Teens?

Yes, Invisalign is suitable for teens. The clear aligners company made sure of that by creating an entire product around teens and naming it appropriately Invisalign teens. Clear aligners can treat a variety of orthodontic problems while simultaneously letting permanent teeth grow if the patient still has some baby teeth left.

Similarly, to regular Invisalign aligners, Invisalign teens offer the user a way of getting the treatment needed without becoming self-conscious about their smile. Not only do clear aligners help in maintaining your child’s confidence, but it also allows them to eat at their heart’s desire. Thanks to the detachable nature of Invisalign the children using won’t have to follow a strict diet to preserve the appliance in a good state, just make sure they remove them before consuming anything that’s not water.

One thing to take into consideration when deciding if Invisalign is the best option for your teenager is consistency. An Invisalign teen patient should wear the appliance from 20 to 22 hours a day every day. If your children tend to lose stuff or are quite forgetful, the Invisalign treatment could last much more than expected as the progress isn’t continuous. For these reasons specifically, you can ask for compliance indicators on your teenager’s trays. The compliance indicators are basically blue dots that fade away as the patient uses them. The indicator functions as a monitoring tool for parents to know if their children are wearing the aligners as much as they should.

For those wondering how much Invisalign costs for teens, Invisalign teens cost similarly to Invisalign for adults, which is anywhere from $3,400 to $7,100 without insurance.

Is Invisalign Suitable for Kids?

Once again, the answer is yes. Invisalign is suitable for kids. Just as Invisalign did with Invisalign teens, the aligner company sells a product called Invisalign First. Invisalign suggests for children start their Invisalign First treatment at around 6 to 10 years old.

Invisalign First is a part of early treatment, also known as phase 1 treatment. Meaning that it will intervene as a way to fix problems that may show up early in your kid’s life, as previously stated this kind of treatment will either eliminate the need for future intervention or at least make the future treatment much simpler. Additionally, clear aligners allow your kid to brush without the interference of permanent metal appliances, greatly reducing the risk of cavities and infections.

Start Your Children’s Treatment Today

If you are looking for Invisalign treatment in Issaquah, here at Egger Orthodontics, we will help you and your family begin your treatment as soon as possible. Set an appointment and get in touch with us.