Invisalign is a quickly growing alternative to traditional braces. Imagine, if you will, a set of braces that cannot be seen. That is the major selling point of Invisalign. From teens to adults, the craze of a perfect smile without the stigma of being called “metal mouth” is very appealing. Invisalign costs around the same as a pair of regular braces and allows you to eat a greater variety of foods. They require a few simple cleanings every day, and can be taken out and put back in. And unlike braces, Invisalign require only about 20 hours of use – rather than the 24/7 hours of use with traditional metal braces. Plus, braces can’t be taken out and often cause sores and pain from the various metal parts, much worse than the minimal discomfort of Invisalign aligners. With all of these benefits, many parents wonder if pre-teens in Kansas City, MO can get Invisalign!

For adults and teens, Invisalign won’t affect self-esteem by correcting your smile without people even noticing, unlike metal braces which are often associated with being “embarrassing” or “ugly”. Teens and pre-teens greatly benefit from getting Invisalign VS getting braces according to H2O Orthodontics. Self-esteem is critical for developing children, especially teens who are constantly under a variety of educational and social stressors. For adults, the real appeal of Invisalign is the freedom to eat, drink, and avoid being gossip material at the water cooler. It is no wonder, then, that Invisalign is becoming more and more popular, especially at Dr. Heidi Harman’s office in Kansas City, MO.

But what about children with dental issues before the teenage years? They too are put under educational and social stressors. Which brings us to the question, can pre-teens get Invisalign too? Unfortunately, there is no yes or no answer. Ultimately, it is the answer of the pre-teen’s dentist or orthodontist. Invisalign is generally safe for developing pre-teens and the tooth placement lasts a very long time. With a consultation from Dr. Harman and the team at H2O Orthodontics, you and your child will be able to determine whether or not Invisalign in Kansas City, MO will fill your needs.

What does Invisalign have to say about their product on pre-teens? The website doesn’t mention Invisalign for pre-teens, but after a quick message to Invisalign, they responded that as long as the pre-teen has a fully developed set of teeth, Invisalign can be used. A physical mouth checkup and X-rays from H2O Orthodontics will give you an answer as to whether or not Invisalign is possible for your pre-teen at this point in time.

The biggest challenge, assuming your pre-teen is qualified for Invisalign, is to make sure they understand and follow through with the Invisalign trays. For some pre-teens, it is easy to follow instructions at home, but in school it is possible your child may forget some of the responsibilities that come with the trays. According to Dr. Harman, a common problem with pre-teens is forgetting to take the trays out before eating or not wearing the trays for an appropriate amount of time per day, which can extend and restrict treatment. Make sure your child understands and follows all instructions from your dentist or orthodontist.

To summarize, Invisalign works well for adults and teens, but only a professional, such as Dr. Heidi Harman of H2O Orthodontics in Kansas City, MO, can decide whether or not your pre-teen qualifies for Invisalign treatment. Invisalign can be a huge responsibility, but with proper discipline your pre-teen will have a great set of straight teeth they can treasure forever without the hassle of traditional metal braces. To learn more or to set up an appointment with Dr. Harman, call us today at 913-782-7223!