While it is never too late to get braces, the younger you are when you start, the easier the treatment will be. As we get older, our bones become less malleable, meaning orthodontic treatment can take longer and cause greater discomfort. If you have a child whose permanent teeth are growing in with issues like crowding, gaps, or impactions, you may be wondering how soon orthodontic treatment can begin. Read on to find out how early you can begin treatment with braces – and how early children can be treated with Invisalign braces – straight from the knowledgeable team at ZDental.

How Early Can You Get Braces?

While there is no firm minimum age to begin treatment with braces, it is best to wait until most of the permanent teeth have already grown in. This occurs around age 7 for most people. Dentists recommend consulting with an orthodontic specialist no later than age 7 so they can identify any potential issues and develop a treatment plan.

Are Invisalign Braces Right for Kids?

Again, there is no minimum age when treatment with Invisalign can begin, but each patient should be considered individually. Invisalign braces can be more effective and provide shorter treatment times for some patients, but they also come with a great deal of responsibility. Invisalign aligners must be worn for at least 22 hours per day to provide effective treatment. Because they can be removed, some kids may be more likely to take out their aligners when they are at school or in other situations where you can’t monitor them.

Invisalign braces also need to be cleaned regularly, and they can potentially break during rough play. If you are considering Invisalign for your child, you must consider whether they will be responsible enough to keep their aligners clean and safe from damage or loss. You must also consider whether they will wear them reliably, even during periods of discomfort.

If your child has trouble keeping to a schedule or taking good care of their belongings, they may not be prepared for the responsibility of wearing Invisalign aligners. In these cases, traditional metal braces may be the best choice for them. Certain conditions may also require metal braces, so be sure you and your child discuss the matter with your orthodontist and consider all your options.

Expert Dental Care in New Jersey and the Philadelphia Area

Choosing the right type of braces for your child is an important decision, so it’s important that you get the best advice possible from a dental care team you can trust. For residents of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, that team is ZDental. We have 7 different locations near Philadelphia and throughout New Jersey, so get in touch with us if you need a dentist in Trenton or anywhere else nearby.

Visit our contact page to find a list of our dental clinics and call or request an appointment online today! We can assist you with Invisalign braces, as well as a range of other dental treatments, including cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, and more. We also provide emergency dentistry services, so call us right away if you lose a tooth or receive any other type of serious mouth injury.