June 9, 2024

Invisalign® Treatment for Kids: 6 Things parents should know

So your child needs orthodontic treatment, but you’re not too familiar with the benefits of Invisalign® for kids yet? Invisalign entered the market in 2000, which means it probably wasn’t a treatment option for you if you were in orthodontic treatment as a child.

If you’re interested in hearing how effective and advanced Invisalign is, you’re in the right place! As a Blue Diamond+ Invisalign provider (the highest distinction of Invisalign expertise achievable), we’re very familiar with the world of Invisalign.

Parents, here’s what you need to know about Invisalign treatment for kids:

Are braces “better” than Invisalign?

Invisalign vs. braces for kids: Which is better? 

Braces and Invisalign are very different. While no treatment is inherently ‘better’ than another, it comes down to your family’s preferences and lifestyle. Here are a few differences:

  1. Invisalign requires fewer orthodontist appointments. 
  2. Clear aligners are removable, which means maintaining great oral hygiene won’t require any additional steps or specialized tools, 
  3. Invisalign is just as effective as braces.

Let’s elaborate on some benefits you might not know about Invisalign First for kids:

1. We can treat the same conditions with Invisalign as we can with braces.

There’s a common misconception that Invisalign is not as effective as braces. We’re here to debunk that myth!

With Invisalign, our Blue Diamond+ Invisalign provider Dr. Andrews can treat the same conditions of all complexities as we can with braces. 

What is the youngest age for Invisalign? Common orthodontic issues, like bite misalignments and jaw irregularities, crooked teeth, crowded teeth and gapped teeth, can be identifiable at age 6/7 by a highly-trained orthodontist.

While some of these conditions may be present due to the natural structure of the teeth and jaws, many conditions are caused by childhood habits, like prolonged thumbsucking, pacifier use, and tongue-thrusting. Dr. Andrews can treat these complex conditions with Invisalign and prevent challenges (like speech issues, mouth-breathing and jaw pain) associated with bite misalignments. 

If your child needs treatment, Invisalign for 7 year olds is highly effective. Braces aren’t the only option any more!

2. Invisalign is ideal for children who play sports!

If your child plays contact sports, like football, soccer, cheerleading, basketball or another extracurricular, they will likely feel more comfortable wearing Invisalign. 

With no brackets or wires, Invisalign eliminates the risk of abrasions to the mouth when a football, soccer ball or elbow comes hurtling toward your child’s face. It’s still important that your child wears a mouthguard during sports, with or without orthodontic treatment!

3. Invisalign requires fewer orthodontist appointments.

Between your child’s schedule, family’s schedules and your own schedule, it’s a lot to juggle. Invisalign clear aligners don’t require frequent adjustments, which means you won’t have to drive to our office every 4-6 weeks as traditional orthodontic treatment requires.

This means you and your little one will only have to visit us when absolutely necessary. Every appointment is purposeful. As much as we’d love to see you every month, we know you’re busy! Invisalign First may work better with your schedule and lifestyle.

4. Clear aligners are conveniently removable.

Because clear aligners can be removed to eat, brush your teeth and clean your clear aligners, it can make your child’s oral hygiene routine a lot easier. They won’t have to integrate any specialized cleaning tools into their routine to work around brackets or wires, which can make it easier to help your child develop a consistent oral hygiene routine and commit to habits that benefit them for the rest of their life.

They won’t have to change their diet either! With braces, it’s important to avoid certain sticky, crunchy or hard foods that can damage brackets or wires. With Invisalign, all foods are still on the table.

5. Invisalign can be customized for a one-of-a-kind smile!

Our young patients love the option to customize their Invisalign clear aligners with decorative Invisalign Stickables™! Stickables are small, colorful, themed graphic stickers that can be placed on aligners to add a one-of-a-kind pizzazz to your child’s smile.

Stickables make for a great birthday gift, holiday gift or stocking stuffer, and are a great incentive for your little one to wear their aligners! They come in packs of 100 stickers with a variety of themes, like animals, emojis, food, travel, sports, shapes, holidays and more. 

6. Invisalign is more affordable than you may think.

Another misconception about Invisalign is that it comes at a premium cost. With some practices, this is the case. With Rogers & Andrews Orthodontics, Invisalign treatment for kids can be financed with 0%-interest, flexible financing

We offer 0% interest in-house financing and accept outside financing with Lending Club. Ask us about our pay-in-full discount, family discount, and military discount too! Plus, we accept most insurances, including TRICARE, and are in-network with Delta Dental, which can cover up to 50% of your child’s Invisalign cost

Invisalign is more affordable than you may think.

Help your child smile confidently for a lifetime.

Ultimately, the right treatment option for your child depends on your family’s preferences and lifestyle. We want you to know all of your options and understand the true benefits of Invisalign treatment for kids.

No matter the orthodontic treatment your family decides on – braces or Invisalign – you’re helping your child achieve a beautiful smile that will boost their self-confidence and improve their health for a lifetime.

On your first visit, Dr. Andrews and our team can help you make the best decision for your little one’s smile.

Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions in the meantime! We would love to hear from you. 

If you’re looking for a trusted family orthodontist in Augusta or Grovetown, come meet our team for a complimentary consultation!