— Invisalign First · children aged 6 to 10

Early orthodontics,
with nothing visible.

Invisalign First is the version of the system for children in mixed dentition: baby teeth and permanent teeth side by side. It guides jaw growth and makes room for the teeth still to come — with removable aligners, not metal expanders.

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Invisalign® Provider

Box of Invisalign aligners on the office table

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up around age 7. Not because everything is treated at that age, but because that is when space and bite problems become visible — and some are far easier to correct while the child is growing.

When indicated, Invisalign First does at that stage what used to require fixed appliances: it expands narrow arches, corrects crossbites and gains room for the permanent teeth, with a series of aligners designed for erupting teeth.

6–10yrs

Usual age range

0yrs

First check-up recommended (AAO)

20–22h

Of wear per day

— 01 · Who it is for

What it corrects at this stage.

Narrow arches

Gradual arch expansion so the permanent teeth have somewhere to come in.

Crossbite

Correction of the relationship between the arches while the bone still responds.

Early crowding

Space management in mixed dentition to reduce the need for extractions later.

Habits and protrusion

Selected cases of forward teeth or habits that affect tooth position.

— 02 · How it works

From the scan to phase two.

01
Check-up
iTero™ scan (no impressions — ideal for children), photographs and a growth review. We decide whether to treat now or wait.
02
ClinCheck® plan
The 3D simulation shows the expansion and the space we are after. Parents see it on screen before starting.
03
Aligners
Designed for erupting teeth, with space compensation. Worn 20 to 22 hours a day; removed to eat and brush.
04
Follow-up
Check-ups every 6–8 weeks. Afterwards, growth monitoring until the permanent teeth come in; sometimes a short second phase is needed.

Questions on this topic

Everything patients ask us

It depends on the problem. A check-up at 7 does not mean starting treatment: in many cases the recommendation is to wait and monitor. When early treatment is advised, it is because growth can be used in the child's favour.

Usually better than parents expect: they do not hurt like fixed appliances and there are no food restrictions. The aligners have a wear indicator that helps confirm the hours are being met.

Maybe, maybe not. The first phase solves the skeletal and space problem; the final position of the permanent teeth sometimes needs a second, usually shorter, phase.

It happens: let the office know and we decide whether to move to the next one or order a replacement. The plan allows for replacements.

The price is set in writing at the consultation, according to complexity and estimated duration. See "How much does Invisalign cost?" on the blog.

Sources

— American Association of Orthodontists — recommendation of a first orthodontic check-up at age 7.
— Align Technology — Invisalign First: indications in mixed dentition (expansion, space management, crossbite).

— First check-up

Find out if it is time.

A scan with no impressions, photographs and an honest recommendation: treat now or wait.