Invisible braces for children

Treatment with Invisalign braces is also a very popular, innovative and modern orthodontic procedure for children. Invisalign treatment can help to correct misalignments at an early age and so avoid the effort of later orthodontic treatment in advance. In addition, the transparent plastic aligners offer your child unrestricted comfort during treatment while meeting the highest standards of facial aesthetics.

Does my child need braces?

So that dysfunctions cannot cause misalignments of the teeth and/or jaws, Invisalign treatment can be used in young patients as early as the first phase of early (interceptive) treatment: the earlier a misaligned tooth is detected, the better the start of treatment can be timed. If in doubt, always seek an expert opinion.

When does treatment begin?

When treatment starts depends on the patient’s individual situation. To determine the optimal time, a first check-up in the last year of kindergarten is recommended. Treatment for children who still have baby (primary) teeth is carried out only to provide the best possible conditions for the permanent teeth to come through. Correcting severe misalignments of individual teeth early can avoid surgical procedures later on. A misalignment of the jaw caused, for example, by oral habits (thumb-sucking, dummy) should therefore definitely be treated or corrected in childhood.

Checklist:

When does Invisalign treatment make sense for children?

• to guide the growth of the facial and jaw bones
• to prevent incorrect tongue positions
• to create enough space for the permanent teeth that are on their way
• when dysfunctions are to be treated early

Possible misalignments

The malocclusions listed below can occur in children on their own or in combination with one another. If malocclusions are treated in good time, before growth is complete, later surgery can often be avoided. Invisalign treatment has proven clinically effective in treating malocclusions and can be used for simple to complicated tooth corrections.

Gaps between the teeth (spacing)

Missing teeth and gaps between the teeth often significantly affect not only appearance, but also the function of the teeth and the bite.

Possible consequences:

• functional problems (problems biting into food)
• Receding gums
• Gum pockets
• Teeth drifting

Crossbite

A crossbite means that one or more upper back teeth bite on the inside of the lower back teeth. A crossbite can occur on one side or on both sides.

Possible consequences:

• Jaw joint (TMJ) problems
• Gum disease
• Bone loss
• Tooth abrasion
• asymmetrical face

Open bite

With an open bite, the front teeth of the upper and lower jaw do not touch each other even when the teeth are closed together. An open bite can also occur at the sides. In extreme forms, only the very back molars touch when biting.

Possible consequences:

• Missing and/or painful biting and chewing function
• Jaw joint problems
• Wear of the teeth
• temporomandibular disorder (TMD)
• negative effects on speech
• visible change in the shape of the face due to an "elongation" of the lower jaw

Underbite (forward position of the lower jaw)

An underbite can impair the normal function of the incisors or molars.

Possible consequences:

• Tooth wear
• painful jaw and joint problems
• impaired facial aesthetics

How does Invisalign work?

Invisalign treatment offers many advantages that are specially tailored to the orthodontic needs of growing children: the transparent Invisalign aligners made of lightweight plastic are individually fitted to the child’s teeth and create space for the teeth that are still coming through. Invisalign allows the jaws to catch up in their development, which enlarges the space inside the mouth so that the tongue has more room and can take up its correct position. In this way, tongue dysfunctions are prevented before they arise.

And best of all: Invisalign is almost invisible, which can give children greater self-confidence and higher self-esteem during treatment. The Invisalign aligners are removable, so your child can carry on leading a completely normal life. During treatment, your child can continue their normal oral hygiene and their usual activities (such as eating, drinking, playing sport or playing a wind instrument).

Advantages of Invisalign treatment compared with classic "bracket" treatment:

• greater self-confidence and self-esteem
• individual fit to the child’s teeth
• transparent and modern: almost invisible correction of the teeth
• no bothersome wires or uncomfortable metal brackets that can cause irritation or allergies on the
• gums or in the mouth
• hardly any restrictions in everyday life
• optimal oral health because the aligners are taken out for eating and oral hygiene
• hardly any pain or tension thanks to moderate pressure
• no effect on speech
• better periodontal conditions
• Greatly reduced risk of decalcification
• minimal to no emergencies, no injuries to or inflammation of the mucous membranes
• less pain for the patient when changing aligners than when the wire of fixed braces is changed
• no restrictions on sport or playing wind instruments
• fewer check-ups

How long does treatment take?

In general, treatment in the primary and mixed dentition takes between 12 and 18 months.

Does the Invisalign aligner have to be worn every day?

Yes, absolutely. The removable brace must be worn consistently for 22 hours a day to achieve the desired result.

Cost of braces for children

Typical orthodontic treatment is affordable in monthly instalments. The cost of orthodontic treatment depends on the patient’s individual needs and cannot be fixed precisely in advance because of the complexity and the differing amount of work involved. Most orthodontists are generally guided by the autonomous fee guidelines of the Vienna Dental Chamber. You’ll receive precise information at an initial consultation.