A child's smile grows as they grow. Even with baby teeth, children ages 6 to 10 may be able to begin orthodontic treatment. This is referred to as Phase 1 orthodontic treatment.
What is Invisalign First?
Invisalign First is an orthodontic treatment option that is specifically designed for youngsters. For the most part, Invisalign First for kids works in the same way as conventional Invisalign treatment, but Invisalign First for kids is specifically intended to accommodate the eruption of permanent teeth when they occur in children.
It is a simple and effective method for correcting some orthodontic abnormalities commonly seen in children, such as arch growth and expansion, tooth crowding or protrusions, and space between the teeth.
As youngsters develop into their permanent teeth, Invisalign First gently moves their teeth into their proper places. Depending on the child's age, this might reduce or eliminate the need for more comprehensive or invasive orthodontic treatment in the future.
Benefits for Kids
Due to the following benefits, Invisalign First might be an excellent alternative or addition to regular Phase 1 orthodontic treatment for kids:
- It is intended to be comfortable for kids to wear, which means there should be no discomfort from rubbing brackets or poking wires.
- Because it is removable, kids can clean and floss their teeth as they have in the past.
- They are designed to treat a wide range of children's orthodontic concerns, both basic and complicated, including crowding and spacing issues, as well as small dental arches.
How does Invisalign First work?
When used in conjunction with a treatment known as dental arch expansion, Invisalign First is intended to enlarge and shape a child's jawline. Dental arch expansion is a procedure in which pressure is applied to the teeth in order to gradually widen the dental arch over time. The goal is to make enough room in the jaw for all the adult teeth to erupt properly.
Our Ottawa dentist can determine whether or not your child is a candidate for Invisalign First treatment when you bring them in for their first visit.
The dentist will begin the Invisalign First process by taking photographs, x-rays, and imprints of your child's teeth, mouth, jaws, and other facial features after determining that your child is a good candidate for treatment. All of this information will be sent to the Invisalign lab, where your child's customized aligner(s) will be created.
Once the aligners are completed, your child will return to our office to have the aligners custom-fitted to their teeth.
All of your child's teeth will gradually move into their new locations as a result of the aligners they wear during their treatment. A single aligner or a set of aligners (one for the top jaw and one for the lower jaw) may be necessary to correct your child's misalignment, depending on the severity of the problem.