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Invisalign First is a treatment plan created by Align Technology that targets young children and their growing teeth. While Align Technology is known for developing clear liners that adults more commonly use, this treatment was designed to straighten and protect the teeth of young children to prevent dental problems in the future. The treatment helps expand the patient’s jawline to open up space for incoming teeth but also helps prepare the child for phase 2 of Invisalign treatment if necessary. Children can begin Invisalign First from as young as 6 years to up to 10 years of age. The total cost of this treatment can vary between 2000 dollars up to 7000 dollars depending on the patient’s dental status. Invisalign First is designed to take anywhere from 6-18 months to complete the treatment.
To see if the child qualifies for the Invisalign First treatment, the patient must first set up a consultation with their dentist or orthodontist. The child will be given x-rays and intra-oral scans to determine how severe the patient’s condition may be. Once the treatment has begun, the child will be given a customized aligner that will expand the jawline gradually through dental arch expansion. By doing so, the device gently adds pressure to the teeth, which expands the dental arch and creates more space for incoming teeth and guides the shift from baby to adult teeth, and ensures a straighter and healthier smile. The aligner is switched out every month to ensure that the teeth are shifting in place. Varying on the patient's condition, they may only need one aligner while others may need a full set.
Invisalign First has many great advantages with its treatment to help improve a child’s smile. The device itself is customized to the patient’s mouth to ensure effectiveness and comfortability. The treatment also guides children to stop tedious thumb sucking, biting, and tongue thrusting. It also opens up space in the mouth to welcome new teeth and prevent crowding and other oral issues affecting the child’s smile. Since Invisalign First is the earliest phase of teeth straightening, a head start may prevent any later treatments with Invisalign or may reduce the amount of work required to be done in phase 2.
If the child is also on a Mandibular device treatment plan to help reduce sleep apnea, they have no problem using Invisalign First as both treatments are compatible. The device is also flexible and comfortable enough to allow children to eat, drink, brush their teeth, and cleans properly. A parent’s main concern is the possibility that their child may lose their device. While aligners can be replaced, they can set back treatment and make a dent in their pocket to replace. Parents and children have to be responsible and cautious to prevent this from happening; other than that, the treatment is a smooth process.
While both the Invisalign First and normal Invisalign devices are products of Align Technology, their process is quite different. Invisalign First was specifically designed to target the oral cavities of young patients from ages 6-10. The technique used in this treatment most commonly expands the jaw for incoming adult teeth. It is modified to grow with the child to ensure a straighter and healthier smile.
On the other hand, Normal Invisalign treatment is typically used in teens and adults who already have their adult teeth and will no longer be growing new ones. This can also be known as Phase 2 of the Invisalign treatment plans. While a child’s treatment is designed to expand the jaw, phase 2 treatments are more likely designed to straighten a patient’s teeth without changing at a constant speed since adult teeth don’t grow back again for the most part. However, both treatments are very effective and easy to use.
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