Orthodontic treatment is essential for the oral health and appearance of your child’s teeth. According to the American Association of Orthodontists, children should get their first orthodontic screening by the age of 7. An orthodontic evaluation when your child still has baby teeth can allow easier corrections and better adjustment of the developing mouth.
Children’s orthodontics can address any ongoing or potential issues at early stages to avoid a negative outcome on the development of permanent teeth.
What Does an Orthodontist Do?
An orthodontist works to improve the appearance and alignment of your child’s teeth. Many parents believe that orthodontic treatments are purely for aesthetics, but these treatments can also help prevent serious problems such as gum diseases and tooth decay.
Straighter and aligned teeth are easier to brush and floss and hence promote better oral hygiene. Orthodontists can identify, treat and prevent dental irregularities such as crowded and crooked teeth, misaligned jaw, bite, and other teeth abnormalities. After a thorough evaluation, your orthodontist can evaluate which treatment is suitable for your child.
Why Does Your Child Need Orthodontic Treatment?
Many factors depend on whether your child needs orthodontic treatment. These include late or early loss of primary teeth, mouth breathing, speech pathology, sleep apnea, prolonged thumb sucking, abnormally closing jaws and teeth, out-of-proportion jaws, and difficulty biting and chewing.
Orthodontics can help address mal-positioned teeth and fix them using braces and other methods. Some of the problems that can be resolved through braces are:
- Gaps between teeth
- Overly crowded or misaligned teeth
- Open bite corrections
- Overbite issues
- Crossbite
- Underbite corrections
Orthodontics for Adolescents
The braces trend is common among teens because this is when almost all permanent teeth are fully developed. Most orthodontic treatments happen during middle school to give your child a more confident smile during their high school years.
Types of Braces
Due to advancements in orthodontics, there are various options available to correct misaligned teeth. Your orthodontist can assess the type of treatment that best suits your child’s needs. Some commonly used braces include:
Metal Braces
Metal braces were once the most widely used orthodontics treatment and have been around for over 100 years. These braces are made from metal brackets glued to the surface of the teeth and joined with an archwire. They apply constant pressure on the teeth to move them to their desired position. These are the most affordable but also the least aesthetically pleasing.
Ceramic Braces
These are similar to the traditional metal braces except they have clear or tooth-colored brackets, which are less noticeable. Ceramic braces work the same way as metal braces with brackets glued to the teeth and a wire used to connect the brackets and apply pressure until the teeth move into position. These are suitable for adolescents who wish to keep their braces low-key and discreet.
Clear Aligners
These are the latest innovation in orthodontics and the most aesthetically pleasing option available. Clear or invisible aligners are transparent trays fitted to the size and shape of your child’s mouth. These trays are removable and need to change every two weeks to move the teeth to their desired position. Clear aligners are more comfortable and discreet than any other orthodontics treatment.
If your child has misaligned or crowded teeth and has difficulty chewing their food, you should visit an orthodontist for an evaluation as soon as possible. Contact our office to schedule your orthodontic evaluation today.