If you are wondering why Invisalign® treatment is only recommended for older teens and adults there are a few different reasons. There is no stigma for children to wear braces. One of the major benefits of Invisalign® treatment, especially for adults, is that they are virtually unnoticeable, and therefore adults who wish to have their teeth straightened need not be embarrassed by metal brackets ad wires. Also, Invisalign® treatment is not for every case of misalignment. You must keep in mind that Invisalign® is mostly for minor cases of misalignment, not extreme cases. Also, Invisalign® requires a level of maturity to comply with the treatment.

Maturity Level

While Invisalign® treatment is beneficial to many, it is not for everyone. A child’s maturity level and ability to comply with treatment are a major factor. Invisalign® aligners must be worn 22 hours a day. If you take them out and forget to put them back in, or choose not to put them back in, the treatment will not be successful. If you decide that you will wear them to school or work, but not to social events, or not on weekends, treatment will not be successful. The treatment is designed so you can remove the aligners to eat and brush and floss your teeth, but if they are not worn the prescribed amount of time they will not work.

Also, it is not unknown for a child to misplace a retainer. In fact, it has been known for an adolescent to have accidentally thrown their retainer away with their McDonald wrappers! And because Invisalign® aligners are clear, a level of maturity to wear them, and take care of them is a prerequisite for Invisalign® treatment.

Wondering If Your Child Is Old Enough For Invisalign® Treatment?

If you’re wondering if your child is old enough for Invisalign® treatment, schedule a consultation with Dr. Huffstutler.  Together you can discuss your child’s options based on their age, maturity level, and more. Call his Fort Worth, TX, office today at 817-918-3038!