Children’s Orthodontics – What You Need to Know
When you have a child, it is important to keep track of their oral health over time. Starting out young is key for early prevention of potential harm they can experience in the future. One significant example of this is seen in children’s orthodontics. At a young age, it is easier to spot and treat dental misalignment issues compared to an adult who is in need of braces or orthodontic care. Staying proactive and taking your child to an orthodontist when they are young could save you a lot of trouble in the long run. Do you have any questions or concerns regarding scheduling a children’s orthodontics appointment? If so, keep reading below for everything you need to know pertaining to children’s orthodontics.
Does My Child Need Braces?
Your child may benefit from braces in many different scenarios. Not all mouths and teeth are alike, so don’t expect your situation to be like another child’s. Since everybody’s teeth are different, this means all kids are susceptible to dental misalignment. Don’t ignore a visual oral problem just because your child is young, as it’s never too early to visit an orthodontist. A common misconception with braces and orthodontists is that children shouldn’t receive braces, as it won’t help them in the long run. Truthfully, the sooner you visit an orthodontist, the quicker you’ll be able to spot issues and take preventative measures. Some of the most common reasons that kids may require braces for proper dental alignment include but are not limited to overlapping teeth, crowded teeth, having an over or underbite, having crooked teeth, and there being incorrect jaw positioning. If you believe your child has any of these conditions, talk to an orthodontist today.
Braces Options
When you first picture braces, you may immediately think of the traditional metal brackets that are sealed with a composite onto your teeth. Thankfully, over time, many more options have become available in the children’s orthodontics industry. Let’s take a look at the most common braces options below.
Traditional Metal Braces
As mentioned above, the most common and cheapest form of braces is the traditional, metal version. Here, metal brackets are fixated on each tooth and connected with metal wires. These metal wires are tightened about every four to six weeks. This allows your children’s teeth to become slowly pulled together. One great aspect about traditional metal braces is they are fully customizable with different band colors that can be placed around each bracket. This gives your child full creative ability.
Ceramic Braces
Similar to the functionality of traditional metal braces, ceramic braces are also composited onto the teeth and connected with wires. The main difference between the two is the material, instead of being metal, is made of ceramic. This allows for a more invisible look, as the ceramic color matches the color of your teeth. This is better for children looking for a less-obvious look.
Aligner Retainers
For the most invisible look, the use of aligner retainers is potentially the most beneficial form of braces on this list. Thanks to modern technology, orthodontists were able to create a removable form of braces that act just like a retainer but push your teeth into place as well. The orthodontist will take images and scans of your child’s mouth and then reposition them graphically to get the perfect end shape. Every few weeks, you receive a new aligner tray that is shaped slightly different than the previous. This gradually shifts the alignment of your teeth. The best part? Your child can remove them when it’s time to eat and brush!
How Will My Child Benefit from Visiting an Orthodontist?
After visiting an orthodontist, your child will significantly benefit from the appointment or session. If it was determined that braces are necessary or would be helpful, your child’s self-confidence could significantly boost. Not only will their teeth be more effectively positioned for greater oral health, but they’ll look better too! Bring your child to visit an orthodontist if you’re noticing signs of dental misalignment.
Want to learn more about children’s orthodontics? Contact us today to arrange a free consultation for your child.
