Yes, kids can use Invisalign, too!

“Invisalign is suitable for children of any age, as long as they have teeth,” says Dr Lee, who has been using Invisalign on her young patients for quite some time now. In fact, she’s used it on kids as young as five years old to correct cases that would otherwise have required bulky expansion devices followed by top and bottom braces over a long period of time, and cases in which many orthodontists would have even extracted teeth – something she tries to avoid at all costs.

“In my opinion, Invisalign is now the most technologically advanced, time-efficient and predictable way to transform smiles. Invisalign has taken over the role of both expanders and braces, making it possible to do more in a shorter amount of time, thanks to digital technology,” says Dr Lee. “Invisalign can move teeth in a certain way without having to take teeth out, which conventional braces cannot do. This makes it possible for teeth crowding and malocclusions to be fixed without extraction.”

What’s more, Invisalign can be used even if a child is still losing his or her baby teeth. Using x-rays, Dr Lee says she can anticipate when a child’s baby teeth will fall out and plan for it accordingly. (“The x-rays let you see the future!” she laughs.)

And the benefits don’t stop there. Apart from the added self-confidence that the removable, clear aligners can provide, little ones and older kids alike can benefit from the comfort and cleanliness that Invisalign offers.

“The lack of brackets and wires means no painful rubbing and no food entrapment,” says Dr Lee. “Better oral health and hygiene can also be maintained since teeth can be brushed and flossed in the normal way, and you can eat what you want without worrying about brushing right after every single meal.”