Invisalign or Braces: Which is Better for Your Child?

For parents it may not really matter which one your child gets, just as long as it is covered by the insurance. But nowadays kids worry greatly about their appearance. With invisalign however comes a lot more responsibility, and there is a difference in the cost. This article helps to highlight some of the pros and cons of both.

The greatest attribute of Invisalign is that they are invisible and they will not be seen by others. Although some children do end up talking a little differently until they get used to them. Another good thing about Invisalign is that you do not have to go in for new wires and a routine basis, like you would have to with braces. It also depends on how severe your child’s teeth are. Your orthodontist will more than likely recommend which they feel is best, but the final decision will be left up to you as the parent. In severe cases it may also still mean that you will have to have some teeth removed.

According to several orthodontists Invisalighn works best on patients who have been through treatment in the past and never used the retainers they were given. They help to extrude teeth and close spaces after you have had an extraction. For some Invisalighn may just not work and after trying them your child may still have to end up wearing the braces. The down side of Invisalign is that your orthodontist will not have any control as they would with braces.

When it comes to braces and the pain factor, all your teeth will be very tender or even hurt each time you have your wires changes. This will usually last for a couple of days. With Invisalign aligners your orthodontist will want to change your aligners every two weeks and each time you will probably have more soreness. Also with Invisalign there is a risk of staining depending on what you eat.

Another option that many people may not think about is porcelain brackets. But this may not be something that you want for your children, since they are a little easier to break. As the concerned parent you should really take the time to talk with your child and go over all the options that were given to you by the orthodontist. After you see what your child is most comfortable with, you can weigh the pros and cons and then make a decision.

Remember you will want to take into consideration, how much pain they will have to experience and how important their looks are to them. There are also several websites that you and your child can look at together to help you make your decision. Some of these websites are www.kidshealth.org, www.1stbraces.com, www.braces.org, to name just a few. Also keep in mind that each person is different and what might have worked well for your neighbors children or your relatives kids may not work with your children. The best thing to do before making any decisions is to do your research.