Clear Aligners for Kids: Are They the Right Choice?

Some of our parents didn't get the memo about early orthodontic intervention. This has meant hundreds of thousands of adults having to suffer through orthodontic treatments into their 30s and 40s, which could have been completely avoided if we'd gone through it in our teens. Seriously, Mum and Dad? What's that about?

Why wouldn't you slap some braces on us while we were too busy worrying about acne and homework to care? So, PSA for parents: regardless of the dramatics and the resistance received from your kids - trust us, enduring orthodontic treatment in your teens will make adult life a million times easier in the long run.

Luckily, with modern advancements, many families now have the opportunity to decide between multiple orthodontic treatments, all bearing their own pros and cons. But the question on everyone's mind is:

Clear Aligners for kids? Are they the right choice?

Before we get into it, let's get clear on a few things (pun intended).

What Are Clear Aligners?

Virtually invisible, clear aligners are plastic trays or retainers you wear daily. If you're looking for a highly discreet, affordable, and noninvasive way to treat your misaligned smile, clear aligners can straighten things out in as little as a couple of months.

Every fortnight, you switch your clear aligners out for another pair to move your teeth safely and comfortably in small increments. We're not saying they're pain-free, but compared to other orthodontic teeth straightening methods, they're a breeze!

Choosing a clear aligner treatment also means your kids can remove them to eat, drink, perform in whatever dance/sport they're involved in, and continue their teeth cleaning and (hopefully) flossing regime like nothing has changed. 

The Bitesoft Co clear aligner treatment stands out because it offers two flexible options: complete the entire process remotely or schedule visits with a partner orthodontist for in-clinic checkups and progress assessments. 

It's also one of the only clear aligner treatments offered in Australia that is also Australian-owned and operated, with aligner fabrication happening within the country. Aussie, aussie, aussie, oi, oi, oi!

Are Clear Aligners Suitable for Kids?

Short answer? Yes.

Clear aligners are suitable for kids treated under parents' supervision.

It is worth mentioning that kids undergoing a clear aligner treatment will need to have some sense of responsibility and be disciplined with their treatment plan in order for it to be effective. We'll touch more on this later.

Benefits of Clear Aligners for Kids

The benefits of clear aligners for kids extend beyond the fact that they're virtually invisible. But, if you're pitching the idea to your child, we will admit it is the most enticing factor when they're already suffering through adolescent acne and all the fun parts of puberty. But there's more to it than that. Allow us to elaborate:

Aesthetics Are Everything: A clear aligner treatment is ideal for an image-conscious school kid. While they're not entirely invisible, they're less noticeable than traditional methods and offer a very under-the-radar teeth straightening method.

Removability: Unlike traditional braces, clear aligners can be removed. Wear time is 20-22 hours per day, which leaves plenty of time to remove them for eating, drinking, and brushing teeth, and giving your child the confidence they need to stand up in class for presentations or performances. 

Fewer Orthodontic Visits: Traditional braces often require a minimum of monthly visits to check progress and perform tightening, which is a big block of time out of the parent's and child's schedule each month and one that will be factored into the overall cost of the treatment. While clear aligners offer a different option. As we mentioned above, with a clear aligner treatment, you can complete the entire treatment remotely or opt to have bi-monthly(or similar) appointments to check progress, meaning far fewer orthodontic visits - ultimately meaning lower costs for the overall treatment.

Comfort: Traditional braces are made from metal, wires, and, in some cases, rubber bands designed to put pressure on your teeth and jawline to straighten your smile. In our humble opinion, this type of torture can be avoided entirely with a clear aligner treatment alternative. Clear aligners are made from Zendura™ FLX, a BPA-free plastic material specifically chosen for its superior qualities. We use Zendura™ FLX because it meets our high standards for clear aligner therapy, offering:

• Firm yet gentle performance

• Comfortable wear

• Clarity that stays throughout the treatment

Unlike many commercial plastic materials, Zendura™ FLX offers exceptional elasticity, allowing the aligners to recover from movement or damage.

And lastly, and in our professional opinions, the most important contributing factor:

Zero Diet Limitations: The most frustrating and inconvenient thing about traditional metal braces is that they come with dietary restrictions. Say goodbye to hard, sticky and chewy foods for months or years at a time - good luck getting them to stick to that at birthday parties and other events kids like to attend and, for lack of a better word, get feral at. With clear aligners, kids remove the trays before eating and drinking, allowing them to continue enjoying all the sugar-filled, artificially packed junk food they love to indulge in.

Bitesoft's Approach for Kids

At Bitesoft Co, we treat patients as young as 14 years old. Any treatment for patients under the age of 18 will require parental consent, and we will need to make sure that you have lost all of your baby teeth.

As mentioned above, our Clear Aligner treatment offers the option to be completed entirely at home. For those living in remote areas, this option will provide access to high-quality care without needing to travel hours each month. However, we recommend in-clinic treatment for kids where possible, as that will motivate them to stick to their treatment plan. Did you know that some kids don't really like to listen to their parents? LOL

If you're considering a fully remote treatment plan, visit the website and click on the 'Free E-Consultation' tab to book your appointment. 

Otherwise, if you're leaning towards In-Clinic treatments, navigate to the 'Book Appointment' tab and schedule a visit to your closest BitesoftPro Partner Dentist. During your appointment, you'll receive a comprehensive treatment assessment, including a state-of-the-art scan, X-rays, professional teeth cleaning, and a thorough oral health evaluation.

Either way, our team will work with you to create a personalised plan tailored to your child's unique needs and smile goals. This comprehensive approach ensures that your child receives the highest quality of care and the best possible outcome for their clear aligner treatment.

After your initial consultation, your treatment plan will be prepared within 3-5 business days. Once you approve the plan, your aligners will be fabricated and shipped in 5-7 business days.

Parental Considerations

There are a few factors to consider when deciding which option is best for your child.

Compliance: Be honest with yourself and consider whether your child is actually responsible enough to wear the aligners for the recommended daily time of 20-22 hours? Since they are removable, you run the risk of your child taking them out for entire school days or simply 'forgetting' to put them back in after eating or drinking. You also run the risk of your child losing retainers throughout the day, which would lengthen their treatment time and end up costing you more as you would need to replace their lost retainers.

Cost: While we're confident that a clear aligner treatment with Bitesoft would be lower than traditional braces, it's always a good idea to shop around and speak to a few different professionals before deciding.

Case Complexity: While clear aligners can treat the majority of cases, there are some instances where they aren't an option. Click here to book a FREE e-consultation to discuss your options with one of our professionals.

Comfort: We're parents, not monsters, so we don't want our children to suffer through a traditional orthodontic method when there are other options out there. If your child plays sports or is just a little rough in general, traditional metal braces may cut the inside of their mouths and cause unnecessary pain that could have been avoided with clear aligner treatment. We're not saying clear aligners are pain-free. They may feel slight discomfort when transitioning between trays, but that should subside within a day or two. 

Success Stories

At Bitesoft Co, we have successfully completed countless treatments for kids, delivering outstanding results every time. From fixing minor misalignments to straightening crowded or gappy smiles, our clear aligners have helped thousands of kids achieve straighter, healthier and happier smiles. We've seen our clear aligners' impact on kids who have completed their treatments and transformed from shy and self-conscious into a confident and proud, smiley-faced individual. We're proud to help achieve straighter smiles for these kids, making them (and their parents who fund the venture) incredibly happy. 

So, there you have it. A very long-winded answer to the question: Are clear aligners the right choice for kids? 

At the end of the day, Bitesoft Co clear aligners offer a fantastic, discreet, and effective solution to align kids' smiles across Australia and New Zealand.

And let's face it—if clear aligners save you from a future "Why didn't you do this when I was younger?" guilt trip from your now-adult child, they're worth every cent. 

Smile now; thank us later!