So your child needs orthodontic treatment, but you’re both having trouble deciding between braces or Invisalign®. We’re familiar with this dilemma! So let’s talk more about each option and your child’s preferences.
A common concern we hear from kids is having a “brace face” throughout treatment. In fact, 41% of teens think it’s embarrassing to wear braces! But aren’t braces highly-effective at straightening teeth and isn’t Invisalign expensive? We know you want to make the best decision for your child’s health while also staying within your budget so we’re here to support you with the facts.
Here’s a few tips for deciding between braces vs Invisalign treatment for your child.
Are braces “better” than Invisalign?
First of all, no one treatment option is “better” than the other overall. Both braces and Invisalign are effective treatment options depending on the patient’s orthodontic conditions to give them a beautiful, healthy smile. At the end of the day, it all comes down to which one your family decides on based on your orthodontist’s recommendations. That being said, we’ve got a few tips for choosing the best orthodontic treatment option for your child.
Tip #1: Understand your child’s orthodontic condition(s)
At your child’s first orthodontic exam, our highly-experienced orthodontist will examine your child’s teeth and bite to determine which conditions are affecting their smile. Your child may have one, two, or more orthodontic issues responsible for their malocclusion (bad bite), this is common!
While many orthodontic problems require a trained orthodontist’s eyes to detect, others are pretty obvious to parents and kids alike. Common orthodontic problems such as crowded teeth, crooked teeth, spacing or gaps, and some bite conditions, like overbite and underbite, can be noticeable. And these conditions can happen when unhealthy teeth or jaw development occurs like losing a tooth too early, or just from genetics!
Dr. Senties loves to talk about everything orthodontics so be sure to ask him any questions or concerns you may have about your child’s orthodontic conditions or the treatments offered to your child. He makes time during every exam to make sure you and your child leave your first visit feeling comfortable and informed.
Tip #2: Evaluate your child’s lifestyle and personality
As parents, you know your child best! We encourage families to talk over each treatment option together and listen to your child’s concerns or hesitations. A few questions to consider during your chat are:
- Do they have concerns about their appearance? If your child is already a little self-conscious about their looks, consider the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign vs braces for teenagers, as Invisalign is a more discreet option.
- Is your child more enthusiastic about one treatment above all others? It’s important to consider your child’s preferences. You want them to feel comfortable and motivated during treatment so they can get to their dream smile and learn some responsibility along the way!
- What’s their level of responsibility or maturity? Considering your child’s ability to follow instructions and maintain proper oral hygiene is extremely important when deciding between braces or Invisalign for younger kids.
- What extra dental products will your child need for life with braces or Invisalign? With braces, your child will need a floss threader, Super Floss, or an orthodontic flosser to help them floss around their wires and brackets. With Invisalign, your child will need an extra soft-toothbrush to clean and disinfect their aligners daily.
- What is your budget? Affordability is an important factor to consider when making any financial decision, but we make it easy at Senties Family Orthodontics as we offer a variety of discounts and flexible payment plans!
Tip #3: Consider all the braces vs Invisalign pros and cons
As with everything there’s pros and cons to different orthodontic treatment options too! Here’s a helpful list of the advantages and disadvantages to each that can be helpful when deciding between braces or Invisalign for your 12 year old or younger.
Traditional braces
Traditional metal braces are high-quality metal alloy brackets cemented to your teeth with dental glue. These brackets are threaded together by an archwire and secured using elastics (tiny rubber bands for braces). We also offer clear ceramic braces for a less noticeable treatment option too!
Pros of metal braces
- Highly-effective at treating all orthodontic problems. Braces can help fix your teen’s bite and can eliminate crowding, spacing, cross bites, overbite, and underbite!
- Your child can personalize their braces with colors. Teens can choose from our wide variety of rubber band colors – go for a bold, fashion statement or a subtle monochrome look!
Cons of metal braces
- Higher risk of orthodontic emergencies. Braces brackets and wires can be prone to bend or break, especially if your teen eats things he/she is not supposed to! For teens that play sports, Dr. Senties always recommends wearing a mouthguard to protect their smile (even if they don’ t have braces on) ,yet accidents can still happen off the field.
- Restrictive diet. Hard, crunchy, sticky foods are off the table for your child with braces. Your teens’ brackets can crack and break under the pressure exerted by these types of foods! Sticky foods are also difficult to clean from brackets and causes the dental cement to loosen or detach from braces brackets.
Invisalign clear aligners
Invisalign® is a discreet alternative to traditional metal braces! Kids and teens can now straighten their teeth without feeling self-conscious. Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign clear aligners are clear and removable.
Here’s a few pros for choosing Invisalign.
- Invisalign is almost invisible. Teens can live their social lives and smile confidently without hiding their smile; Invisalign is less noticeable when in place.
- Invisalign is removable. Remove your clear aligners to eat, brush your teeth, floss your teeth, clean your aligners, whiten your teeth or temporarily replace them with a mouthguard. Store them in your carrying case, then rinse them out and pop them back in when you’re done!
- Invisalign is comfortable. Invisalign trays are custom-designed for each smile. Your aligners are literally made for you, your perfect match!
- No dietary restrictions. Your teen’s favorite foods are still on the table! Invisalign doesn’t require any dietary restrictions; simply remove your aligners to eat and place them back in after.
Cons of choosing Invisalign for your child.
- Smile results depend on compliance. With Invisalign, kids and teens have to be committed to wearing their trays for 20-22 hours a day. If your child is not dedicated to their Invisalign treatment, their dream smile is at risk and they will need additional aligners, or refinement treatment!
- Your child should have a strong oral hygiene routine. With Invisalign, your child will need to brush their teeth and gums after every meal, floss once a day, and clean their Invisalign trays once a day.
- Aligners can get lost. Because Invisalign aligners are removable, they can be easily lost if not placed in a carrying case.
Choose a treatment that fits your child!
No matter the orthodontic treatment your family decides on – braces or Invisalign – you’re helping your child a beautiful smile that will last a lifetime and helping boost their self-confidence and improving their oral health!
Please don’t hesitate to reach out to us with any questions! We love to hear from you. At your child’s first visit, our experienced orthodontists will craft a custom treatment and payment plan 100% for your child and you!
If you’re looking for a top orthodontist in San Antonio, request a complimentary exam with Dr. Senties for your child today!
