Invisalign
Why start Invisalign for kids early?
Dentists increasingly suggest starting orthodontic treatment earlier rather than waiting for the teenage years. Dr Alexia Kwan gives six reasons parents consider Invisalign First for children aged six to ten.
Advice on starting Invisalign for children
Many parents assume orthodontic treatment should wait until the teenage years. Dental opinion has shifted, and there can be advantages to starting earlier while a child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth. Two questions parents often ask are whether clear aligners suit children better than traditional braces, and from what age a child can begin Invisalign First.
Dr Alexia Kwan, a director and senior dental surgeon at Align Dental Surgery, was interviewed on this topic for a feature on Expat Living written by Georgina Hockley. In her view, the assumption that orthodontic treatment should wait until adolescence can overlook an earlier window to guide facial development and oral health from around the age of six.
Invisalign is a clear alternative to metal braces. It straightens teeth without brackets or wires, using a series of clear, custom-made, removable aligners, and Invisalign First is the version designed for children. The points below set out why parents consider it.
You can begin earlier than many parents expect
Starting early gives the dentist a chance to identify and address structural issues while the jaw is still developing. According to Dr Kwan, treatment for children aged six to ten can support jaw development and is well timed for a mix of baby and permanent teeth. The custom-fit aligners are made for growing mouths and can help create the right conditions for permanent teeth to come through.
It can reduce the need for complex treatment later
Dr Kwan explains that Invisalign First can help reduce crowding, guide jaw growth and create space for permanent teeth to erupt. In her view this can lower the chance of needing more involved treatment as the child gets older, lead to simpler final corrections, and reduce the likelihood of tooth extraction.
Treatment can be more efficient
Clear aligners can mean fewer orthodontic visits. Dr Kwan notes that children often benefit from quicker treatment, reaching a straighter smile and improved oral health sooner.
It supports natural speech
Speech depends in part on where the tongue rests against the front teeth, and misalignment or gaps can contribute to a lisp. Parents sometimes worry that orthodontic treatment will affect how their child speaks. Dr Kwan notes that fixed braces can affect speech at first, whereas the aligners are designed to let children keep their natural speech patterns while their teeth are corrected.
It can improve appearance and confidence
Crooked teeth can make some children self-conscious about smiling. Dr Kwan describes Invisalign as a discreet option that straightens teeth without the bulky look of fixed braces, which can help a child's confidence.
It tends to be more comfortable than fixed braces
A common question from parents is whether Invisalign is painful for children. Dr Kwan considers it more comfortable than traditional braces: the aligners move teeth in gradual stages, which limits discomfort during the adjustment period, and the absence of protruding wires means fewer mouth ulcers.
About Dr Alexia Kwan
Dr Alexia Kwan is a director and senior dental surgeon at Align Dental Surgery, with a particular interest in Invisalign for children. She also works in implants, wisdom tooth surgery and cosmetic dentistry such as veneers, crowns and bridges, and offers general dentistry for adults and children.
She is a certified Invisalign provider, having gained Invisalign certification in 2016 and completed The Aligner Intensive Fellowship led by orthodontists Dr Moshiri and Nicozisis in 2019, with mentoring under international coaches.
Find out more
This guidance is drawn from a feature on Expat Living, written by Georgina Hockley, for which Dr Alexia Kwan was interviewed. The full feature is published on Expat Living. If you are weighing the options, Align Dental Surgery also has a guide comparing Invisalign and traditional braces.
Questions & answers
Common questions
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Are clear aligners better than traditional braces for children?
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