Braces for Kids and Teens If you are the parent of a child, you may be dreading the day your child or teen has to get braces. However, the earlier you begin treatment the shorter the amount of time they might have to wear them. Starting treatment young means shorter treatment time, less discomfort, and better results. Children and teens can benefit from orthodontic care as young as 7 years old. If you think your child or teen might need braces, but you don't know where to start, come in for free consultation and let Senestraro Family Orthodontics give you the facts about braces for kids and teens.Why Do Kids and Teens Need Braces?Kids and teens need braces for the same reasons that adults need braces, like to correct problems with a bite, to correct crooked teeth, or to correct spacing or crowding with teeth. Research has found that the earlier treatment begins the better for children age 7 and above. That's because a child's mouth is still growing and things can be accomplished at age 8 that can not be done at age 13. Teens are growing rapidly and because of this much more bite correction and alignment can be achieved, treatment time is quicker, and results are better than in adults. Orthodontists find that many problems can be corrected early. When a problem is corrected early, children and teens often do not need more invasive treatment, later in life. How Do I Know When Orthodontics Might Be Necessary?The easiest way to know if braces are needed for your child or teen is to come into our office for a complimentary consultation appointment. That way, we can evaluate the need for braces in you or your family member. Are there are some signs that your child or teen might need orthodontic care? If your child lost teeth early or late, or they sucked their thumb or a pacifier for a long time, they may need care. Children and teens might also need care if they are breathing through their mouth while they sleep, if they snore, or if they have sleep apnea. Does your child have problems biting, chewing, or eating? Do their jaws seem to shift or pop? Do you notice that your child's teeth are not spaced correctly? Do they seem too crowded or too spaced apart? Do their teeth not meet each other correctly? All of these signs point to teeth that need treatment. What Kinds of Braces Are Available for Kids and Teens?To determine what kind of braces your child needs, you will need to make an appointment with us, so that we can evaluate the needs of your child. Usually, kids and teens benefit from traditional braces but in many cases, they can be treated with Invisalign®. More complex cases and early treatment/phase I treatment usually requires treatment with braces. While children and teens might not want traditional braces, the look of braces has changed significantly and many patients are excited to get braces and the results they will bring. Both brackets and bands come in different colors. The metals themselves are also far more lightweight. In addition to traditional braces, your child might be able to wear lingual braces. Rather than wearing braces on the tops of the teeth, your child could wear the braces behind the teeth. This is beneficial for people who need braces on only a few teeth. Remember it is recommended that all children age 7 and above have an orthodontic consultation. If you think you have a child who needs braces, give Senestraro Family Orthodontics a call at (503) 228-1945. We would love to evaluate your child and come up with a great treatment plan! |
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