Children and teenagers want to have a five-star smile, and Invisalign for kids can help them get just that. Here at Sturbridge Orthodontics, you’ll find an array of solutions for your kids and teenagers. You might wonder if starting orthodontics early is even necessary, so we thought about sharing some important information with you.

According to the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO), children should start going to an orthodontist around age 7. This doesn’t mean they’ll get braces right then and there, but starting early means we get to understand their bone growth and jaw development much better. If they need corrective treatment, you might want to consider some options, such as Invisalign for kids.

Is Invisalign Good for Kids?

Yes, children can use clear aligners such as Sturbridge Invisalign. The procedure is just as safe and successful for children as it is for adults as long as the child’s teeth have reached the appropriate stage of development. Aligner treatment, on the other hand, necessitates caution and responsibility. 

Sturbridge Invisalign for Kids is undoubtedly safe and effective for youngsters with proper oral development. As long as they are motivated and cooperative, and if they are of an age where they are responsible enough to accept the treatment. If your child has reached the optimal age for braces, clear aligners may be an option.

Is Sturbridge Invisalign Good for Teenagers?

Teenagers who are disciplined and committed to completing their treatment in a timely and efficient manner, who can follow the orthodontist’s instructions, and who are willing to wear their aligners at all times, regardless of their ability to take them out whenever they want, are the best candidates for Invisalign aligners.

It’s crucial to remember that most teenagers having Invisalign treatment do better than their parents expect. If your teen has a case where Invisalign might be an appropriate treatment, we will strongly suggest it.

Please contact us if your teen requires Sturbridge orthodontic treatment and you have any questions. We are a family-oriented practice that cares for patients of all ages. We understand how tough it can be to treat your teenager at this development point, so we’re here to help. Don’t put off getting your teen on the path to a lifetime of healthy smiles!

Benefits Of Invisalign For Kids And Teenagers

There are several benefits of Invisalign for kids and teens, including

Invisalign Aligners Are Impossible to See

Sturbridge Invisalign aligners leverage the use of smooth, BPA-free transparent plastic that fits over the teeth like a second skin. The majority of people will not notice your child is wearing aligners, and they will be able to smile confidently throughout their treatment.

No More Food Restrictions 

Patients frequently inquire whether they may eat lollipops while using Invisalign. Is popcorn okay to consume when using clear aligners? Yes, you can consume lollipops and popcorn while wearing Invisalign. There are no food restrictions because the aligners are removable. 

Kids can continue to consume their favorite foods, such as popcorn, pizza crust, and candies, as long as they remove their aligners first and brush their teeth before replacing them. 

You won’t have to worry about your child breaking their appliance by eating anything hard at school, nor will you have to forego sweets during the holidays. Still, kids would do well to stay away from excessively sugary foods and drinks.

Brushing and Flossing Is Easy

The fact that the aligners are detachable also means that children may brush and floss regularly without maneuvering around brackets and wires. When weighing the pros and downsides of braces vs Invisalign, keep in mind your child’s dental hygiene habits.

Treatment Is Comfortable

Smooth and comfy Invisalign aligners. Braces can irritate the mouth, but your kids’ clear aligner trays won’t. While youngsters may experience some sensitivity during their first week with Invisalign, and sometimes after putting in new trays, it won’t be excessive. Our Sturbridge Invisalign Teen patients tolerate aligners well.

Kids and Teens Will Get Used to Sturbridge Invisalign Quickly 

Due to the lack of hardware, wearing Invisalign aligners is easier than getting used to wearing braces. During their first week with Invisalign, some patients’ sole complaint is a minor lisp, but speaking rapidly returns to normal.

Great for Active Teens 

Invisalign Teen is ideal for musicians and athletes. Kids won’t get smacked in the mouth during a game or cut their lips while trying to reach a high note.

Suitable for Many Orthodontic Problems 

When treatment is organized by an Invisalign professional like the orthodontists at Houston Orthodontic Specialists, Invisalign works for many cases. Overbite, spacing, crowding, an open bite, and other issues will be a thing of the past thanks to your kids’ Invisalign clear aligner trays.

Perfect for Special Events

Children must wear their clear aligners for 20 to 22 hours each day; they can take them out for special occasions like class photographs, school dances, or when playing sports. The impact of Invisalign is minimal.

Challenges of Sturbridge Invisalign Treatment for Kids and Teens

While Invisalign has many advantages for younger kids, it does have one disadvantage: children must keep track of their aligners and be vigilant about storing them in their Invisalign case when not in use. While removable Invisalign teen aligners benefit some, they can be a disadvantage if your child loses things frequently.

Braces, which are bonded to the teeth and stay in place during treatment, could be a better alternative if you don’t think your child or teenager will be responsible for their aligners. The good news is that the Invisalign Teen system includes a few free replacement aligners for your children.

On the other hand, If your teen’s orthodontic case is exceptionally complex, Invisalign may not be the best option. Braces may be the only viable option if they have a severe overbite since tooth movement is faster and firmer with those appliances.

Early Correction Benefits

When a child is between the ages of seven and 10, two-phase treatment begins. Addressing these problems early on will reduce the cost of treatments needed in the future, if not eliminated.

Early correction also enables the monitoring of a child’s dental development and growth and the correction of any difficulties that arise. Families who bring their children in for an orthodontic screening at a young age gain the advantage of knowing what to expect later on. This provides an opportunity to start a savings plan.

In your research for viable treatment options for your child, we are sure that you have also heard of Sturbridge Invisalign for kids.

Two-Phase Orthodontics

At Sturbridge Orthodontics we understand that when a child’s orthodontic problem doesn’t seem to be improving, it can be very troublesome and stressful for parents. However, when this happens, orthodontists can employ a strategy to repair it while also preventing future difficulties. 

This specific approach, known as developmental or two-phase orthodontic treatment, can provide your child with a healthy smile for the remainder of their life. Let’s take a deeper look at what this treatment entails.

This procedure fixes various issues that will only worsen with time if left untreated. This treatment can help children who have had tooth injuries during development or have a restricted palate. Children with a thumb-sucking habit that causes their front teeth to protrude are in the same boat.

Children with an odd bite or teeth that appear to be excessively crowded may benefit from orthodontic treatment. Finally, if your children snore or breathe through their mouths while sleeping, this is a good cause to bring them in, as this may necessitate treating more than just their teeth. Let’s take a quick look at the benefits of two-phase orthodontics for your child.  

Since you are already familiar with the benefits of two-phase orthodontics, it’s time we take a look at the different parts of this treatment and what exactly happens in each phase. 

What Happens In Phase I

Because your kid’s jaws are still developing, we can focus on the proper eruption of permanent teeth in this initial phase of treatment. Phase one ensures enough room for permanent teeth to come in while also correcting jaw alignment.

Orthodontic History

In the first phase, your child’s orthodontic records will need to be created. Photos and x-rays, as well as models of their teeth, will also be part of these records.

Your orthodontist will need all of this information since it’s necessary to determine whether corrective treatment is required or not. If that’s the case, the models and images will aid your orthodontist in deciding the optimum orthodontic treatment plan, which will include:

• How many visits will your child require?
• Which appliances will be required?
• Treatment time.

All of the following are contingent on the quantity and nature of your child’s problems. Even if the orthodontist determines that no treatment is necessary at this time, they may recommend periodic monitoring to ensure that the jaw and teeth remain in their ideal placements.

Extraction or Appliance Wearing.

The orthodontist may determine that they need to remove one or more baby teeth to help permanent ones erupt without problems. Some children require using an appliance to aid in tooth or jawbone mobility. Two examples are banding or bonding teeth or wearing an arch to hold any space created by tooth removal.

Waiting for adult teeth.

A “resting time” occurs after phase one. This just means that we will wait till their permanent teeth have appeared. During this time, your child will need to visit the orthodontist regularly—roughly twice a year—to have their teeth checked by a professional. Their teeth would have enough room to come in and be feasible if the first step of the treatment was successful.

What Happens In Phase II

The primary goal of phase 2 is to keep your child’s teeth healthy for the rest of their life. This entails ensuring that each tooth is in the right position in relation to adjacent teeth, tongue, cheeks, and lips.

Your orthodontist will now have everything they need to compare the present position of your children’s teeth and jaws to where they were before, thanks to all of the data they made in Phase 1. The orthodontist may need to fine-tune the treatment plan at this point to account for anything that comes up between phases I and II.

Braces Installation

Beginning orthodontic braces treatment on both the upper and lower teeth is the best strategy to achieve optimal tooth and jaw alignment. To accomplish this, an orthodontist will bond brackets to each tooth with dental cement.

Stainless steel wires will connect each set of brackets. We will adjust this archwire regularly to apply pressure to the teeth and help them migrate into the

right place. If your treatment requires any additional force to displace the jaw, rubber bands, coils, or springs may also help achieve the goals.

Time Required for Treatment

Because teeth and jaws take time to shift into the proper positions, your child should anticipate wearing braces for two years. After they’re done with braces, your child will need to wear a retainer for several months to keep their teeth in their new places and their jaw aligned properly.

Schedule an Appointment for Your Child or Teen

If you still have questions or concerns about two-phase orthodontics or Sturbridge Invisalign Treatment to fix your child’s orthodontic issues visit our website and contact a Sturbridge Orthodontics team member to schedule your kids.