Many people think traditional metal braces are an unavoidable part of growing up. However, metal braces can be unsightly, painful, and embarrassing for many children and teens. 

Your child shouldn’t have to choose between a crooked smile or a mouthful of uncomfortable metal wires. Luckily, there’s a better way to straighten your child’s smile without the inconvenience of traditional braces. 

Our team at Arya Dental recommends Invisalign®️ clear aligners for children, teens, and adults living in the Fullerton, California area. We’re committed to offering top-quality dental care so your child can feel confident with their smile without sacrificing comfort or convenience. 

Can children and teens use Invisalign? 

While many people think of Invisalign as an alternative to braces for adults, Invisalign’s patented clear retainer system can also be tailored to children and teens.

There’s no specific age limit to be eligible for Invisalign, but older children ages 12 and up are usually the best candidates. As long as your child has their full set of adult teeth and is responsible enough to wear their aligners 22 hours every day without losing or breaking them, they may be eligible for Invisalign. 

Benefits of Invisalign

Invisalign aligners can correct common orthodontic concerns, including:

• Bite problems (such as overbites, underbites, crossbites, and open bites) 
• Teeth crowding
• Cooked teeth
• Smile gaps 

The invisible aligner trays can even fix these problems up to 50% faster than traditional braces. Not only is Invisalign a safe and effective solution for your child’s dental problems, but this teeth straightening system also has a number of advantages over traditional braces.

Invisalign is discreet

It’s a fact: braces aren’t the most stylish accessory. Many children are hesitant to get metal braces because they find them embarrassing and unattractive.

That’s why Invisalign’s clear plastic trays are so appealing to teens. When properly fitted and placed, Invisalign is virtually invisible, meaning your teen can straighten their teen without anyone knowing. 

Invisalign is comfortable

Traditional braces are made of metal fittings that are glued onto teeth and painfully tightened with strong wires. These metal and wire parts can cut your child’s cheeks and gums and cause discomfort during the straightening process.

Invisalign aligners are made from a patented material called SmartTrack®, a thermoplastic polymer that prevents irritation in the mouth. Plus, our dentists start your child’s Invisalign journey by making an exact replica of your child’s teeth, so the aligner trays are custom-fit and comfortable to wear. 

The series of trays apply gentle pressure to your child’s teeth and are then replaced every two weeks, without any need for tightening wires or frequent office visits in between. 

Invisalign aligners are easy to clean

It’s important to clean traditional braces regularly as food and bacteria can collect along the brackets and wires. However, you can remove Invisalign aligners before meals — and just clean your teeth and trays before wearing them again. 

As long as your child follows our office’s Invisalign maintenance guide, their aligners stay clean and stain-free. 

Invisalign is safe 

Metal braces can be dangerous to wear if your child is an athlete playing contact sports. Any bumps to the mouth can cause the sharp wires in braces to cut your child’s gums, lips, or cheeks. 

Invisalign aligners are recommended for young athletes because the form-fitting plastic doesn’t cause further injuries during an accident. 

Invisalign doesn’t require dietary changes

Crunchy, hard, and sticky foods can cause damage to metal braces, so many teens need to give up snacks such as popcorn, gum, and apples. 

Because you remove Invisalign aligners before eating, you don’t need to make any drastic dietary changes during treatment. Just make sure your child thoroughly cleans their teeth before putting their aligners back in. 

If your child is embarrassed by a crooked smile or needs a bite problem corrected, Invisalign aligners can help fix their smile without the discomfort and inconvenience of traditional braces. To find out more, call our office at 714-646-9546 or schedule an online appointment today.