Most of the kids’ permanent teeth erupt crooked that could either be due to incorrect jaw development or some hereditary factors. Crooked teeth have higher chances of getting decay and gingivitis. If your kid is going through the same condition, you must be thinking of their orthodontic treatment.
Most people think of the only option, the traditional metal braces, to correct the alignment. Since the great advancements in orthodontics, you can also get the Invisalign to get the treatment done. But, you might not be sure of Invisalign vs braces? Which one is better for kids?
In this article, we will talk about the two most popular Orthodontic treatments Invisalign vs Braces, their pros and cons for kids, costs, and the working phenomenon to help you evaluate which one stays better for your kid.
Before selecting Invisalign or braces being better for your kids, let’s have a quick overview on how they actually work:
Invisalign is a removable orthodontic device made up of thermoplastic aligner material. Invisalign is one brand of clear aligners known as the “Invisible braces."
Invisalign is fabricated using cutting-edge 3D computer-imaging technology. Each aligner tray in the sequence moves the teeth by applying a controlled force at different parts of the teeth of almost a quarter millimeter. After the current aligners achieve the desired movement, we move to the set of new aligners.
Braces are orthodontic devices made up of metal and are bonded at the surface enamel of the teeth. Once the brackets are attached with the bonding material, the orthodontist maneuvers the arch wire between each bracket, connecting it with colorful O-rings (here is when you can pick up your favorite one). Sometimes, spring and rubber bands are also used to apply more pressure.
The movement in the teeth occurs when the pressure is exerted by the wire constantly on brackets and teeth for a specific period, causing the tooth to loosen from its position, making way for the growth of the new bone, which supports the tooth in its new place for “Bone Remodeling”.
Invisalign offers more advantages to patients regarding appearance and feasibility. But, it is more expensive than traditional braces, costing between $5000 to $8000. At the same time, the braces cost around $4,000 to $7,500, depending on the severity of misalignment, the number of visits, and your area.
The high pricing of Invisalign is due to special premium quality plastic, such as SmartTrack, which is more expensive than other traditional orthodontic materials.
Generally, no one is superior to the other. What makes them better is your kid’s needs, requirements, demands, and lifestyle. Now, we are going to dig into their pros and cons to help you find the suitable option for your kid.
Following are some of the main benefits of Invisalign for kids:
They are virtually invisible, unlike metal braces, making them aesthetically more beneficial for kids. Mostly, younger people love this treatment as people can't see them undergoing orthodontic treatment. With Invisalign, you don't have to worry about looking weird in photos.
As Invisalign retainers are removable, you don't need extra effort while brushing or flossing your teeth. Just remove the device and carry out the oral hygiene practices as you used to do regularly.
Invisalign retainers can be removed to eat food, unlike braces, where there are restrictions over hard and sticky foods. So, you can consume your favorite meal without hesitation.
Since the Invisalign is made up of thermoplastic material, it does not cause any cuts or discomfort as caused by braces.
The need for adjustment is omitted, so you don’t need to visit your Orthodontist regularly. It is only for a few times to keep an eye on the progress.
The Invisalign have the following disadvantages that make them not suitable for some children:
Most people undergoing Invisalign treatment find it difficult to put on and off the device, so the required wearing of Invisalign for 22 hours is not achieved, failing the treatment to produce the desired results.
Due to the soft plastic material, Invisalign must be removed while eating food, or it may cause damage, or get stained easily. However, drinking water doesn’t do any harm.
Daily brushing time may increase while undergoing Invisalign treatment. After every meal, the wearer should remove the device to brush and floss their teeth thoroughly because not doing so can cause bad breath and cavities.
Clear aligners are not well suited for complex orthodontic treatment needs of kids. They are more suitable for correcting minor tooth straightening.
Traditional braces are better than Invisalign in the following aspect:
Traditional Braces for kids provides a wide range of treatment to correct all kinds of cross bite, deep bites, crowding, spacing, and overbites. Braces attach to each tooth firmly, giving it more strength than Invisalign.
Braces are devices attached permanently to the tooth surface, hence removing them before eating, ensuring they last for 20 hours daily is unnecessary. Braces can only be removed by the Orthodontist and is generally a safer option for kids from this aspect.
Unlike Invisalign, which is soft and heat-sensitive, it has no limitations. Braces don’t stain and are heat resistant, so the wearer can drink all types of beverages, including tea, at any time of day without worrying about the unintentional removal or possible staining.
Following are some of the cons of traditional metal braces that doesn’t let them become the first choice for a lot of kids:
Since the Braces consist of Metal brackets and wires, others quickly notice them whenever the wearer opens their mouth. Hence, aesthetics are compromised.
The brackets and wires of traditional braces are more prone to the injuries, especially in kids who are indulged in contact sports. So, it is highly recommended for kids to wear mouth guards during such activities.
Some food like gum, candy, and hard items are stuck between the Braces or can even break the wires and brackets, so they need to be avoided.
Orthodontists arrange multiple visits of your kids to their clinics to perform regular adjustments of the braces and monitor the progress.
You should select the one that fits best for your children. Like if your kid plays contact sports or is more concerned about aesthetics, it is better to go with the Invisalign. But, if you want something that could deal with the severe teeth misalignment and is less costly, traditional metal braces are a much better fit.
No matter what you select, your only focus should be transforming your kid’s beautiful smile for a lifetime to help them live a better life by improving oral hygiene and boosting their self-confidence!
© Memorial Children's Dentistry 2024
All Rights Reserved | Privacy Policy
