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Should My Child Get Invisalign or Braces?

Should My Child Get Invisalign or Braces? After consulting with a dental clinic near you, you might have found out that your child’s teeth are coming in crooked or their jaw is slightly misaligned. To avoid discomfort in chewing or talking or dental hygiene problems, you might have decided orthodontics are in order, sooner rather than later. Unfortunately, deciding your child requires orthodontics isn’t the only decision you will be required to make. With various forms and orthodontics models tailored to each unique situation, we wanted to outline the differences between traditional braces and Invisalign in St. Albert. Doing so will ensure you are equipped with the right information to answer the age-old question, “should my child get Invisalign or braces?”

Braces

Metal braces are known as traditional orthodontic dentistry and are likely the most well-known method used to straighten teeth. Braces are mounted straight to each tooth and use constant friction to move the teeth into alignment. Braces are added to the teeth utilizing dental cement or bonding and are typically worn from 6 months to 3 years. However, the length of time depends on your child and how much teeth are expected to move. Metal braces are typically ideal since children “can’t take them on and off,” which can increase the treatment’s total amount of time. Braces are also a tried and true method for a beautiful smile. Just ask Gwen Stefani! Braces can also be customized with different colours to keep things fun. The only drawbacks to metal braces are minor discomfort from rubbing the braces against your child’s cheeks (this typically only lasts for a few days), avoiding hard or crunchy food and careful brushing to maintain dental hygiene and the requirement of a mouthguard when playing sports.

Invisalign

Invisalign is a nearly invisible braces alternative that has continued to grow in popularity since the late 1990s. Clear braces are nearly invisible and can be removed for eating and dental hygiene. Its invisibility attributes give it an advantage since children can be confident with their smile without worrying about metal bands’ appearance. Invisalign also is known to be more comfortable and requires shorter appointments than metal braces. This is because each appointment typically consists of replacing a tray that has been mapped out by a 3-D computer imaging technology, whereas metal braces require wire replacements. Although Invisalign might sound too good to be true, they are not the ideal solution for every child. One reason is that children must wear Invisalign aligners between 20-22 hours a day and need to be replaced with chewing, drinking, and brushing the teeth. For children, who don’t have the best memory, this can be detrimental for treatment as failing to wear Invisalign for the recommended hours will not give the treatment enough time to work. Aligners can also be easily lost if a child forgets to put them back in after eating. Additionally, Invisalign might not be a suitable solution for more complex or difficult alignment or bite cases. In this case, metal braces are often recommended to deliver faster treatment. To put it simply, Invisalign can be a great alternative to traditional braces if your child is responsible and is cooperative in wearing their aligners.

Making the Decision

As you continue your search for Invisalign near you, we advise you to contact your family dentist or orthodontist. Your family dentist in St. Albert will be able to make a better recommendation using the information listed above, in addition to your child’s teeth, diet and goals. At Erin Ridge Dental, we are excited to be part of the journey to a perfect smile. For a personalized consultation, we encourage you to contact us today!