Invisalign First: Clear Aligners for Growing Smiles
Some orthodontic concerns are easier to assess while your child is still growing.
Invisalign First is a clear-aligner treatment designed specifically for younger children who still have a combination of baby teeth and adult teeth. It may help guide developing teeth, create room for adult teeth and address certain bite or alignment concerns at an earlier stage.
Not every child needs early orthodontic treatment. The first step is an individual assessment to understand how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing and whether treatment is recommended now, later or not at all.
What Is Invisalign First?
Invisalign First is an early orthodontic treatment designed for selected children, generally between 6 and 10 years of age.
It uses a series of custom-made, removable clear aligners to gradually guide your child’s teeth into a more suitable position while their mouth is still developing.
The aligners are designed to fit smaller teeth and can accommodate a combination of baby teeth and newly erupted adult teeth.
Invisalign First may be used to:
Every child develops differently. An assessment is needed to determine whether Invisalign First is the most appropriate option for your child.
What Is Phase 1 Orthodontic Treatment?
Invisalign First is commonly referred to as Phase 1 orthodontic treatment.
Phase 1 treatment takes place while a child still has some baby teeth and their adult teeth and jaws are continuing to develop.
The purpose is not necessarily to completely straighten every tooth at a young age. Instead, early treatment may be recommended to address a specific developing concern, improve the position of certain teeth or create more space for adult teeth to come through.
Some children benefit from early treatment, while others are better suited to monitoring until they are older.
An early assessment allows us to determine the most appropriate timing for your child.
Does My Child Need an Early Orthodontic Assessment?
An early assessment does not automatically mean your child will need treatment.
It gives our team the opportunity to examine:
Following the assessment, we may recommend starting treatment, monitoring your child’s development or waiting until more adult teeth have appeared.
Signs Your Child May Benefit From an Assessment
You may wish to arrange an assessment if you have noticed:
These signs do not necessarily mean your child needs Invisalign First. They simply indicate that an orthodontic assessment may be helpful.
What Concerns Can Invisalign First Help Address?
Depending on your child’s individual needs, Invisalign First may be considered for concerns such as:
Crowded teeth
Crowding occurs when there is not enough room for teeth to come through or sit in a suitable position. Treatment may help create additional room within the dental arch and guide developing teeth.
Gaps between teeth
Some spacing is normal while children are growing. However, larger or uneven spaces may sometimes benefit from assessment and treatment.
Narrow dental arches
A narrow arch can reduce the amount of room available for adult teeth. In selected cases, treatment may assist with arch development and help create space.
Crossbite
A crossbite occurs when some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth when biting. Depending on the cause and severity, earlier assessment may be recommended.
Overbite or overjet
An overbite relates to how much the upper teeth vertically overlap the lower teeth. An overjet occurs when the upper front teeth sit significantly forward from the lower teeth.
Underbite
An underbite occurs when the lower front teeth sit in front of the upper front teeth when biting.
Your child’s clinician will assess their teeth, jaws and bite before recommending any treatment.
What Are the Benefits of Invisalign First?
For children who are suitable candidates, Invisalign First may offer several advantages.
Is Invisalign First Right for Every Child?
No. Invisalign First is not suitable or necessary for every child.
Your child’s suitability will depend on factors including:
Clear aligner treatment requires cooperation. Your child will need to wear their aligners as instructed and avoid frequently losing or damaging them.
For some children, monitoring, braces or another orthodontic appliance may be more suitable.
Our team will explain the available options so you can make an informed decision.
How Does Invisalign First Treatment Work?
Six steps, from first assessment through to regular reviews.
Initial Assessment
We begin by examining your child’s teeth, jaws and bite. We will discuss any concerns you or your child may have and assess whether early orthodontic treatment should be considered.
Digital Records
If treatment is being considered, we may take digital scans, photographs and X-rays. These records help us understand how your child’s teeth are positioned and allow us to develop an individual treatment plan.
Personalised Treatment Plan
We will explain what concerns have been identified, whether treatment is recommended, the available treatment options, the expected treatment duration, what will be required from your child, the estimated treatment fees and whether treatment may also be needed later. You will have the opportunity to ask questions before deciding whether to proceed.
Custom Aligners
If you proceed with Invisalign First, a series of clear aligners will be custom-made for your child. Each set of aligners is designed to apply gentle, controlled pressure to guide the teeth according to the treatment plan.
Wearing the Aligners
Your child will wear each set of aligners as directed by their clinician. Aligners should generally only be removed for eating, drinking anything other than water, brushing and flossing, cleaning the aligners, and activities where removal has been recommended. Consistent wear is important – frequently leaving the aligners out can delay treatment or affect the planned tooth movement.
Review Appointments
Your child will attend regular review appointments so we can monitor their progress, provide their next aligners and make adjustments if required. The timing of appointments will depend on your child’s individual treatment plan.
What Is Everyday Life Like With Invisalign First?
Most children adjust to wearing their aligners as they become part of their daily routine.
How Much Does Invisalign First Cost?
The cost of Invisalign First varies depending on your child’s treatment needs, the complexity of the case and the expected treatment duration.
Following your child’s assessment and treatment planning, we will provide you with a written treatment plan outlining:
Private health insurance may contribute towards orthodontic treatment depending on your level of cover, applicable waiting periods and available limits. We recommend contacting your health fund directly to confirm your entitlements before starting treatment.
As a general guide, our current Invisalign First fees are:
Phase I
From $2,800
(without palatal expander)
Phase II
From $6,000
(if required)
Combined Treatment Package
$8,500
Includes both phases over approximately five years, if Phase II is required.
Every child is different. Following your consultation, we’ll explain whether treatment is recommended now or whether monitoring your child’s growth is the best option.
Why Choose DentalOne?
At DentalOne, we understand that considering orthodontic treatment for your child can feel like a significant decision.
Our goal is to provide clear information, realistic expectations and an individual treatment recommendation based on your child’s needs.
During your consultation, we will:
If your child does not need treatment immediately, we will let you know and may recommend monitoring their development instead.
Find Out Whether Invisalign First Is Right for Your Child
An early orthodontic assessment can provide valuable information about how your child’s teeth and jaws are developing. It does not necessarily mean treatment will be required. Our team will assess your child, explain any concerns and let you know whether treatment is recommended now, later or not at all. Alternatively, contact us to speak with our team and learn more about early orthodontic treatment for your child.
Frequently Asked Questions
All treatment is subject to an individual clinical assessment. Suitability, treatment duration, costs and outcomes vary between patients. Invisalign First may not be suitable for every child.
