Child Invisalign in Fulham

Invisalign First is a clear aligner treatment created specifically for children aged 6 to 10. At this age their jaws are still developing, and not all adult teeth have come through. Invisalign First gently guides teeth and creates the right amount of space for permanent teeth to grow in properly.

At NHS Dentist in Fulham, we’ve seen how starting treatment this early not only prevents future complications, but also gives children a big boost in confidence as they see their smiles improving. Parents often tell us it feels like they’re getting ahead of problems rather than waiting until they’re harder to fix.

Invisalign First is specially designed for younger children while regular Invisalign is made for teens and adults. The key difference is in how carefully the teeth are moved. With children we’re often working with baby teeth, so Invisalign First applies very gentle, controlled forces; just enough to guide the teeth, but not enough to cause early tooth loss or damage.

Unlike traditional (Train Tracks) braces which can’t always be placed safely on baby teeth, Invisalign First can guide them without risk. It also adapts to teeth that are still erupting, meaning your child doesn’t need to wait until every adult tooth is through. Parents often wonder if losing baby teeth during treatment will cause problems, but they’re always reassured when we explain that it doesn’t matter, even if a baby tooth is lost a little early, the aligner simply holds the space for the adult tooth to come through.

Most children can start treatment at around 6 or 7 years old once we can see the first signs of orthodontic issues. At this age we can use the natural growth of the jaw to our advantage, guiding teeth and creating space before problems get more complicated.

Starting treatment early means small issues don’t have the chance to turn into bigger problems. It can prevent the need for extractions later, reduce the length of treatment in the teenage years, and improve both appearance and confidence. Parents at NHS Dentist in Fulham often tell us they see their children smiling more, even at school, once treatment begins. For families it’s also the peace of mind that they’ve acted at the right time to make future treatment easier and more effective.

Invisalign First can help many children with developing orthodontic concerns. It is often suitable if your child has:

• Crowding: teeth overlapping or not having enough space
• Overbite: upper teeth sticking out further than the lips
• Thumb-sucking or mouth breathing habits: which can affect how teeth and jaws grow
• Snoring or teeth grinding at night: sometimes linked to dental or jaw issues

In simple terms, if your child’s teeth look crowded, stick out too far, or they have habits that affect how their smile is developing, Invisalign First may be the right choice. At NHS Dentist in Fulham we’ll always take time to explain whether your child is a good candidate and what benefits they can expect.

Yes, Invisalign First is FDA-approved and clinically proven to treat a wide range of orthodontic concerns such as spacing, crowding and narrow arches. The aligners use very light, precise movements, so they’re safe for both baby and adult teeth.

At NHS Dentist in Fulham, we’ve treated many children with Invisalign First, and families often tell us they’re surprised at how quickly their child adapts and how noticeable the improvements are. It’s a safe and effective way to set the foundation for a healthy smile.

Yes, the aligners are smooth, custom-fitted and removable, which makes them much more comfortable than traditional metal braces. Children can eat, brush and floss normally without the discomfort of wires or brackets.

At NHS Dentist in Fulham, we’ve even had patients who were told elsewhere on the NHS that they would need teeth extracted. Those same children went on to complete their treatment with us as teenagers, using clear aligners, without having a single tooth removed. Stories like these are why so many families feel reassured choosing Invisalign First, it’s a gentler, more comfortable and often less invasive option.

Invisalign appointments are structured in stages to keep everything organised and easy to follow.

1. Consultation appointment, where we assess your child’s teeth, growth and suitability for Invisalign First.
2. Invisalign fit, which is when treatment officially starts, and your child receives their first set of aligners.
3. Review appointments, which are case-dependent and vary from child to child. Some children are seen every 6–8 weeks, others every 8–12 weeks, and in some cases, reviews can be scheduled even less often. If extra support is needed, we can bring your child in sooner.
4. Final appointment, where we remove any attachments and complete the process.

At NHS Dentist in Fulham, we also use Dental Monitoring, a smartphone app that allows us to track your child’s progress virtually. Parents take regular photos of their child’s smile with and without the aligners, and we review them remotely. This means fewer in-person visits are needed, making treatment more convenient for busy families and less disruptive for children during school time.

Treatment time varies depending on your child’s needs, but most cases last between 6 and 18 months. Because the aligners are designed for growing mouths, they can often achieve results faster than parents expect.

At NHS Dentist in Fulham, we create a personalised plan for every child and keep families updated at each visit, so there are no surprises along the way.

Invisalign First is often the first phase of treatment. Once all of the permanent teeth have come through, your child may need a second phase such as Invisalign Teen or braces. The good news is that early treatment makes this stage much simpler and often shorter.

Many parents who choose Invisalign First at our practice say they’re glad they invested early because it saves their child from more complex treatment later.

NHS orthodontic waiting lists can often take years, and at the moment the wait is typically around 18 months just to start treatment. By the time your child is seen their orthodontic issues may have worsened. If they’ve already passed their key growth spurt it becomes harder to guide teeth and bone movement, which can mean more complex treatment later. In some cases, this leads to extractions, sometimes two or even four premolars just to make space. While this may seem like a quick fix, it ultimately means your child is losing healthy teeth.

It’s also important to note that NHS orthodontic treatment only offers fixed metal braces, with no option for clear aligners. Clear aligners like Invisalign First are only available privately. That’s why many families at NHS Dentist in Fulham choose to start treatment with us early, when changes are easier, outcomes are better, and children can benefit from a gentler and more discreet alternative.

Many parents worry that their child won’t wear their aligners properly, or that they’ll lose them, and that this will affect the treatment. In reality children are usually much more responsible than we expect. When they are conscious of their smile and excited about seeing it improve, they often put in the effort to keep their aligners in as instructed.

At NHS Dentist in Fulham we also use Dental Monitoring, which means the responsibility doesn’t fall entirely on parents. With the app we can check how often the aligners are being worn, and if a child isn’t keeping up we’ll bring them in more often, talk it through with them, and give extra support. This makes children feel more involved and helps them understand the importance of wearing their aligners.

We have never had a child discontinue treatment simply because they weren’t wearing their aligners. With the right guidance and encouragement, they adapt quickly and stay motivated.