At Sparkman Orthodontics, we know that the best corrective treatment is preventative treatment. This is why we suggest patients come in as early as possible to stop orthodontic issues before they grow worse. Kids often have the greatest success in clear aligners because it’s easier to influence the movement of their teeth and jaws while their mouths are still growing. Clear aligner treatments such as Invisalign and Spark clear aligners give children the opportunity to grow up with a gorgeous and healthy smile that will last a lifetime.
Spark Clear Aligners
Our office is proud to offer Spark clear aligners, a revolutionary new corrective treatment that provides patients of all ages with high-level comfort and improved aesthetics. Spark clear aligner treatment consists of a series of clear aligners planned by one of our orthodontists to guide your teeth and jaw into place for the perfect smile. Each set of clear aligners is printed in a material called TruGEN™, which is famous for being perfectly clear and highly stain resistant. Compared to other clear aligner brands, Spark aligners stay clear longer, giving you a gorgeous smile during every stage of treatment.
Spark aligners apply consistent pressure to your teeth, so they gradually shift into place over time. Every new set you receive will be slightly adjusted until you reach your desired results. Many of our patients who’ve had Spark aligners report they barely can tell they have their appliance in during the day. This is because Spark aligners are designed with polished edges so patients can enjoy a comfortable treatment experience.
Invisalign
In recent years, Invisalign has become one of the most popular corrective treatments because of its consistently beautiful results and discreet appearance. Invisalign works very similarly to Spark aligners as it consists of a series of clear aligners that are adjusted over time to shift your teeth into the desired place. We encourage you to wear each set of aligners for at least 20-22 hours a day so your teeth benefit from consistent pressure, and you can have an efficient treatment experience.
Invisalign clear aligners are printed in a thermoplastic material called SmartTrack that fits snugly over your teeth and makes it easy to put your aligners in and take them out. We use a digital impression system, or iTero, that allows us to print aligners that match every groove of your smile for ultimate comfort and efficiency.
What Are the Benefits of Clear Aligners for Children?
While some parents worry about their child taking their aligners out and losing them, we want to assure you that children often have the most success in clear aligners. Children usually quickly adapt to their appliances and are less likely to take them out without direction. There are many benefits to being able to take the aligners out, including:
Eat the Foods They Love: Your child doesn’t have to give up any of their favorite foods to work toward a healthier smile. They would have to avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods in braces to protect their brackets and wires from damage. With clear aligners, all they have to do is take them out before they eat and put them back in once they finish their meal.
No Need to Worry about Broken Braces or Wires: We all know accidents happen, and children can be rough on their corrective appliance. There is no fear of broken brackets or poking wires with clear aligners such as Invisalign and Spark. You can rest easy knowing your child will enjoy an easy and comfortable treatment process.
Easy to Brush and Floss Their Teeth as They Normally Would: Our team understands getting your child to brush and floss is difficult to do even without an appliance. It can be extra difficult for children to clean around metal braces properly. With Invisalign and Spark aligners, they can take their appliance out and perform their daily dental hygiene routine as they usually would.
Why Should I Consider Clear Aligners for My Child?
Clear aligners are an excellent solution for orthodontic issues for children and can create beautiful and healthy smiles that last a lifetime. We suggest you bring your child in for a consultation around seven years old. At this age, they will have some of their permanent teeth, and we’ll be able to see if any problem areas are forming. It’s important to catch minor orthodontic issues early so they don’t grow to be bigger issues down the road. Early treatment with clear aligners can set your child up for a healthier and happier smile.
Treatment isn’t always necessary right away, and our doctors always prioritize the future of your child’s smile above putting them in treatment. If your child may benefit from clear aligners down the road but doesn’t need them yet, we will place them under observation to keep track of their development and make more informed decisions about future treatment.
How Should My Child Care for Their Clear Aligners?
We know it can be difficult to get your child to sit still for long enough to brush and floss their teeth multiple times a day, let alone keep their aligners clean. Luckily, keeping their clear aligners clean is simple and only adds one more step to their daily routine. After your child finishes brushing and flossing their teeth, they should take a toothbrush and warm water and use them to scrub the fronts and backs of their aligners. This will rid their aligners of food debris or harmful bacteria, so they don’t put a dirty appliance back on freshly cleaned teeth.
Can My Child Still Participate in Sports?
Of course! The Sparkman team is passionate about supporting local sports teams, and we love seeing our patients out on the field. Clear aligners can act as a mouthguard to protect your teeth if anything hits your face. However, if your child would feel more comfortable, they can take their aligners out for their game or practice.