Braces Options for Child Orthodontics - Hardy Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics

Braces Options for Child Orthodontics

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child orthodontics

There are many braces options available to adults today: traditional metal braces, lingual braces, clear ceramic braces and Invisalign. However, millions of children need braces as well. Child orthodontics are very important for correcting orthodontic issues such as bite and alignment (or malocclusion). Children should have their first orthodontic visit between ages 7 and 8. This can help the progression of orthodontic issues that are present before a child’s jaw stops forming and growing. After this care, a child will receive orthodontic care to straighten the teeth in their early adolescent years. What options do children and adolescents have when it comes to braces? Are traditional metal braces the only choice? FInd out why child orthodontics is important and what braces options are available to children.

 

A Straighter Smile

Did you know that a person’s smile can directly affect how they feel about themselves and how they perceive others feel about them? There have been many studies conducted to determine perception between straight smiles and crooked smiles. In every study, those with straighter smiles were perceived to be smarter, more successful, and more attractive. That’s one of the reasons more and more teenagers and adults are opting to receive braces. Even if some don’t want to admit it, people are often judged by their appearance. First impressions can say a lot, and for a child, you want that first impression to be…well…impressive!

 

Children who receive braces while young can correct many issues with bite, alignment, and the placement of their teeth. For a child, this can really give them a leg up when starting off a school year, making friends, or simply being more confident in class. Studies show that a straighter, better smile makes people more confident—even children. As a parent, you want to give your child all the opportunities you can, even if it’s simply the opportunity to have a better day. You can do that through child orthodontics.

 

Why Child Orthodontics?

Some parents notice bite and alignment problems early-on in children. Others don’t know that child orthodontics is even an option. To make the guessing game easier in deciding if your child needs child orthodontics, we can give your child a comprehensive orthodontic exam to see the health of their teeth and mouth. The American Association of Orthodontics recommends that children first see their orthodontist between ages 7 and 8. This is a time when bite and alignment problems are detectable and when the teeth are changing. Children will lose their baby teeth around this time (or even earlier), and the permanent teeth will begin to grow in.

 

An orthodontist can correct bite and alignment problems in children when the jaw is still forming, and before problems become severe later on in life. Bite and alignment problems can lead to speech impediments and problems biting, chewing, speaking, eating, and more if not treated. When treated early, problems are much easier to correct. An orthodontist can also ensure that permanent teeth come in correctly once the baby teeth have all fallen out. Then, a child will receive orthodontic treatment once more to straighten the permanent teeth. Child orthodontics can make a teen’s time with braces shorter in many cases.

 

Options for Children

In the past, traditional metal braces were the only option that children had to straighten their teeth. At our office, we offer several aesthetic dentistry options that can render your child’s braces practically invisible. That’s something that some children love, as braces are not something that every child wears. However, studies show that many children have higher self-esteem when their smile is healthy and straight. Orthodontic appliances can do that for your child. We office clear braces with clear brackets that can be customized to mimic the color of your child’s teeth. However, we place bands around each bracket to help keep them in place and to make the rough edges of brackets softer.

 

Your child can choose to have clear elastics to go with their clear braces. With some children, they want their braces to stand out, so we give your child the ability to introduce color into their smile with colored bands. We have many colors to choose from that will allow your child to choose one color or to mix and match many of them. For very special events, we can actually remove the wire used for traditional braces to give an almost-invisible look for photos. Traditional metal braces or clear braces are the options available to children to straighten their teeth. The older those children get, the more options are available to them with Invisalign, Invisalign Teen and lingual braces.

 

Your Free Consultation

Whether you are a child or an adult, straightening your teeth can do wonders for your self-esteem, self-image and your confidence. Children who receive child orthodontics have a much better chance of having a shorter time with braces when they get their permanent teeth. Child orthodontics can also eliminate problems with speech impediments, and difficulties biting, chewing, talking and more. If your child hasn’t visited an orthodontist yet, or if you would like to know more, call Hardy Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics today at (720) 887-6003!