Invisalign Vs Braces For Kids: A Pediatric Dentist's Answer By Age

Logan Grover

8 minutes ago

8 min read

Written By: Logan Grover, Content Writer

Reviewed By: Dr. Alison Grover, Board-Certified Diplomate Pediatric Dentist

Last Reviewed: October 23, 2026

Invisalign vs braces for kids depends on your child's age first. For kids 6 to 10, Phase 1 treatment uses 1 of 3 tools: Invisalign for kids, partial or full braces, or a removable appliance for simpler cases like a crossbite. For kids 11 to 14, it's full braces or clear aligners across all the permanent teeth. At any age, clear aligners work well for mild to moderate problems in kids who will wear them 20 to 22 hours a day.

We treat Phase 1 in-house at Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry in Erie and refer out when a case needs a specialist. Your child stays with the team that has been seeing them, in the office that already handles their cleanings.

Invisalign for kids is a set of clear, removable trays that move teeth over time and only work while they're worn. Braces are brackets attached to the teeth and joined by a wire, and your child can't take them out. Invisalign First is the version approved for younger children with mild to moderate alignment issues.

Pediatric dentist comparing orthodontic treatment for younger and older children

Invisalign vs Braces for Kids by Age: The Short Answer

The comparison changes around age 11. Before that, treatment corrects 1 specific problem while baby and permanent teeth share the mouth. After that, it moves all the permanent teeth into place.

	Phase 1 (ages 6 to 10)	Phase 2 (ages 11 to 14)
Teeth in the mouth	A mix of baby and permanent teeth	All permanent teeth
What treatment does	Corrects 1 specific problem	Aligns all the permanent teeth
Options	Invisalign for kids, partial or full braces, or a removable appliance	Full braces or clear aligners
Typical length at Mini Miners	9 to 18 months	Usually shorter and less complex after Phase 1
Who treats	Mini Miners, in-house	An orthodontist we trust

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Kids can get braces as young as 7, though most begin treatment between ages 9 and 14.

Clear aligner, braces, and removable appliance used for children's orthodontic care

The 3 Phase 1 Tools We Use at Mini Miners

We use Invisalign for kids, braces, and removable appliances, and the problem being treated decides which one fits. Phase 1 orthodontics in Erie typically runs 9 to 18 months.

Invisalign for kids comes out for eating and brushing. That means no food restrictions. It's often more comfortable than traditional braces, it means fewer emergency visits for broken appliances, and it works well for active kids and young athletes.

Our braces are designed for younger patients. They often go on only the teeth involved rather than a full set, aimed at the specific issue that needs correcting. We place full braces when a case calls for them.

A removable appliance fits simpler cases, like a single crossbite. Your child takes it out to eat and to brush.

These are the problems we treat in Phase 1:

Front crossbite: the upper front teeth sit behind the lower front teeth.
Back crossbite: the upper back teeth sit inside the lower back teeth.
Upper front teeth that stick out far enough to get hit.
Severe crowding that blocks a permanent tooth from coming in.
Habits that reshape the teeth: thumb or finger sucking past the preschool years, extended pacifier use, or tongue thrusting.

Can Braces Go on Baby Teeth?

Yes, in specific cases. Baby teeth respond to gentle force the same way permanent teeth do.

We don't bracket baby teeth for looks. We do it when a baby tooth is the only stable anchor available.

Pediatric dentist monitoring a child's dental growth before orthodontic treatment

When a 6- to 10-Year-Old Can Wait

Waiting is the right call more often than the industry admits. We recommend watching when the concern is spacing or mild crowding in the front teeth, and we also wait when a child isn't ready emotionally.

Mini Miners starts seeing children at age 1, or 6 months after the first tooth comes in. That history matters by the time Phase 1 comes up. A crossbite that appeared last year and a crossbite that has been shifting the jaw since age 4 are not the same case.

At every regular checkup, we monitor your child's growth and development. If we see an issue that early treatment would help, we'll talk through the options with you.

Child receiving comfortable orthodontic care from a pediatric dentist

Comfort and Soreness with Each Option

Invisalign is often more comfortable than traditional braces. With any Phase 1 appliance, most children feel minimal discomfort, and any soreness is typically mild and temporary.

For the day braces go on, we offer nitrous oxide to help anxious kids stay relaxed. It's plumbed into every treatment room. Your child doesn't move to a different room to get it.

We also use special techniques for sensory-sensitive children, along with child-friendly explanations and preparation. Our chairs recline partially for kids who won't lie flat, and parents are welcome to stay in the room.

Will a Young Child Wear Aligners 20 to 22 Hours a Day?

Many won't. Children under 12 often struggle to wear aligners the required 20 to 22 hours a day, and kids under 12 often get better results with fixed braces because there's nothing to take out.

For complex cases or kids who won't keep an appliance in, traditional braces are more reliable. Braces keep working whether or not your child remembers them.

Aligners still have a place in Phase 1. Invisalign First is approved for younger children with mild to moderate alignment issues. For a child who will wear the trays, aligners bring no food restrictions, easy cleaning, and fewer emergency visits for broken appliances.

A removable appliance for a simple crossbite has the same requirement as aligners. It only works while it's in.

Child brushing carefully around braces to maintain healthy teeth

The Bigger Risk with Phase 1 Braces: White Spots

The main risk with Phase 1 braces is decalcification, the white spots that form when plaque sits around brackets. The tooth movement itself is the smaller concern.

A child who dreads the chair won't brush around brackets for 12 months, and we don't think that trade is worth it. That's one reason we sometimes wait. Aligners come out for easy cleaning and brushing, with no brackets to brush around.

Decay in baby teeth doesn't happen overnight, which gives regular checkups time to catch it. In a study of 95 children ages 5 to 12, published in the Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry, a cavity took about 0.8 years (roughly 10 months) to travel from the outer enamel to the dentin. It took about 1.4 more years to reach the inner dentin.

Mini Miners follows the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry's recommendation of a checkup every 6 months, adjusted for a child's risk. That schedule is built to catch decay while it's still shallow. Because Phase 1 happens in the same office as your child's cleanings, the dentist checking around the brackets is the same one tracking their cavity risk.

Severe crowding raises cavity risk too, because crowded teeth are harder to clean. Phase 1 treatment creates space for adult teeth to come in correctly.

What Does Invisalign vs Braces Cost for Kids?

Mini Miners offers competitive rates below many orthodontists. Most insurance plans don't cover orthodontic treatment.

When a plan does cover orthodontics, the benefit is usually a lifetime maximum, not an annual one. Whatever Phase 1 uses comes out of what's left for Phase 2.

We don't think braces should be a luxury item. Families pay in 3 ways at Mini Miners:

Insurance: we accept most major dental plans, including Aetna PPO (not Aetna DHMO), Anthem, Cigna, Delta Dental, MetLife, United Concordia, and United Healthcare. Call before your first visit to confirm your plan.
Payment: all major credit cards, HSA and FSA cards, CareCredit, checks, and cash, plus in-office payment plans. We collect the patient portion on the day of service.
No insurance: the Mini Miners Membership Plan for kids 4 and up is $420 a year, or $360 for each additional sibling. It includes 2 cleanings, 2 exams, and 2 fluoride treatments a year, needed X-rays, 1 emergency exam, and up to 20% off other treatments. Some exclusions apply, so ask whether Phase 1 qualifies.

Pediatric dentist checking a broken bracket while a cracked aligner sits nearby

When a Bracket Breaks or an Aligner Cracks

Existing patients reach our after-hours emergency line by calling (303) 500-3202 and pressing 2. That connects you with the on-call Mini Miners pediatric dentist, including outside office hours.

Patients of record are worked in the same business day, and emergencies come before everything else in our schedule. Aligners mean fewer emergency visits for broken appliances.

Will My Child Still Need Braces as a Teenager?

Probably. Most children who finish Phase 1 still need Phase 2 in their teens, usually shorter and less complex than it would have been without early treatment.

Phase 2 means full braces or clear aligners across all the permanent teeth, typically between ages 11 and 14. Clear aligners work well for mild to moderate cases in older kids and teens who can commit to wearing them 20 or more hours a day. For complex cases or teens who won't keep aligners in, traditional braces remain more reliable.

When it's time for Phase 2, we connect you with an orthodontist we trust. After treatment, retainers hold the result, and the standard recommendation is long-term wear, at least at night.

If you're comparing Invisalign vs braces for kids, book an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Mini Miners Pediatric Dentistry is at 61 Erie Pkwy, Unit 101, in Erie Commons at the corner of Briggs St and Erie Pkwy. Call (303) 500-3202 or text (720) 734-5890.

Frequently Asked Questions

What age can a child get Invisalign?

Mini Miners offers Invisalign for kids as part of Phase 1 treatment, which typically happens between ages 6 and 10, while children have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. Invisalign First is approved for younger children with mild to moderate alignment issues. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic evaluation by age 7.

Invisalign vs braces for kids: which works better under age 12?

Kids under 12 often get better results with fixed braces because there's nothing to take out. Children in this age group often struggle to wear aligners the required 20 to 22 hours a day. For a child with a mild to moderate case who will wear them, aligners are easier to clean and carry no food restrictions.

Invisalign vs braces for kids: which is more comfortable?

Invisalign is often more comfortable than traditional braces, and most children feel minimal discomfort with any Phase 1 appliance. Soreness is typically mild and temporary. At Mini Miners, nitrous oxide is plumbed into every treatment room and is available for the day braces go on.

Can a 7-year-old get braces?

Yes. Kids can get braces as young as 7, though most begin treatment between ages 9 and 14. Braces can go on baby teeth in specific cases, such as when a baby tooth is the only stable anchor available.

How long does Phase 1 orthodontic treatment take?

At Mini Miners, Phase 1 typically takes 9 to 18 months, depending on the problem being treated. Common Phase 1 problems include front and back crossbites, severe crowding, and habits like thumb sucking, extended pacifier use, or tongue thrusting.

Does insurance cover braces or Invisalign for kids?

Most insurance plans don't cover orthodontic treatment. When a plan does, the benefit is usually a lifetime maximum, so whatever Phase 1 uses comes out of what's left for Phase 2. Mini Miners also accepts HSA and FSA cards, CareCredit, and in-office payment plans.

Will my child need braces again after Phase 1?

Most children who finish Phase 1 still need Phase 2 in their teens, typically between ages 11 and 14. Phase 2 is usually shorter and less complex than it would have been without early treatment.