At some point, you may discover your child needs braces. It’s not unusual. During this day and age, when braces and other orthodontic treatments have become more financially accessible, most teenagers go through the social and physical torture of having their teeth straightened.
Your dentist will be able to determine the need for braces based on oral conditions, such as spacing, crowding, or bite. In the event that your child does, in fact, need braces, you will be sent for a consultation with a pediatric orthodontist for specialized care in correcting and straightening teeth.
What are the Benefits of the Treatment for my Child?
Problems with spacing or crowding of the teeth can lead to a lifetime of problems if not corrected early. These problems can affect eating or speech, cause difficulty with proper flossing and brushing (leading to tooth decay), and—in some cases—cause intense pain and discomfort.
Measures can be taken to correct problems even before all of the baby teeth have been replaced with permanent ones. The softer bones of young children can be expanded using orthodontic techniques to prevent crowding and improve spacing. Braces can be used to implement the desired changes in older children who have all of their permanent teeth. The braces apply gentle and constant pressure to the teeth and bones to correct alignment.
Essentially, braces have many benefits, but mostly help make your or your child’s mouth beautiful and healthy.
How Long Does the Treatment Last?
Each child is different, as are the types of possible problems. Because orthodontic treatment is tailored to treat individual problems, the timeline for braces varies. It may be anywhere from six months to three or four years. There are a number of options, including retainers and night braces, which also alter the length of the treatment.
The length of time for treatment and types of orthodontic appliances will be determined by how successful initial treatment is. In some cases more aesthetic methods can be used, such as the product Invisalign. Cost of treatment will also vary depending on the seriousness of your child’s issues and the type of techniques used.
