Invisalign for Kids in Duluth, MN
We guide your child's jaw and teeth while they're still growing, with clear aligners and a removable expander.
Mount Royal Dental is an Invisalign Platinum Provider, and Dr. Camille Zelen, RN, DDS, AAACD, plans every child's case and checks it at every visit.
Key highlights
- Invisalign for kids uses clear aligners and expanders to guide teeth and jaws during growth.
- The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check no later than age 7.
- We treat children as young as four when an exam shows they'll benefit.
- The Invisalign Palatal Expander is FDA-cleared for growing children, and kids can take it out to brush.
- Early treatment can make room for adult teeth and widen a narrow upper jaw.
- We pair expansion with myofunctional therapy when mouth breathing or tongue posture is part of the problem.
What is Invisalign for kids?
Invisalign for kids is early orthodontic treatment for growing children that uses clear aligners and a removable palatal expander to widen the upper jaw, make room for adult teeth, and guide the bite.
Orthodontists call this early stage Phase 1 treatment. The point of Phase 1 is to work with growth while it's happening. A child's upper jaw is still two halves joined by a flexible seam, and that seam responds to gentle pressure. Once it fuses in the teen years, widening the jaw gets much harder.
Phase 1 doesn't always mean a perfect smile at age nine. Often it means a child who no longer needs teeth pulled later, or whose teen treatment is shorter and simpler because the hard part is done.
When should my child get checked?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check no later than age 7. By then, kids have a mix of baby and adult teeth, and problems with crowding and bite start to show.
A check isn't the same as starting treatment. Most kids we see at this age just need monitoring, and we tell parents that plainly. The visit gives us a baseline, and it gives you peace of mind.
We sometimes see kids earlier, as young as four, when a parent notices a crossbite, a narrow palate, or mouth breathing. Those are the cases where growing jaws respond best to early help, and where waiting until seven can mean a harder fix.
Signs your child may need early treatment
Red flags
- Crowded or overlapping teeth, even baby teeth
- No gaps between baby teeth, which can mean no room for adult teeth
- A narrow, high palate
- Top teeth that sit inside the bottom teeth (crossbite)
- Mouth breathing, snoring, or grinding at night
- Thumb sucking or pacifier use past the toddler years
- Losing baby teeth very early or very late
The gap one surprises parents. Baby teeth are supposed to have spaces between them, because adult teeth are bigger and need the room. Tight baby teeth usually mean crowded adult teeth are coming.
Early treatment vs. waiting for braces
| Early treatment (Phase 1) | Waiting until the teen years | |
|---|---|---|
| When | While the jaw is still growing | After most adult teeth are in |
| Main goal | Guide jaw growth, make room for teeth | Straighten teeth that are already in |
| Can widen the upper jaw | Yes, more easily | Harder once growth slows |
| Best for | Crossbites, narrow palates, severe crowding | Mild crowding with a healthy bite |
| Later treatment | Sometimes a shorter Phase 2 | Full treatment at once |
Not every child needs early treatment, and treating a child who doesn't need it costs money and patience for no gain. Our job is to tell you which column fits your child and why.
Invisalign Palatal Expander vs. a metal expander
| Invisalign Palatal Expander | Traditional bonded expander | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | A series of removable, 3D-printed trays | A metal appliance cemented to the back teeth |
| Brushing | Comes out to brush and floss | Stays in; brush around it |
| Adjusting | Switch to the next tray | Parents turn a small screw |
| Myo exercises | Comes out for therapy exercises | Stays in during exercises |
| When we use it | Most kids who need expansion | Kids who need a fixed appliance |
The FDA cleared the Invisalign Palatal Expander System in December 2023 for growing children, teens, and adults. We offer both, and we'll recommend the one that fits your child. A child who won't keep trays in does better with a fixed expander, and we'd rather say that upfront than discover it two months in.
Invisalign First vs. braces for young kids
| Invisalign First | Early braces | |
|---|---|---|
| Look | Clear trays | Brackets and wires |
| Eating | Trays come out to eat | Avoid sticky and hard foods |
| Brushing | Normal brushing | Brush around brackets |
| Needs | Wearing trays most of the day | No daily habit to keep |
Invisalign First is designed for kids with a mix of baby and adult teeth. It handles crowding, spacing, and arch width, and it can guide teeth that haven't fully come in yet. If your child won't keep trays in, we'll talk openly about whether a fixed option fits better.
Is early treatment right for your child?
Early treatment is likely to help
- Crossbite, narrow palate, or no room for adult teeth
- Mouth breathing or snoring with a narrow jaw
- Severe crowding that will likely need extractions later
Let's talk it through first
- Mild crowding with a normal palate
- Thumb sucking that's winding down on its own
- A child who may not wear removable trays yet
Watch and wait
- Teeth look fine and the bite is healthy
- Baby teeth with healthy spaces between them
- Under four with no breathing or bite concerns
Watching and waiting is a real recommendation, and we make it often. We'll check again in six months and start when the timing is right.
What we do, and what we don't
What we do
We screen growing kids for jaw and bite problems, plan and treat Phase 1 cases with Invisalign First and palatal expanders, and pair treatment with myofunctional therapy when breathing or tongue posture is part of the picture. Dr. Zelen plans every case and checks it at every visit.
What we don't
We don't start treatment on a child who only needs monitoring, and we don't promise that Phase 1 means no treatment later. Many kids need a shorter Phase 2 once adult teeth come in. We also don't diagnose sleep disorders. If your child's snoring points to a medical sleep problem, we'll say so and work with your pediatrician.
How early treatment works, step by step
- 01The scan.We take a quick digital scan of your child's teeth and palate. No goopy impressions, and most kids think the wand is fun. We also take photos and look at how your child breathes, swallows, and holds the tongue at rest.
- 02The plan.Dr. Zelen maps the expansion and any tooth movement on the scan and shows you the projected result. You'll see whether your child needs expansion, aligners, or both, how long each stage runs, and what it costs, in writing. If the answer is "not yet," we schedule a recheck instead.
- 03Starting the appliance.Your child picks up the first expander trays or Invisalign First aligners. We practice putting them in and taking them out together, go over wear time, and give your child a case for school. For a bonded expander, we cement it on and show you how to turn it.
- 04Check-ins.Short visits every few weeks with the same dentist who planned the case. We check fit, progress, and wear, and hand out the next set of trays. Kids who are also in myofunctional therapy see their therapist on a parallel schedule.
- 05Holding the result.After expansion, the new width needs time to stabilize while bone fills in. Your child wears a retainer or holding appliance, and we keep checking as adult teeth come in.
- 06Next steps.Some kids finish here. Others need a second, shorter phase once all the adult teeth are in. We'll tell you which is likely at the start and update you as your child grows.
What a typical plan looks like
Here's a common path for a seven-year-old with a narrow palate and crowding. Your child's plan will differ, but the shape is similar.
| Stage | What happens |
|---|---|
| Months 1 to 3 | Expansion with the Invisalign Palatal Expander, new trays every few days, myofunctional exercises alongside |
| Months 3 to 6 | Holding phase while the widened palate stabilizes |
| Months 6 to 12 | Invisalign First aligners to align front teeth and guide erupting teeth |
| After Phase 1 | Retainer, checkups every six months, recheck for Phase 2 around age 12 |
Why we look at breathing, too
A narrow upper jaw often goes hand in hand with mouth breathing and low tongue posture.
When the tongue rests low, it gives the upper jaw less support as it grows. Widening the jaw makes room, and retraining the tongue helps that room stay. Expansion without the tongue retraining is one reason some kids' results relapse.
That's why our hygienists Naomi VonRueden, RDH, and Janelle Soukkala, RDH, check how your child breathes and swallows. They run Duluth's first myofunctional therapy program, and we pair their exercises with expansion when it helps the result hold.
Helping your child wear aligners
Aligners only work when kids wear them. Here's what helps most families.
- Make it part of the routine. Trays out for meals, brush, trays back in.
- Use the case. Most lost trays end up in a napkin at lunch.
- Check in at bedtime. A quick look keeps small slips from becoming habits.
- Let us help. We coach your child at pickup and check fit at every visit.
Kids who understand why they're wearing the trays do better than kids who are just told to. We explain it to them in their own words at the first visit.
Cost and financing
The cost depends on whether your child needs expansion, aligners, or both, and how long treatment runs. You'll get a written cost after the scan.
Many dental plans include some orthodontic coverage for kids. We file claims on your behalf and offer interest-free CareCredit plans. Financing options
Invisalign for kids FAQ
What age can a child start Invisalign?
Children can start Invisalign as young as four when an exam shows early expansion or guidance will help. Many kids start a little later, once a few adult front teeth come in.
When should my child have a first orthodontic check?
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check no later than age 7. Come in sooner if you notice crowding, a crossbite, or mouth breathing.
Is the Invisalign Palatal Expander safe for kids?
The FDA cleared the Invisalign Palatal Expander System for growing children, teens, and adults. We monitor every stage at check-ins.
Does a palatal expander hurt?
A palatal expander causes pressure for a day or two after each new tray or turn, and most kids get used to it quickly.
Will my child need braces later?
Some kids finish after early treatment, and others need a second, shorter phase once adult teeth erupt. Early treatment often makes that second phase simpler.
How do I know my child will wear the aligners?
Most kids wear aligners well when they understand why. We coach your child at pickup and check fit at every visit, and if trays aren't working, we'll suggest a fixed option.
Do you also treat teens?
We treat teens and adults with Invisalign comprehensive treatment.
Where can I find Invisalign for kids near me in the Duluth area?
Mount Royal Dental offers Invisalign First and the Invisalign Palatal Expander for kids at our office on Woodland Avenue in Duluth, MN, and families come from Hermantown, Superior, Two Harbors, and Cloquet. Call (218) 464-5222 to book a scan.
Invisalign for kids on Woodland Avenue
Mount Royal Dental sits at 1624 Woodland Avenue, Duluth, MN 55803, at the corner of Woodland and St. Marie, next to the Mount Royal Shopping Center near UMD.
Monday 8 to 3, Tuesday through Thursday 8 to 4:30, Friday closed. Call (218) 464-5222.
