Serving patients of Erwin, Jonesborough, and Greeneville TN
Since gaining approval from the Food and Drug Administration in 1998, Invisalign® has become an increasingly popular orthodontic treatment method. People choose Invisalign for its convenience, the ability to remove the clear plastic aligners, and the option to get straighter teeth more discreetly. In this article, your Greeneville Invisalign providers at Tusculum Dental Care provide information on how old you should be before getting Invisalign. The answer might surprise you!
Can young children use Invisalign?
Actually, yes! In certain cases, children between the ages of six and 10 years old can begin a course of treatment with Invisalign under the supervision of a licensed Invisalign provider in Greeneville. Invisalign actually classifies patients in this age group as receiving Phase 1 treatment.
Invisalign’s own website describes Phase 1 treatment as follows: “the goal … is to develop young jaws and/or arches to make room for existing teeth and incoming permanent teeth.” When a child in this age range receives Invisalign treatment, he or she could stave off orthodontic problems later in life, such as crooked teeth or a misaligned bite. It also could help curtail negative habits like thumb sucking. Using Invisalign as a young child also could shorten the length of treatment time if subsequent orthodontic methods are pursued later in life.
What makes your child a candidate for Invisalign?
- Crooked teeth – Even if your child still has some of his or her baby teeth, your dentist may identify problems as those permanent teeth start to emerge from the gum line. Those teeth may come in crooked or misaligned. They might crowd one another or leave a gap between teeth. In any of these cases, a course of Phase 1 treatment with Invisalign can help correct the spacing, orientation, and alignment of teeth.
- Following instructions – Your child needs to have enough maturity to wear the Invisalign aligners. Since they can be removed, your child has to be disciplined enough to wear them. Remember that, for true effectiveness, Invisalign aligners need to be worn for 20 to 22 hours per day. The aligners only should be removed when your child is eating, brushing, or flossing. Your child also will need to be conscientious enough to avoid the aligners being damaged or getting lost.
- Good dental hygiene – It helps if your child already has good habits when it comes to their oral health. That means regular brushing and flossing, combined with avoiding habits that can damage teeth. It’s actually easier for your child to care for their teeth while undergoing Invisalign than it is with braces.
Get Invisalign in Greeneville
Now that you have more knowledge about Invisalign, you might be interested in seeing if it is right for your child. At Tusculum Dental Care, we’re proud to be a licensed Invisalign provider for our patients in the areas of Greeneville, Jonesborough, and Erwin in Tennessee. We can compose a comprehensive individualized treatment plan just for you. Schedule a consultation online or by calling (423) 639-7575.