Invisalign for Kids in London:
Invisible Braces for Your Child's Smile

Invisalign for kids is the most comfortable, discreet, and flexible way to straighten your child’s teeth and support the healthy development of their jaws. Unlike braces for kids, which are fixed to the teeth, Invisalign aligners are removable, allowing your child to engage in sports safely and continue with their everyday routines with minimal disruption.

Schedule your child for their initial Invisalign assessment today and give their smile the best possible start.

What Is Invisalign for Children?

Invisalign for children is a modern orthodontic treatment designed to straighten your child’s teeth and guide their jaw development without the need for traditional metal braces. Like Invisalign for adults, this orthodontic treatment also uses clear aligners, except they are specifically made to accommodate growing mouths and mixed dentition (a combination of baby and adult teeth).

When it comes to Invisalign for children, there are two main treatment options that you can choose from: Invisalign First and Invisalign Teen. Below, we’ve shared more insight about each one.

Invisalign First™ for Younger Children (Ages 6-10)

Invisalign First is an orthodontic treatment specifically designed for our youngest patients, typically children between the ages of 6 and 10 who still have a mix of baby and adult teeth.

The primary purposes of this early orthodontic treatment are to guide jaw growth, create space for incoming permanent teeth, and correct various orthodontic issues before they become more complex and difficult to treat.

Invisalign Teen for Older Children and Adolescents

Invisalign Teen is an orthodontic treatment better suited for older children and teenagers who have already developed most of their permanent teeth. This type of treatment focuses primarily on straightening any misaligned teeth and correcting bite issues using a series of clear aligners.

One unique feature of the aligners that are used in Invisalign Teen treatments is that they feature wear indicators. This makes it easy for both you and your child’s orthodontist in London to monitor whether the aligners are being worn for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day.

How Does Invisalign Work for Kids?

Invisalign for kids works in a very similar way to a standard Invisalign treatment. Your child will get their initial set of clear aligners, which they’ll have to wear between 20 and 22 hours per day.

After two or so weeks, your child will move onto a slightly more adjusted pair of clear aligners, which will continue guiding their teeth into better alignment in a controlled and predictable way.

This process will continue until the desired results have been achieved. For best results, the aligners must only be removed when eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing and flossing, and engaging in physical activity.

Is Your Child a Candidate for Clear Aligners?

Not every child is a suitable candidate for clear aligners, as suitability largely depends on the patient’s age, dental development, and the complexity of their orthodontic needs. The best candidates for clear aligners typically include children who:

Are at least 6 years old and at a suitable stage of dental development
Have mild to moderate alignment or spacing issues
Have bite problems that Invisalign for kids can resolve
Can wear the aligners for at least 20 to 22 hours per day
Are happy to take proper care of their aligners and dental hygiene
Lead active lifestyles where a removable treatment would be beneficial

The best way to find out if your child is a suitable candidate for clear aligners is to get them booked in with one of our experienced orthodontists in London. Following the initial consultation, our orthodontist will let you know if and how your child can benefit from clear aligners.

Benefits of Choosing Invisible Braces for Children

Invisible braces for children are a modern alternative to traditional metal braces. Some of the reasons and benefits behind their growing popularity, especially among young children and teenagers, include:

Virtually Invisible Appearance

Unlike traditional metal braces, which can easily be seen, invisible braces use clear aligners that are designed to sit discreetly over your child’s teeth. This makes them far less noticeable when your child is talking or smiling.

Comfortable and Safe Treatment

Your child’s Invisalign aligners will be made from smooth, BPA-free plastic and will be custom-fitted to their teeth. This will not only make your child’s orthodontic journey far more comfortable, but due to the lack of metal brackets or wires, there will be far lower risk of irritation, cuts, or soreness to the cheeks and gums.

Maintains Excellent Oral Hygiene

Since the clear aligners can be easily popped on and off, your child can maintain excellent oral hygiene while addressing their orthodontic issues. This greatly reduces the risk of plaque build-up, tooth decay, and gum problems during the treatment.

Freedom to Eat Anything

Nuts, chewy sweets, popcorn, and other hard or sticky foods should be avoided, as they can damage the wires and brackets or become too difficult to clean. With Invisalign, your child can eat whatever they want, whenever they want.

Sports and Activity Friendly

Invisalign is the perfect orthodontic treatment for active children, as the aligners can be removed during sports, physical education, and other activities where impact is possible. This not only makes sports more fun but also far safer.

Predictable, Proven Results

Invisalign treatments are planned using advanced digital technology, which allows our orthodontist to map out the movement of your child’s teeth from start to finish. This means you can see a clear treatment plan and the results that can be expected before the treatment even begins.

Special Features of Invisalign for Kids

Invisalign for kids comes with features that have been specifically tailored to early orthodontic care. Some examples include:

Blue Compliance Indicator Dots

These are small blue dots that fade over time if your child is wearing their aligners correctly and for a sufficient amount of time each day. The primary purpose of these blue dots is to help you monitor whether your child is wearing their aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day.

Eruption Compensators

This feature is built into the aligners to allow space for permanent teeth as they emerge. This ensures that your child’s treatment can continue as planned while their teeth and jaws are still developing.

Precision Wings for Jaw Growth

Precision wings are designed to help guide jaw growth in children with certain bite issues, such as overbites. Thanks to them, your child will develop strong and well-aligned jaws, reducing the likelihood of a more complex treatment later on.

What Conditions Can Invisalign First Treat in Children?

Invisalign First is specifically designed for young children between the ages of 6 and 10. Some of the conditions that this early orthodontic treatment can address in young children include:

Crowding that has been caused by insufficient space for emerging teeth
Spacing issues between baby and permanent teeth
Narrow dental arches that require expansion
Crossbites that affect both tooth and jaw alignment
Overbites that may benefit from an early correction
Underbites that are linked to developing jaw discrepancies

The Treatment Journey at Boston Orthodontics

While every child has a unique treatment journey, the overall process remains relatively similar. Here are the different stages that every young patient of ours typically goes through to get the results that they desire:

Initial Consultation and Assessment

Your child’s journey at Boston Orthodontics will begin with a comprehensive consultation. During the consultation, our orthodontist will assess your child’s teeth, jaw development, and overall oral health. They’ll also open it up to you and your child to discuss any concerns and determine whether Invisalign is the most appropriate treatment option at the time of the assessment.

Personalised Treatment Planning

If your child is a suitable candidate for Invisalign, following the assessment, our orthodontist will create a fully bespoke treatment plan based on your child’s individual needs. This typically includes digital scans and detailed planning to map out how your child’s teeth will move over the course of the treatment.

Beginning Treatment

Once your child’s aligners are ready, they will receive their first set along with clear guidance and instructions on how and when to wear them. This is one of the most crucial steps for achieving the desired results.

Progress Monitoring

Once the treatment begins, you and your child will need to visit our clinic in London for regular check-ups. These check-ups are designed for our orthodontist to keep a close eye on how your child’s teeth are moving and to ensure the treatment is progressing as planned.

Completion and Retention

Once the Invisalign treatment is over, the next step is to retain the results that we have achieved. To do that, your child will be given retainers that they’ll have to wear. When and how the retainers need to be worn can vary, but your child’s orthodontist will make that very clear during the appointment.

Invisalign vs Traditional Braces for Children

When it comes to child teeth straightening treatments, there are two main options that parents can choose from – Invisalign and traditional braces. The right choice for your child will largely depend on their age, stage of dental development, the complexity of the orthodontic treatment they require, and their ability to follow a treatment plan.

Both Invisalign and traditional braces are effective orthodontic treatments, but they work in different ways and suit different children. Invisalign is the more discreet option as the treatment involves the use of clear, removable aligners. Traditional braces, on the other hand, are fixed onto the teeth and are much more visible. They are, however, more suitable for complex cases.

How Much Does Invisalign Cost for Kids in London?

The cost of Invisalign for kids in London can vary depending on the complexity of your child’s orthodontic needs, the length of the treatment, and the orthodontic practice that you choose. At Boston Orthodontics, the cost of Invisalign for kids starts from £3,500.

To find out exactly how much your child’s Invisalign treatment would cost at Boston Orthodontics, please get in touch with us at your earliest convenience so we can book your child’s initial consultation with one of our orthodontists.

Children's Orthodontics in London: Why Choose Boston Orthodontics?

For over 25 years, Boston Orthodontics has been the leading choice for children’s orthodontics in London. Over the years, our team of specialists have helped transform the smiles and oral health of hundreds of children across the city.

Beyond our vast experience in children’s orthodontics, other reasons why you should choose us for the orthodontic treatment of your child include:

The Invisalign treatment of your child will be tailored to their specific needs
We use advanced orthodontic technology to get predictable results
We have a fantastic reputation among families across London
The cost of our Invisalign treatment for kids is transparent with no hidden costs
We offer flexible appointment times to suit busy family schedules
Our clinic is calm, welcoming, and suitable even for the most nervous children

Real Patient Results: Before and After

FAQs

At what age can my child get Invisalign?

Your child needs to be at least 6 years old to be a suitable candidate for Invisalign. Beyond their age, your child’s stage of dental development will also be taken into consideration when determining whether Invisalign is the right treatment option for them.

How long does treatment take for children?

For younger children, Invisalign First treatments typically last between 6 and 18 months. For older children and teenagers using Invisalign Teen, the treatment usually takes between 12 and 24 months.

The length of the Invisalign treatment for your child will vary depending on their age, dental development, and the overall complexity of their orthodontic needs.

Will my child actually wear the aligners?

Invisalign aligners for children are designed to be as comfortable and discreet as possible, which will make your child far more likely to wear them consistently and achieve the results we’re striving for.

To help you monitor compliance without constant reminders, Invisalign aligners for kids come with wear indicators, which fade over time. This can help you get a good idea if your child is wearing their aligners for the recommended 20 to 22 hours per day.

How often are appointments needed?

Usually, every 6 to 10 weeks. Since the entire treatment is pre-planned and no wires need to be adjusted, your child will get several sets of clear aligners in advance, with instructions on when to move on to the next set.

Can my child play sports with Invisalign?

Absolutely, and that’s one of the main benefits of choosing Invisalign over traditional braces for your child. Since they can be popped on and off with ease, your child can safely play sports whenever they want to. All they have to do is remove their Invisalign aligners before their training session or match and pop them back in place afterwards.

What if the aligners are lost or damaged?

If your child loses or damages their aligners, they will need to be replaced as soon as possible so that their treatment can continue as planned. If that ever happens to be the case, please get in touch with us as soon as possible so we can arrange for the lost or damaged aligners to be replaced.

How do we clean the aligners properly?

Cleaning the aligners is relatively easy and should ideally be done every time they’re removed. All you or your child typically needs to do is rinse them with lukewarm water and gently brush them using a soft brush.

Can my child eat while they’re wearing the aligners?

No, your child cannot eat while they’re wearing the aligners. Wearing the aligners while eating is not only uncomfortable, but the aligners may break or get discoloured.

Is Invisalign more expensive than braces for children?

At Boston Orthodontics, Invisalign treatments are more affordable than braces for children. To help you compare the costs between the two treatment options, the cost of Invisalign starts from £3500, while the cost of braces starts from £6,500.

What happens after treatment finishes?

Once your child’s Invisalign journey comes to an end, the next step of the process is maintaining the results that have been achieved. After the treatment, your child will be provided with a retainer that they need to wear to keep their teeth in their new positions and prevent them from shifting over time.

How is Invisalign for kids different from adult treatment?

The main difference between Invisalign for kids and Invisalign for adults is that the former treatment is designed to accommodate the growing mouth of your child, while the latter focuses solely on moving fully developed teeth to their correct position.

The clear aligners for kids also feature special design elements, such as wear indicators, whereas Invisalign aligners for adults don’t.