INVISALIGN for children & teens
Dot Smiles: Leading the Way in Pediatric Invisalign Treatment
Orthodontic treatment plays an essential role in your child’s oral health, and it’s about more than creating beautiful smiles. At Dot Smiles, we’re committed to guiding your child toward a healthier, straighter smile using the most advanced orthodontic solutions. We’re proud to offer Invisalign First™ for children and Invisalign Teen for teenagers.
Children and teenagers have unique dental and orthodontic needs. For many children, as they grow, a robust orthodontic plan is crucial in shaping their dental future. Our specialized Invisalign treatments, Invisalign First™ for children and Invisalign Teen, are perfect for young patients, combining cutting-edge treatment with a virtually invisible design. Our primary focus is to improve children’s oral health and guide proper jaw growth, while enhancing their natural, joyful smiles. We create a welcoming, positive atmosphere where parents and their children will feel heard and informed every step of the way. Choose Dot Smiles for a different orthodontic experience, where we prioritize your child’s comfort and confidence.
Who is a Candidate for Invisalign?
Invisalign is for people of almost all ages (about 6 and up). Should your child or teen require orthodontic treatment, we’ll begin with an age-stage approach and customize from there. For example, younger children (6 to 11) may need growth guidance, while teens (12+) typically require more alignment-based solutions. We’re here to provide responsive orthodontic care for every person in your family who needs it!
Invisalign First
Also called Invisalign for kids, Invisalign First is specifically for children with either all baby teeth or mixed dentition (some primary and some permanent teeth). This stage of orthodontic treatment is known as Phase 1, or interceptive, and it is primarily focused on guiding proper jaw growth to prevent bite problems later on. Generally speaking, Invisalign for kids can reduce the length of Phase 2, or adolescent, treatment.
Invisalign for Teens (and Tweens)
Invisalign for teens is considered a Phase 2 orthodontic treatment. It accomplishes what braces do for adolescents, but without metal brackets and wires. Appearance can mean so much to our teens, and braces may feel like the end of the world to them. Invisalign can get them through orthodontic treatment with confidence.
Benefits of Invisalign for Children and Teens
What does Invisalign offer your kiddo? Braces have been the tried-and-true for literally 100 years, so let’s have a look at the Invisalign vs braces difference. Naturally, both have advantages and disadvantages. A few of Invisalign’s pros include:
Costs About the Same as Braces
One of the most common misconceptions about Invisalign treatment is that it’s more expensive than traditional braces. However, at Dot Smiles, we believe in making innovative orthodontic solutions accessible to as many patients as we can. That is why we have made sure that the cost of Invisalign for kids and teens is comparable to that of conventional braces. With Invisalign, your child receives advanced, comfortable, and nearly invisible treatment without an extra financial burden on you.
Nearly Invisible Treatment
Invisalign aligners are made from clear, BPA-free plastic, offering a nearly invisible orthodontic treatment. This makes them a particularly appealing choice for young patients who may feel self-conscious about wearing traditional braces. The aligners’ transparency means they’re almost undetectable, allowing your child to smile with confidence even during treatment. Whether they’re at school, playing sports, or hanging out with friends, Invisalign ensures their orthodontic journey is inconspicuous.
Remarkable Comfort
Without brackets or wires, Invisalign aligners eliminate some of the discomfort typically associated with traditional braces, making them an excellent choice for your child’s sensitive oral tissues. Every Invisalign aligner is custom-made to fit snugly over their teeth, minimizing irritation to the gums. This not only ensures a more comfortable wearing experience, but it also means fewer interruptions to your child’s day-to-day activities. They can carry on with sports, playing musical instruments, and even eating their favorite foods. Invisalign aligners provide an orthodontic solution that your child can probably live with.
Maintains Oral Hygiene
Since Invisalign aligners are removable, your child or teenager can maintain their daily oral hygiene routines with minimal hassle. Unlike traditional braces that can trap food particles and make brushing and flossing a challenge, Invisalign allows for easy and efficient cleaning.
Your child can simply remove their aligners to brush and floss as normal, then clean the aligners themselves for re-insertion, facilitating optimal oral health throughout the treatment period. This convenience helps promote healthy dental habits that can last a lifetime, making Invisalign an ideal choice for growing smiles.
Accountability Support
We know that Invisalign’s removable nature may create compliance problems for kids and teens, and we can’t be with them every moment of the day to make sure they’re doing just what they’re supposed to! The good news is that both Invisalign for teens and Invisalign for kids feature a blue wear indicator so you (and we) can tell whether they’re wearing their aligners as much as they need to.
Myths Debunked
We regularly encounter a few Invisalign myths that we want parents to know the truth about! Here are the facts:
- Invisalign is not restricted to simple cases and can treat almost any malocclusion. At Dot Smiles, we have successfully treated complex orthodontic cases with Invisalign, creating beautiful and healthier smiles for our patients.
- Invisalign is not significantly more expensive than braces. The two treatments typically end up costing about the same.
- And yes, Invisalign is for kids and teens too!
Why Choose Dot Smiles for Your Child’s Invisalign Treatment?
Invisalign’s effectiveness greatly depends on the competence of the orthodontist managing the treatment. At Dot Smiles, Dr. Elon Joffre specializes in Invisalign treatments and offers profound expertise, which he shares openly with patients and their families.
Our approach to Invisalign treatment is personalized down to every detail, including your child’s personality, special needs, lifestyle, and activities. And our laser focus on patient experience extends to the entire family. You can expect to feel seen, heard, and welcomed at every visit.
Invisalign First and Invisalign for Teens FAQ
A few very common questions and concerns arise as parents consider Invisalign First or Invisalign Teen for their child(ren):
Will Invisalign affect my child’s speech?
No. There may be a slight lisp initially, but it usually disappears as the tongue gets accustomed to the aligners.
How long does my child need to wear Invisalign aligners each day?
For optimal results, Invisalign aligners should be worn for 20-22 hours a day. They can be removed for meals and oral hygiene routines.
Can my child eat with the aligners on?
No, aligners should be removed before meals. This prevents damage to the aligners and also ensures better oral hygiene.
Will it affect my child’s ability to play sports or instruments?
No, your child can continue to participate in physical activities or play musical instruments. If your child plays a contact sport, the aligners can be swapped out for a protective mouthguard during play.
How often should my child expect to visit the orthodontist during treatment?
Typically, your child should expect appointments every six to eight weeks. This allows the doctor to review progress and make any necessary adjustments.
What happens if my child outgrows their aligners before the new set arrives?
In rare cases, if a child’s adult teeth grow faster than anticipated, the aligners may no longer fit before their replacement set arrives. If this occurs, please contact our office immediately and we’ll help you get it all straightened out!
What if an aligner gets lost?
Get in touch with us right away, and we’ll get your kiddo back on track!
Start Your Child’s Journey Towards a Healthier Smile Today
Book a free consultation today to start your child’s or teenager’s journey towards a healthier, brighter smile with Dot Smiles in Dorchester, MA.
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