CHILDREN AND BRACES

About children and braces

Children and adolescents are ideal candidates for orthodontic treatment.
Because the jaws are soft and still growing, a young patient’s smile is especially receptive to re-alignment.
In addition to enhanced aesthetics, the smile also offers significant health benefits, such as improved speech and better access to oral hygiene.

When should you see an orthodontist?

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a visit to the orthodontist at age 7 (or earlier if there are asymmetries in the mouth or face).
Early intervention allows us to guide jaw development, ensuring that permanent teeth are aligned.
We do this by creating more space where teeth are crowded and adjusting the size of the jaws.
This helps prevent teeth cavities and other costly and painful complications later in life.
What causes tooth crowding?
Most occlusion problems are inherited, but they can also be caused or exacerbated by habits and behaviors common in young children, such as finger sucking, excessive pacifier use, poor diet and poor oral hygiene.

Diagnosis

To find out if your child will benefit from braces, some painless diagnostic procedures need to be done.
This initial phase may include panoramic X-rays, occlusal scanning and digital imaging of the head, neck and jaws.
These steps also help us decide on the best treatment option for your child.

Therapeutic treatment

Nowadays, braces have become a daily routine for more and more children.
One could say that they are a fashion.
For this reason, the embarrassment factor is low compared to the past and we therefore often use traditional metal braces on children.
Colorful elastics are added, giving children a new and fun way to express themselves!
However, as a child moves into adolescence, they may request a more discreet method of treatment, such as clear aligners or clear ceramic braces.
We are here to make your child’s orthodontic experience as comfortable and successful as possible.
Please call us for more information.