At What Age Can A General Dentist Administer Invisalign To Patients?

Clear aligners like Invisalign® give patients a discreet way to straighten their teeth. This is one of the many reasons why these clear aligners are popular with teenagers who want to keep their treatment under the radar. Adolescence causes young people to care about their appearance, which is why Invisalign® is a great option.

Invisalign® aligners are also popular with adults who do not want to deal with having a mouth that is full of metal wires and brackets.

Straightening teeth with clear aligners requires patients to be committed to their treatment. Anyone disciplined enough to wear their Invisalign® aligners for at least 20 hours each day is old enough for the treatment, however, it is up to a general dentist to decide who is a good candidate. At the start of treatment, the patient gets several aligners trays that progressively push their teeth towards a better position. Each tray is worn for about two weeks before being swapped with another that pushes their teeth closer to the target position.

Straightening teeth with Invisalign® clears aligners

Here are some important things parents should know when trying to decide if clear aligners are the best option for their children:

1. Younger children and clear aligners

Children who have lost all of their baby teeth are eligible for treatment with clear aligners, so long as a general dentist clears it. The permanent teeth do not have to be fully grown for teeth straightening treatment to start. Clear aligners can be effectively used to straighten teeth that are only partially erupted. In such cases, the general dentist will design fillers into the patient's aligners so treatment remains effective as teeth continue to grow.

It is up to parents to determine if the child has the commitment and discipline needed to wear Invisalign aligners as recommended by a dentist.

2. Teens and clear aligners

Invisalign® has a product line that is made specifically for teenagers and pre-teens. It is an effective way to address orthodontic issues and it comes with compliance indicator dots that allow parents to monitor the teen's commitment to the treatment.

3. Adults and clear aligners

Invisalign clear aligners allow adults to straighten their teeth without having to make too many changes to their daily routine. It provides discreet treatment, helping patients to avoid embarrassing questions and stares from their colleagues.

Clear aligners are commonly used to fix issues like:

• Spaces between teeth
• Mild to moderate crowding
• Overbites
• Underbites
• Crossbites

People who plan to get treatment with clear aligners should also be committed to oral hygiene. Clear aligners limit saliva's ability to coat and clean teeth, increasing the risk of decay. This can be prevented by cleaning the mouth before inserting clear aligners.

Get straighter teeth

Interested in Invisalign? There are a lot of benefits to this type of treatment, which both adults and teenagers can make use of, depending on a general dentist's recommendation. Reach out today to learn more or to get started!

Request an appointment here: https://brimhalldentalgroup.com or call Brimhall Dental Group at (661) 249-1122 for an appointment in our Bakersfield office.

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