Orthodontic care has been changing and improving over time, resulting in a range of braces for kids designed to suit different needs and preferences. Here’s everything you need to know about kids braces, starting from why your child might need them to the different types available.
Why Might Kids Need Braces?
Orthodontic treatment, including braces for kids, is often used to correct oral health issues that may affect your child’s ability to eat, speak, or maintain good oral hygiene. Common reasons children need braces include overcrowded or overlapping teeth, overbites, underbites, and issues related to premature or late loss of baby teeth. Correcting these problems early can prevent more severe complications down the line.
Signs Your Child May Need Braces
Parents often wonder what signs to look for to determine if their child might need braces. While an orthodontic evaluation is the best way to confirm this, a few indications suggest your child might benefit from braces. Some dental issues that may indicate that your child needs orthodontic treatment include:
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- Loss of baby teeth too early or too late
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- Difficulty chewing or biting
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- Mouth breathing
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- Thumb or finger sucking
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- Crowded teeth, misplaced, or blocked-out permanent teeth
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- Jaws that shift, make sounds, protrude, or are recessed
If your child is exhibiting any of these signs, schedule an appointment for an orthodontic screening.
Misalignment Issues Orthodontic Treatment Can Correct
Braces for kids can correct a variety of bad bite issues. These include:
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- Crooked teeth: The teeth grow in at an angle or not straight.
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- Overbite: The upper front teeth protrude over the lower front teeth.
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- Underbite: The lower front teeth protrude over the upper front teeth.
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- Crossbite: When biting normally, the upper teeth do not slightly come down in front of the lower teeth.
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- Open bite: The upper and lower front teeth do not overlap, leading to a gap straight into the mouth.
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- Misplaced midline: The arrangement of teeth in the upper and lower arch do not match.
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- Overcrowded teeth: There are too many teeth for the dental ridge to accommodate.
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- Spacing: There are gaps or spaces between the teeth, often as a result of missing teeth or teeth that do not fill-up the mouth.
Benefits of Braces for Kids
Braces for kids can offer a wide range of benefits, both in the short term and long term.
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- Improved Oral Health: Misaligned teeth can make it difficult to maintain good oral hygiene, leading to cavities, tooth decay, and gum disease. Braces help to straighten teeth, making it easier to clean all surfaces effectively.
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- Enhanced Appearance: One of the most noticeable benefits of braces is the significant improvement they can make to a child’s smile. This can boost their self-esteem and confidence knowing that they have a beautiful smile.
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- Preventing Future Dental Issues: By correcting misalignment in childhood, braces can help prevent a host of future dental problems, ensuring that your child has healthy teeth into adulthood.
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- Improved Speech: Misaligned teeth or a malpositioned jaw can affect a child’s speech. By correcting these issues, orthodontic treatment for children can help improve speech problems caused by misalignment.
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- Improved Digestion: Properly aligned teeth improve chewing efficiency, which can in turn enhance digestion.
Types of Braces for Kids
You have a number of options when it comes to the types of braces that are available for children. From traditional metal braces to newer technology like clear removable aligners, your pediatric dentist or orthodontic specialist can help you determine the right type of braces to correct your child’s orthodontic issues.
Traditional Metal Braces
Traditional braces are one of the most commonly used type of braces for children. They have been used for decades and continue to be a popular choice due to their effectiveness and affordability.
Traditional metal braces are made up of three main components:
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- Metal Brackets: These small metal pieces are bonded directly onto the front surface of each tooth.
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- Archwire: This thin metal wire runs through each bracket. It applies constant pressure on the teeth, guiding them into their correct positions.
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- Ligature Elastics or Bands: Often referred to as “O-rings,” these tiny colored rubber bands are used to hold the archwire onto the brackets. These are the parts that can often be customized with different colors.
Pros: These are the most affordable and effective at treating severe alignment issues.
Cons: They are the most noticeable type and may cause discomfort initially.
Ceramic Braces
Ceramic braces are a type of orthodontic device similar in design to traditional braces, but with a significant difference in material and aesthetics. Ceramic braces consist of brackets made from a clear or tooth-colored ceramic material rather than the metallic components of traditional braces. The ceramic brackets are designed to blend in with the natural color of your teeth, making them less noticeable compared to metal braces. The archwire that connects the brackets may also be clear or white to further enhance the aesthetic appeal of this style of braces.
Pros: Less visible than metal as they blend in with the teeth.
Cons: The cost of treatment is more expensive than metal braces, and the brackets may stain if not cared for properly.
Clear Aligners (Such as Invisalign)
Clear removable braces, such as Invisalign, are a relatively modern orthodontic treatment option that provides a virtually invisible method of straightening permanent teeth. They’re a popular choice among teens and adults due to their discreet nature and convenience.
Clear aligners are custom-made, removable appliances that fit snugly over the teeth. They’re made from a clear, flexible plastic material, making them almost invisible when worn. Unlike traditional braces, there are no wires or brackets involved. Instead, a series of aligners are created, each one designed to move the teeth incrementally into a straighter position until the desired alignment is achieved.
Pros: Nearly invisible, removable for eating and cleaning, and cause less discomfort.
Cons: More expensive, require disciplined use, and not suitable for severe cases.
Each of these options has its strengths and weaknesses, and the best choice depends on the child’s needs, your budget, and the child’s willingness to cooperate with the treatment plan.
In conclusion, kids braces are a potent tool in correcting misalignment issues early and preventing future oral health complications. If you suspect your child may need braces, consult with an orthodontist to get an accurate diagnosis and explore the best treatment options available
Do you have questions about braces for kids? Contact us today!
If you have concerns or questions about braces for your child, don’t hesitate to reach out to us. Our team of experienced orthodontists can provide you with the information and guidance you need to make the best decision for your child’s dental health. We understand that braces can be a big investment and a major decision, and we want to ensure you have all the information you need to feel confident in your choice. Schedule an orthodontic appointment today and take the first step towards a straighter smile for your child.