Invisalign® is a convenient, effective and virtually invisible treatment for straightening teeth that appeals to both adults and children. While people of all ages have been treated with Invisalign®, many people wonder at what age a child should start Invisalign® treatment.
Requirements for Starting Invisalign® Treatments
With Invisalign® treatment, it’s more about meeting certain conditions than being a certain age.
Before a child or adolescent can begin Invisalign® treatment, there are certain criteria that must be met. Here are the conditions that must occur before you can begin treatment with Invisalign®:
- Loss of all first teeth (baby teeth)
- Eruption of all permanent incisors and first molars
- Wisdom teeth (second and third molars) do not need to have erupted yet – Invisalign® trays can allocate space for these teeth to come in
- There should be no significant tooth decay or damage to the teeth
- The patient must be mature enough to comply with treatment (aligning trays must be worn 24 hours per day, every day, or the treatment will not work)
Treatment with Invisalign® may be indicated for patients as young as eleven or twelve, depending upon whether or not the patient has met the criteria above. Each case is different. In general, girls will most likely be ready for Invisalign® treatment before boys because they typically mature faster than boys.
How to Know If You’re a Candidate for Invisalign®
To determine whether or not you are a candidate for Invisalign® treatment, the patient’s mouth will need to be x-rayed. This will determine the position of all teeth, and it will also determine how much space is needed for remaining teeth to erupt past the gum line.
Invisalign® Treatment for Adults
If you are an adult seeking Invisalign® treatment, you may worry that you have waited too long to seek treatment. If you are older, it is bone density, not age, that will determine whether or not you are a candidate for treatment. Since older people tend to have problems with bone density, some teeth may present problems while other teeth move very easily. Some older patients find that they may have to wear their trays for a longer period of time as an adult.
To learn more about Invisalign® treatments, contact us for more information or to schedule a consultation. Wright Orthodontics has two convenient locations to serve you in Atlanta and Marietta, Georgia. As always, your initial consultation at Wright Orthodontics is offered free of charge with no hidden fees.
