Can Kids Get Invisalign Instead of Braces?

Medically reviewed by Dr. Polina Ingberman, DDS – Board-Certified Orthodontist | 25+ Years Experience | Last Updated: March 2026

Yes, kids can get Invisalign instead of braces in many cases. Invisalign First is designed specifically for children ages 6 to 10 whose baby teeth are still falling out, while Invisalign Teen works for adolescents with mostly permanent teeth. The key factor in determining whether Invisalign is right for your child is whether they are responsible enough to wear aligners 20 to 22 hours per day and keep track of them.

If your child needs orthodontic treatment and you are wondering whether clear aligners are an option, understanding the different Invisalign products for kids and what makes a good candidate will help you make an informed decision.

What Age Can Kids Start Invisalign?

Invisalign offers treatment options for children as young as 6 years old.

• Invisalign First (ages 6 to 10): Designed for younger children who still have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth. Invisalign First addresses common childhood orthodontic issues early, potentially reducing the need for more extensive treatment later.
• Invisalign Teen (ages 11 and up): Designed for adolescents who have most or all of their permanent teeth. Invisalign Teen includes features specifically for teenagers, like compliance indicators and replacement aligners for lost trays.
• Standard Invisalign (older teens and adults): Once all permanent teeth are in and growth is complete, teens can use standard Invisalign.

Your orthodontist will evaluate your child’s teeth, jaw development, and maturity to recommend the best timing and type of treatment.

Invisalign First: Clear Aligners for Younger Kids

Invisalign First is specifically designed for Phase 1 orthodontic treatment in children ages 6 to 10. At this age, children typically have a mix of baby teeth and permanent teeth, and their jaws are still growing.

Early treatment with Invisalign First can:

• Guide jaw growth to create more space for permanent teeth
• Correct crossbites, crowding, and spacing issues early
• Reduce the severity of problems that would need treatment later
• Potentially shorten or simplify Phase 2 treatment when your child is older

Invisalign First aligners are designed to accommodate growing mouths and emerging teeth. The aligners include features that allow space for teeth that have not yet come in.

Not every young child is a candidate for Invisalign First. Your orthodontist will assess whether your child’s specific issues can be treated with clear aligners or whether other approaches are more appropriate at this stage.

Invisalign Teen: How It Works for Adolescents

Invisalign Teen is designed for teenagers who have most or all of their permanent teeth. It works the same way as standard Invisalign, with some teen-specific features:

• Compliance indicators: Small blue dots on the aligners fade from blue to clear over time when worn properly. This helps parents and orthodontists see whether the teen is wearing aligners as directed.
• Eruption tabs: These hold space for teeth that have not fully come in yet, accommodating continued dental development.
• Replacement aligners: Invisalign Teen includes a set number of free replacement aligners in case trays are lost or damaged, which is more common with teenagers.

Invisalign Teen treats the same orthodontic issues as braces, including crowding, spacing, overbite, underbite, crossbite, and open bite. For most moderate alignment issues, Invisalign Teen is just as effective as traditional braces.

Is Your Child a Good Candidate for Invisalign?

Not every child is a good fit for Invisalign. The most important factor is responsibility and compliance.

Be honest about your child’s maturity level. Invisalign only works if it is worn. If your child takes aligners out frequently and forgets to put them back in, treatment will take longer or may not work at all. In those cases, braces are often a better choice because they work 24/7 without requiring compliance.

Invisalign vs Braces for Kids: Pros and Cons

Factor	Invisalign	Braces
Appearance	Nearly invisible	Visible metal (fun colored bands available)
Food Restrictions	None (remove to eat)	No popcorn, hard candy, sticky foods
Oral Hygiene	Easy (remove to brush)	Harder (brackets in the way)
Compliance Required	High (20-22 hrs/day)	None (works 24/7)
Sports Safety	No bracket injury risk	Mouthguard recommended
Complex Cases	Mild to moderate	All severity levels

Your orthodontist can help you weigh these factors based on your child’s specific situation, personality, and treatment needs.

What Orthodontic Problems Can Invisalign Fix in Kids?

Invisalign can treat many common orthodontic issues in children and teens:

• Crowding: When teeth overlap or are too close together because there is not enough space in the jaw
• Spacing: Gaps between teeth due to missing teeth, small teeth, or a large jaw
• Overbite: When upper front teeth extend too far over lower front teeth
• Underbite: When lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth
• Crossbite: When some upper teeth sit inside lower teeth instead of outside
• Open bite: When front teeth do not touch when biting down

For mild to moderate cases of these issues, Invisalign is often just as effective as braces. However, severe cases or complex bite problems may require braces or a combination of treatments. Your orthodontist will let you know if Invisalign can fully address your child’s needs.

What If My Child Loses an Invisalign Tray?

Losing aligners is a common concern for parents considering Invisalign for their kids. Invisalign Teen includes replacement aligners specifically because teenagers are more likely to misplace trays.

If your child loses an aligner:

• Contact your orthodontist immediately
• Have your child wear their previous tray to hold progress while waiting for a replacement
• Discuss whether skipping to the next tray is appropriate based on how long the current tray was worn

Why Brooklyn Parents Choose Brace Central Orthodontics

At Brace Central Orthodontics, we help parents decide whether Invisalign or braces is the right choice for their child.

• Honest assessment of candidacy. Dr. Polina Ingberman evaluates your child’s orthodontic needs and maturity level to recommend the treatment most likely to succeed. We will tell you honestly if we think Invisalign is a good fit or if braces would work better.
• Invisalign First and Invisalign Teen provider. We offer both Invisalign products for kids, giving you options for early treatment and adolescent treatment.
• Expert orthodontic care. With over 25 years of experience and training from Columbia University, Dr. Ingberman has treated hundreds of children and teens with both Invisalign and braces.
• Compliance support for teens. We monitor compliance indicators and check in with your teen about wear time at every appointment. If we see signs of underwearing, we address it early before it derails treatment.
• Convenient Brooklyn location. Our office at 2468 Coney Island Avenue in Gravesend and Sheepshead Bay is easy to reach for appointments and questions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can a 7 year old get Invisalign?

Yes, Invisalign First is designed for children ages 6 to 10. Your orthodontist will evaluate whether your child’s specific issues can be treated with Invisalign First or whether other approaches are better.

Is Invisalign as effective as braces for kids?

For mild to moderate orthodontic issues, Invisalign is just as effective as braces when worn properly. Severe cases may still require braces for the best results.

How do I know if my child is responsible enough for Invisalign?

Consider whether your child can follow instructions consistently, keep track of belongings, and commit to wearing aligners even when you are not reminding them. If you have doubts, braces may be a safer choice.

What happens if my teenager does not wear Invisalign enough?

Treatment will take longer, and teeth may not move as planned. In some cases, the orthodontist may recommend switching to braces if compliance is a consistent problem.

Is Invisalign more expensive than braces for kids?

Costs are often similar, though Invisalign can be slightly more expensive in some cases. Your orthodontist can provide specific pricing for your child’s treatment plan. Visit our financial information page for details.