Invisalign in Mixed Dentition Cases
Since arriving on the scene about 20 years ago, Invisalign has been changing orthodontic treatment for many thousands of adults around the world. However, in those early days, the clear removable appliances were not recommended for use in young patients who didn’t yet have all their permanent teeth. The height (crown) of permanent teeth usually extends well above that of the “baby” teeth, making it very difficult at that time to effectively treat malocclusions with removable appliances.The demand among young patients for more comfortable and more attractive orthodontic treatment was more than enough to stimulate the development of an Invisalign system for young patients with mixed and changing dentition.According to Align Technology’s VP, Mitra Derakhshan, DDS, “Younger patients have smaller teeth with shorter crowns and anatomical differences that require specific features for Phase 1 treatment. Invisalign First is the first clear aligner product designed with software features specifically for younger patients.”In a press release in April this year Align Technology explains a little further,“Invisalign First clear aligners are designed specifically to address a broad range of younger patients’ malocclusions, including shorter clinical crowns, management of erupting dentition, and predictable dental arch expansion.”The arrival of an Invisalign product line for patients as young as 6 is very much a welcome one!Let’s face it: a mouth full of metal fittings and wires is nowhere nearly as desirable as a clear removable trainer and a few cemented buttons and elastic bands. No diet changes are necessary. There is no serious discomfort. It’s easy to brush, eat and drink. The dental visits are shorter, and less stressful on patients as well as parents.The results are as good or better than traditional orthodontics, according to an Italian orthodontic case report published in September 2017 in iMed Pub Journals “...it appears that clear aligner treatment potentially causes less root resorption than conventional fixed appliances.” Which means the corrected dentition may remain in place longer! (Yes, in either type of treatment the progress can “come undone” by dental roots returning to their pre-treatment positions. That is why it is so important to follow through with retainer and other post-correction therapy.)It was believed that young patients might not be able to be relied upon to follow treatment instructions. But, after hundreds of test cases being conducted during the development of Invisalign First’s mixed dentition correction, it was demonstrated that most young people do indeed follow instructions well enough to achieve obvious, measurable success.A case study of Invisalign Teen (for, of course, adolescents) in France in 2013 states:“Even if multibracket orthodontic appliances have long been the treatment of choice for adolescents, one of the more recent innovations is the possibility of treating them by using a system of transparent trays custom-made for the individual: INVISALIGN TEEN. Though similar to INVISALIGN, it features different functionalities required to respond to the specific needs of our young patients. The compliance indicators make it possible to monitor the good cooperation of our patients regarding the number of hours they wear the aligners (20 to 22 hours a day). The presence of eruption guidance pontics and eruption tabs take into account the future eruption of the last permanent teeth and make it possible to begin our treatment in the mixed dentition.”The system of employing a mix of elastic band therapy with the clear positioning trays is proving to be highly successful for children and adolescents for a vast array of reasons. The benefits are impressive:
- Predictable results
- Far greater comfort than fixed “braces”
- No food restrictions
- Lower costs
- Perfectly customized treatment plan
- Precise guidance of emerging adult teeth as they erupt
- Less traumatic orthodontic visits during treatment course
- And often a shorter course duration
There is now an Invisalign treatment option for almost any age patient, but the mixed dentition systems of Invisalign Teen and Invisalign First are a welcome boon for children needing orthodontic treatment. What is there NOT to like about the clear aligners for our young patients?SOURCES:Align Technology Introduces Invisalign Clear Aligners for Phase 1 Treatment of Younger Patients With Early Mixed Dentitionhttps://globenewswire.com/news-release/2018/04/04/1460345/0/en/Align-Technology-Introduces-Invisalign-Clear-Aligners-for-Phase-1-Treatment-of-Younger-Patients-With-Early-Mixed-Dentition.htmlClear Aligners Target Young Patients With Mixed Dentitionhttp://www.dentistrytoday.com/products/product-highlights/item/3135-clear-aligners-target-young-patients-with-mixed-dentitionAlign Technology launches Invisalign First aligners for paediatric usehttps://www.zenopa.com/news/801845992/align-technology-launches-invisalign-first-aligners-for-paediatric-useINVISALIGN for adolescents: an alternative to multibracket attachments? A case studyhttps://www.jdao-journal.org/articles/odfen/pdf/2013/04/odfen2013164p406.pdfCorrection of Class II Malocclusions in Growing Patients by Using the Invisalign® Techniquehttp://orthodontics-endodontics.imedpub.com/correction-of-class-ii-malocclusionsin-growing-patients-by-using-theinvisalign-technique-rational-basesand-treatment-staging.pdf5.2 Invisalign Pro - Class II Correction in the Mixed Dentitionhttps://vimeo.com/213749641
