Are you considering Invisalign in Hendersonville, TN, for yourself or your child?
Invisalign is a popular alternative to traditional braces. Invisalign technology is always advancing, so these clear aligners are getting more and more capable of handling even complex dental issues.
With that in mind, Invisalign isn’t appropriate for everyone or every situation. While you’re searching for the “best childrens’ orthodontist near me” for your official consultation, it’s a good idea to do your research ahead of time to determine whether or not your child will qualify.
We’re here to explain why (or why not) your child may be a good candidate for clear aligners. Keep reading to learn more.
Your child’s age is the first factor when it comes to whether or not they can get Invisalign.
Age plays several roles here. Your child needs to be able to take care of their own oral hygiene, they need to be responsible enough for orthodontic treatment (more on that later), and they need to have all of their adult teeth.
There are some benefits to being young when it comes to receiving clear aligner treatment. Childrens’ teeth and jaws are still malleable, meaning that their treatments may be shorter than they would be if they were adults.
You can start bringing your child to an orthodontist before they have all of their adult teeth, but you will need to wait to start treatment.
When you’re trying to determine whether or not your child is ready for orthodontic treatment (including Invisalign), it’s important to consider your child’s oral health.
If your child’s dentist and orthodontist are working together, this is going to be easy. The dentist will conduct general exams, preventative care, and restorative care. They can relay any information to the orthodontist with ease.
Your child needs to have good oral health before they begin Invisalign treatment. This means that they shouldn’t have any large cavities that require root canals or fillings. Their gums should be in passable condition and they shouldn’t have any broken or chipped teeth.
While these things will disqualify your child from Invisalign, the disqualification is temporary. When the dentist fixes your child’s teeth, they can begin Invisalign treatment if they meet all of the other qualifications.
As we mentioned before, responsibility matters when it comes to determining whether or not your child is a good candidate for Invisalign. This is also a factor for adults!
You know your child best. Do you think that they’ll be able to take care of their aligners and stay on schedule?
When your child visits the local best dentist for kids for a consultation, the dentist or orthodontist will go over some of the responsibilities associated with getting clear aligners.
The first is that your child needs to commit to wearing aligners all day. Depending on the treatment, your child will need to wear aligners from 20 to 22 hours per day (though there may be outliers). While it’s possible to slack off from time to time, maintaining this schedule most of the time is crucial.
If the aligners aren’t on for enough time, the teeth won’t move on schedule. They may also get too loose because the aligners are trying to move them too fast without allowing them to set.
Your child also has to be able to brush and floss their teeth after every meal or snack so that they don’t trap bacteria underneath the aligners. Aligners can get grimy from time to time, so your child also needs to clean them.
Finally, if your child is in school or camp, they need to be careful when they remove their aligners. Is your child prone to forgetting things? Would you be surprised if they left their aligners on a napkin and threw them away?
If you don’t think that your child is ready for clear aligners, braces might be a better option. Your child doesn’t have to worry about misplacing them.
Because of how much Invisalign technology has advanced, most conditions are fixable with clear aligners. There are, however, some exceptions that may make braces a more viable option.
Invisalign is appropriate for minor bite issues (such as overbites, crossbites, open bites, and underbites), overlaps, crowding, and gaps (among others). If any of these conditions are severe, however, Invisalign might not be the best choice. Braces may be quicker and more comfortable.
Sometimes significant jaw issues require oral surgery before your child can start treatment.
If your child has impacted wisdom teeth, they may also need to wait until they can have those teeth removed (though this isn’t always the case). When you look for the “best dentist near me for kids,” make sure they do a thorough examination to see if your child’s condition is suitable for Invisalign.
Finally, the lifestyle choices that your child makes may change whether or not they qualify for Invisalign.
Does your child play an instrument that requires their mouth? While many people report that they can play with Invisalign, not everyone is so lucky. If they have many attachments or buttons, they may have trouble.
It’s possible for your child to remove the aligners and have more success, but this isn’t viable during performances because they’re too long.
If your child plays sports, Invisalign might actually be a better option than traditional braces. They’ll help to protect your child’s teeth (though they don’t replace a true mouthguard).
If your child seems ready to get Invisalign in Hendersonville, TN, why not talk to your local “best dentist near me for kids” to see if they’re a good candidate? Only a dental health professional can tell you for sure.
Are you looking for an expert in dentistry just for kids?
Whether you need a pediatric dentist in Nashville, TN, or Hendersonville, TN, we want to keep your child’s mouth clean and healthy! Contact us to learn more and request an appointment today!
