What’s the Best Age to Use Invisalign?

Invisalign is an alternative to traditional metal braces.  It is a series of computer designed, removable trays custom-made for your mouth. The trays are made of smooth, comfortable plastic and are virtually invisible.  You wear these trays over your teeth to help with dental problems such as crowding, overbites, underbites and gapping between teeth. Depending on your problem, you may wear invisalign for approximately eight to eighteen months.  Once your dentist assesses your teeth, she will let you know if invisalign will work for you and estimate how long you would need to wear the trays. Clients using Invisalign will eat comfortably, enjoy the food they like, maintain better oral health and experience less irritation of gums and cheeks than they would if choosing traditional braces.  Invisalign is a great alternative for those who do not want the discomfort or appearance of metal braces!

What is the youngest age at which you can use Invisalign?

There is no definite youngest age at which Invisalign may be used.  Each patient’s mouth is unique. Rather than age, it is the condition of the client’s mouth that is most important. The following conditions must occur before Invisalign may be used with a patient.

• Loss of all baby teeth
• The eruption of all permanent incisors and first molars (wisdom teeth do not need to have come in as the trays can leave space for them)
• No significant tooth decay or damage
• Mature enough to comply with treatment requirements (usually the trays must be worn for 22 or more hours per day)

If these conditions exist, a child as young as 11 or 12 years of age may seek treatment with Invisalign! To determine whether Invisalign would work for your child, schedule a visit with your dentist.

What is the oldest age at which you can use Invisalign?

You are never too old to benefit from treatment with Invisalign.  Patients in their eighties have been happy satisfied users! Bone density, not age, is the factor that determines effectiveness of the procedure.  Your dentist can check to ensure that you have sufficient bone density to undergo treatment.

Patients of all ages have been satisfied with the experience and end result of using Invisalign. Discuss with your dentist the possibility of using Invisalign for your child or yourself.  Perfect timing for Invisalign varies with each child as each mouth is different. There really is no upper age limit for Invisalign.

If you are interested in Invisalign treatment for your child or yourself, call Centennial Smile at (587) 317-7959.