Gentle guidance for growing smiles.

Why early treatment matters

Between the ages of 6 and 10, your child’s mouth is doing an incredible amount of growing. Baby teeth are still present alongside newly erupted permanent teeth, and the upper and lower jaws are actively developing. This “mixed dentition” stage is a unique window of opportunity for orthodontists to gently guide teeth and jaws into a healthier position — long before more complex problems can develop.

At Invisalign of Clifton, we call this proactive stage of treatment Phase 1 orthodontics. The goal isn’t to move every tooth into its perfect final position — that comes later. Instead, we address issues like crowding, crossbites, protruding front teeth, and narrow arches while your child’s bones are still soft and responsive. Early intervention often shortens or eliminates the need for braces in the teen years, and it can even prevent the need for tooth extractions or jaw surgery down the road.

For decades, Phase 1 treatment meant metal braces or bulky palatal expanders. Now, thanks to Invisalign First, your child can achieve the same results with clear, removable aligners custom-made for their growing mouth. They’re gentler on cheeks and gums, easier to keep clean, and — because they’re nearly invisible — much easier on your child’s self-esteem.

What Invisalign First can treat

• Dental crowding — creating room for permanent teeth as they erupt.
• Narrow arches — expanding the dental arch to prevent future crowding.
• Spacing issues — closing gaps that impact chewing or speech.
• Crossbites — correcting misaligned upper and lower teeth.
• Protruding teeth — reducing the risk of injury during sports and play.
• Tongue-thrust and thumb-sucking effects — retraining oral posture as teeth develop.

How treatment works

Your child’s Invisalign First journey begins with a friendly, no-pressure consultation. We take a quick 3D iTero® scan of your child’s teeth — no goopy impressions — and use it to build a precise digital model. From there, we design a custom set of aligners that address your child’s specific needs. Each aligner is worn 20–22 hours a day and changed every 1–2 weeks under our supervision.

Because Invisalign First uses staged movement, we can accommodate baby teeth that are still falling out and permanent teeth that are still erupting. The aligners feature small eruption compartments that leave room for new teeth to come in naturally, so treatment continues smoothly during this dynamic phase of growth.

Most Phase 1 cases take between 12 and 18 months. Your child will visit our Clifton office every 6 to 10 weeks for short, friendly progress checks. We’ll monitor growth, celebrate milestones, and adjust the plan when needed. Kids love watching their smile change — and love not having to worry about broken brackets or food restrictions.

Benefits of Invisalign for Kids

• Removable for meals — no restrictions on the foods they love.
• Easy to keep clean — kids just brush and floss like normal.
• Comfortable — smooth plastic instead of wires and brackets.
• Nearly invisible — supports confidence at school.
• Fewer emergencies — no broken wires or loose brackets.
• Fewer office visits — great for busy family schedules.

Is my child a candidate?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends every child receive an orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Even if treatment isn’t needed right away, an early evaluation lets us monitor development and intervene at exactly the right time. If Phase 1 treatment isn’t necessary, we’ll simply keep an eye on things until your child is ready — you’ll never be pressured into unnecessary care.

When you visit Invisalign of Clifton, we’ll take digital records, review your child’s dental history, and give you a straightforward recommendation. If Invisalign First is a good fit, we’ll walk you through timing, cost, and expected outcomes so you can make an informed decision.

What parents can expect from our office

Every kid at Invisalign of Clifton is treated like family. Our team is trained specifically in pediatric orthodontic care — we know how to talk to kids, how to make them feel comfortable, and how to keep parents fully informed. We’ll teach your child how to insert and remove their aligners, celebrate their progress with small rewards, and give you clear at-home instructions so you feel confident supporting their treatment.

We also make the financial side simple. Invisalign First is often more affordable than parents expect, and our transparent pricing includes every visit, every aligner, and post-treatment retainers — no surprise bills. In-house 0% financing plans make it easy to fit treatment into your family budget.

Ready to explore Invisalign First?

Give your child the gift of an easier orthodontic journey. Book a complimentary consultation with Invisalign of Clifton today — we’ll take a friendly look at your child’s smile, answer all your questions, and help you decide whether early treatment is the right next step.