You might think that your child’s crooked grin is a mere aesthetic issue, but the truth is that overcrowded teeth are also harder to clean. Your little one is more likely to struggle to brush and floss all sides as thoroughly, increasing their vulnerability to common issues like cavities and gum disease.
Invisalign continues to gain popularity as a clear alternative to traditional braces for straightening smiles. However, many parents and guardians want to know if it’s feasible to treat a single arch instead of both. Continue reading to learn more about why this method isn’t usually recommended!
How Does Invisalign Work?
Unlike standard orthodontics, this method utilizes transparent plastic trays that are customized to fit snugly over your child’s pearly whites to reposition them gently. It’s considered less invasive than the traditional treatment because the aligners are removable, so they don’t impact daily routines like eating and cleaning their teeth. Plus, the smooth plastic won’t cut the tender tissues inside their mouth.
Your child will be given a set of trays to wear for 20 to 22 hours daily to prevent their teeth from reverting to their previous places. After about a week or two, they’ll be provided with the next set in their series to account for the ongoing movement of their teeth. Then, it usually takes about 12 to 18 months to complete treatment.
Can Invisalign be Applied to a Single Arch?
If your child only has minor issues to address in their upper or lower teeth, it’s natural to wonder whether Invisalign can treat a single arch at a time. After all, paying for a single arch might be less costly than covering treatment for both.
Although it’s possible in some circumstances, many dentists recommend against it. For instance, your child’s provider might indeed be able to design Invisalign to fit only their upper teeth. However, once their pearly whites have moved to their new positions, there’s a chance they might not meet the lower arch correctly when your child bites down.
This can wear down their enamel unevenly, contributing to cavities and injuries like chips and cracks. Then, you would have to pay for the correction, which might end up costing more than you would have paid to treat both arches to begin with.
As a result, most dentists prefer to treat both arches simultaneously to maintain your child’s dental health and bite alignment to prevent potential problems.
About the Practice
At Main Street Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics of Pleasanton, kids of all ages benefit from two dentists dedicated to improving still-developing smiles. Dr. Santiago and Dr. Brandon collaborate cohesively to offer a wide range of services to meet even the most unique pediatric needs under one roof, including Invisalign. Then, they combine a compassionate and caring approach with advanced technology to improve your child’s comfort while delivering accurate treatment results. You can request an appointment on the website or call (925) 425-9292.