In today’s world, Invisalign is advertised as an equivalent to braces. However, many do not realize that this is simply not the case. Although completely safe for adults and teens, Invisalign is NOT advertised towards children. Some practices are Invisalign preferred providers, and will try to sell you on the idea of a clear aligner system for your child in order for them to further their profit. Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics provides Invisalign near Dallas, OR, and can help you decide on what type of braces that your child really needs.
Although Invisalign has a relatively average cost (around the same as treatment with traditional braces) for orthodontic treatment, there are a few drawbacks to the aligner system at an early age. Firstly, Dr. Ana Castilla says that if your child hasn’t lost all of their baby teeth (full permanent dentition has not yet occurred) and their permanent teeth haven’t come in yet, then they aren’t eligible for Invisalign OR braces. You need to wait until all of your child’s permanent teeth have grown in first. This will usually occur around twelve to thirteen years old, give or take a few years. Secondly, compared to treatment with braces, Invisalign only provides approximately 43% improvement (with braces having 90-95%). Depending on the severity of your child’s case, Invisalign may not be the right method of treatment as it cannot treat certain malocclusions (like crossbites). Make sure that you’re seeing a certified orthodontist for your treatment and not a general dentist, because dentists have not taken the extra education and other steps that orthodontics requires.
Something else to consider is your child’s maturity level. They must be mature enough to remember to wear the aligners for 22 hours of the day, only taking them out to brush, floss, eat, or clean them. If an aligner is lost, the Castilla Orthodontics professionals say that Invisalign Teen will replace it, but there is a limit to how many they can replace. Many offices will replace the first lost set for no charge, but will ask you to pay around $100 for each (double that per whole set). This can be frustrating for all parties because your doctor will need to have the sets made, you will be paying for them, and your child will not be receiving the benefits for as long as they aren’t wearing the aligner.
If you really have your mind set on Invisalign, then good news- there are many reasons as to why clear aligners are a preferred option. Dr. Ana Castilla mentioned that since they’re clear, they are practically invisible. Your child won’t have to worry about peer opinions, and it may be more comfortable for them in social situations. A Castilla Orthodontics associate stated that Invisalign may also be comfortable wear-wise because there aren’t any brackets or wires to poke at their cheeks or lips. They will have an easier time brushing and flossing, improving their dental hygiene. As I mentioned earlier, the cost of Invisalign is similar to that of traditional braces, with the aligner system costing approximately $4,000 to $7,500 and braces costing around $3,000 to $7,000.
Is Invisalign the right direction to go for your child’s orthodontic treatment? Consult with your orthodontist to find out. If you’re seeking an orthodontist near Dallas, OR, then look no further than Dr. Ana Castilla of Castilla Orthodontics. Give them a call at 503.399.0721 to ensure the safety of your child’s bright, beautiful smile today!
