Gentle, Clear Aligner Treatment for Growing Smiles
Every child’s smile tells a story of growth, and at Koh Orthodontics, we believe that story deserves the best possible start. If you’ve noticed crowding, an uneven bite, or a lingering thumb-sucking habit, Invisalign® Kids may be the gentle, modern solution you’ve been looking for.
Dr. Wuiteng Koh, Seattle’s top-rated Invisalign® provider, has spent more than three decades helping local families navigate every stage of orthodontic care, and early treatment holds a special place in his practice. With Invisalign® Kids, known clinically as Invisalign® First, your child can achieve guided jaw development and a straighter, healthier smile without the discomfort or visibility of traditional pediatric braces.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that every child have their first orthodontic check-up by age 7, even if all their baby teeth haven’t fallen out yet. At this age, Dr. Koh can often spot developing issues while there’s still room to guide growth. Consider scheduling a free consultation if your child shows any of the following:
If any of this sounds familiar, know that these are common concerns, and early evaluation simply gives you and Dr. Koh more options.
Guided Jaw Growth, Not Just Straighter Teeth
Because Invisalign® Kids treatment happens while your child’s mouth is still developing, Dr. Koh can help guide jaw and arch growth, creating space for incoming permanent teeth and often reducing the complexity (or need) for future orthodontic work.
Comfortable, Bracket-Free Treatment
Without metal brackets or wires, there’s nothing to poke cheeks or trap food. Aligners are custom-fit to your child’s growing mouth for a smooth, comfortable experience from day one.
Removable for Easy Hygiene & Real Kid Life
Because aligners come out completely, brushing and flossing stay simple, exactly as they always have. Your child can also remove aligners for sports, band or orchestra practice, and their favorite foods, without special accommodations.
Confidence-Building, Not Self-Conscious
Clear aligners are far less noticeable than metal braces, which matters to kids who are already navigating new social situations at school. Many parents tell us their child forgets they’re even in treatment.
Dr. Koh is proud to be a certified provider of the Invisalign® Palatal Expander System, a clinically proven, less intimidating alternative to traditional metal palatal expanders. Instead of a metal screw that requires daily manual adjustments at home, this system uses a series of custom, 3D-printed expanders that gradually and comfortably widen the palate, making room for adult teeth to erupt properly. For children ages 6 to 11 who need arch expansion, it can be combined with Invisalign® First for a complete, comfortable early-treatment solution.
Step 1: Complimentary Consultation & 3D Scan
Every journey starts with a conversation. Dr. Koh will examine your child’s teeth and jaw development and use our advanced iTero digital scanner to capture a precise, comfortable 3D model of their smile, no messy impressions required.
Step 2: A Custom Treatment Plan
Using that 3D scan, Dr. Koh builds a personalized treatment roadmap and shows you a digital preview of your child’s projected results before treatment even begins.
Step 3: Receive Custom Aligners
Your child’s aligners are crafted from Invisalign’s® SmartTrack® material for a precise, comfortable fit designed specifically for a growing mouth.
Step 4: Wear, Swap, Grow
Aligners are worn 20 to 22 hours a day and swapped for the next set in the series roughly every one to two weeks, gradually guiding teeth and jaw development.
Step 5: Track Progress With KohView Remote Monitoring
Between in-office visits, our exclusive KohView Remote Monitoring system lets Dr. Koh review your child’s progress through simple photos submitted from home, reducing unnecessary trips to our North Seattle office while keeping treatment on schedule.
Step 6: Transition to Phase 2 (If Needed) or a Retainer
Some children complete their orthodontic goals with Invisalign® Kids alone. Others benefit from a Phase 2 treatment, such as Invisalign® Teen or custom clear braces, once all permanent teeth have erupted. Either way, Dr. Koh will map out exactly what to expect well in advance.
Parents often ask how Invisalign® Kids compares to traditional braces for early treatment. Here’s an honest, side-by-side look:
Invisalign® Kids | Traditional Kids’ Braces | |
Visibility | Virtually invisible | Mild-to-moderate Phase 1 concerns in cooperative kids |
Removable | Yes, comes out for meals & brushing | No, fixed to the teeth |
Diet restrictions | None | Yes, sticky, hard, or chewy foods are off-limits |
Oral hygiene | Easy, aligners come out completely | More difficult around brackets & wires |
Comfort | Smooth plastic, no poking wires | Possible irritation from brackets |
Sports & instruments | Aligner-friendly, low interference | May require a mouthguard adjustment |
Office visits | Fewer, with KohView Remote Monitoring | Regular in-person adjustments |
Best for | Mild-to-moderate Phase 1 concerns in cooperative kids | More complex skeletal or bite issues |
If your child’s case involves more complex skeletal or bite issues, Dr. Koh may recommend traditional braces for kids or custom clear braces using LightForce® 3D-printed technology instead. He’ll walk you through the best path forward at your consultation; there’s no one-size-fits-all treatment here.
We know that shuttling to and from appointments is one more thing on a busy family’s schedule. KohView Remote Monitoring, powered by Invisalign® Virtual Care, lets Dr. Koh personally review your child’s aligner progress using simple photos submitted from home between visits. It’s a modern, convenient way to keep treatment on track while cutting down on time out of school and out of your day.
We believe a remarkable smile should be accessible. Koh Orthodontics offers Flexible Treatment Tiers so you can choose the level of care and investment that makes sense for your family. During your complimentary consultation, Dr. Koh will walk you through clear pricing and timeline expectations, no surprises. We also work with most major dental insurance providers and offer flexible financing options, and early treatment can often reduce the complexity and cost of orthodontic care down the road.
As one Seattle parent shared: “Great explanation of progress and next steps. We appreciate the good communication. Assistants are very accommodating to young kids’ color choices, even when very prescriptive!” – Andrea B., via Google
You don’t have to guess whether now is the right time. Whether you’ve noticed a developing bite issue or simply want a professional opinion, the first step is a conversation, and it’s on us.
At Koh Orthodontics, we’ll take the time to understand your concerns, show you what’s possible with a 3D smile preview, and walk you through every option with complete transparency. Contact us and schedule your child’s complimentary Invisalign® Kids consultation today.
Invisalign® Kids (Invisalign® First) is generally recommended for children ages 6 to 10 who still have a mix of baby and permanent teeth. Candidacy depends on your child’s specific dental development rather than age alone, so the best way to know for sure is a complimentary evaluation with Dr. Koh, who can assess whether your child would benefit from early treatment now or is better suited to wait.
Yes. “Invisalign® Kids” is simply how many parents search for and refer to Invisalign® First, Align Technology’s official clear aligner system designed specifically for growing children in Phase 1, or early interceptive treatment. At Koh Orthodontics, we use the official Invisalign® First product to deliver this care.
Unlike traditional metal braces, Invisalign® Kids aligners are clear, custom-made, and fully removable. That means easier brushing and flossing, no food restrictions, and a more comfortable experience without brackets or wires. For the right candidate, it can achieve similar early treatment goals with a more kid-friendly experience day to day.
Some children complete their orthodontic goals with Invisalign® Kids alone, while others go on to a Phase 2 treatment, like Invisalign® Teen or braces, once all their permanent teeth have erupted. Early treatment often makes Phase 2 shorter and simpler when it is needed. Dr. Koh will discuss your child’s likely path during the initial consultation and reassess as they grow.
Most Phase 1 treatment with Invisalign® Kids takes roughly 9 to 12 months, though timelines vary based on your child’s specific needs and how consistently the aligners are worn. Dr. Koh will map out a realistic timeline for your child’s case at the consultation, before treatment begins.