Invisalign® for Kids

At Speaks Orthodontics, we believe that patients of all ages deserve to smile big and smile often. Invisalign may be the perfect treatment for your child to give them a smile they’re proud to wear. Not only are we your resident smile artists, but Dr. Speaks has the advanced training of a general dentist and experience with hospital-based orthodontics.

This expertise makes him an authority on orthodontic treatment for all patients and allows him to make informed decisions when your child is ready for the next step in the process. We never want to put your little one in an appliance before it’s necessary, and it’s essential to have an orthodontist who puts your child’s needs first.

What Is Invisalign?

Invisalign is a series of clear aligners that progress your teeth through different stages until you reach your desired results. These clear aligners are gaining popularity in the orthodontics community because of the freedom they allow patients and the high level of comfort they provide. They are created using a thermoplastic called SmartTrack® that has been engineered for comfort and easy placement and removal.

To begin this corrective treatment, we will take a 3D image of your child’s mouth so that we can see every angle of their mouth, teeth, and jaw. It’s important that we see the whole picture to make informed treatment decisions and get aligners printed that fit snugly in their mouths. Using this 3D picture, we can also project what the result will look like so we can understand what your expectations are for post-treatment. After their first set of aligners, they will receive a new set every two weeks until we’ve achieved their dream smile.

How Is Invisalign for Kids Different than Invisalign for Adults?

Invisalign is an excellent option for children who will leave them in place. When consistently worn, they deliver consistent results for kids, and they give them comfort that they may not find with traditional metal braces. Kids’ mouths are more susceptible to adjustments as their mouths are still growing, and we can begin to treat problems before they develop into more significant issues. Invisalign for kids focuses on solving orthodontic matters from simple to complex and is very convenient for wearers.

One feature that Invisalign for kids has that is not present on the adult version is compliance indicators. Compliance indicators are small marks located toward the back of the aligners. As your child wears the aligners consistently, the marks will begin to fade. If the indicators are still present at the end of the two weeks, this is a sign your child may need to work on wearing them for at least 20 to 22 hours a day to maximize results.

What Are the Benefits of Invisalign for Kids?

If you know your child will wear the aligners, the benefits are endless! A fact that may surprise you is that if your child is put in Invisalign treatment, they are generally more likely to keep them in than adults. This is because it’s easier for kids to adjust to the change of having a new appliance in their mouths than it is for adults. Once they have them in, children are unlikely to take them out when they aren’t supposed to. However, this all depends on the child, and no one knows your kid better than you!

One of the things that makes Invisalign such a popular option is how there are no dietary restrictions. We advise patients to avoid hard, chewy, and sticky foods while in metal braces so that wires don’t get pulled and brackets don’t break. There are no limitations on what you can eat with Invisalign because you have to remove the aligners to eat regardless of the meal. This means your child can enjoy the treats they love without worrying about a wire poking the inside of their cheeks.

We all know that kids can be a little rough on their belongings, and sometimes they can damage their braces and experience discomfort through broken brackets and wires. With Invisalign, your child can skip emergency appointments and enjoy 24/7 comfort.

Parents and dentists alike can appreciate that Invisalign makes it simple for children to maintain excellent oral health. They can continue brushing twice a day and flossing as they usually would without worrying about navigating around brackets and wires. Food particles often hide behind braces, and it can be difficult for kids to reach them and keep their mouths clean and healthy. All they need to do in Invisalign is remove their aligners and carry on as they typically would.

How Should My Child Care for Their Invisalign Aligners?

With so many things pulling at your attention, the last thing you need to worry about is keeping your child’s aligners clean. Your kid can cover this responsibility themselves by taking a toothbrush and warm water to clean out their Invisalign after brushing their teeth and before putting them back in their mouth.

Can My Child Still Participate in Sports?

Of course! One of our favorite things about the Denver community is how active and adventurous our family of patients are, and we would never want to interfere with your child playing the sport they love. Invisalign aligners act as a type of mouthguard and can protect your teeth from harm. If they prefer, they can even remove their aligners as they shoot the game-winning basket, as long as they remember to put them back in after!