Benefits of Early Orthodontics A child can get braces even if they still have baby teeth left! In fact, the American Association of Orthodontics recommends screenings by age 7. Our orthodontist, Dr. Andrea Font, customizes each treatment plan based on a child's specific needs.
All in all, it is not necessary for all your baby teeth to fall out before you seek treatment but in some cases it can be. Matters such as your age may affect this the most. So, seek treatment as early as possible and our Doctors will recommend accordingly!
Some children start their orthodontic treatment as young as six. However, most agree that the best age to get braces or another form of treatment is between the ages of 8 and 14, which is when the head and mouth are most conducive to straightening.
Orthodontic treatment is designed to work with a mixed dentition, or a growing mouth of baby teeth and permanent teeth, so braces at age 7 or 8 is possible!
If your child's teeth are crooked, irregular, or are very crowded and are overlapping each other, this is a sign that they may need orthodontic correction. Crowded teeth, for example, can be caused by a narrow palate that may need treatment with braces and a palate expander.
Yes, children can definitely wear braces with some baby teeth remaining. Children won't need braces when they have only baby teeth, but it may be the right course of action in some cases where a child has mixed baby and permanent teeth. That's the short answer.
Getting the braces put onto your child's teeth is not a painful or unpleasant situation. Instead, the procedure will only last an hour or two, and it is pain-free. However, once the braces begin adjusting the teeth, your child might experience some soreness. Soft foods are a go-to remedy.
How Early Can Kids Start Braces? Traditionally, treatment with dental braces begins when a child has lost most of his or her baby (primary) teeth, and a majority of the adult (permanent) teeth have grown in —usually between the ages of 8 and 14.
Although pediatric dentists and orthodontists recommend children to be screened by an orthodontist as early as age seven, braces are not generally fitted until a child is at least 12, has 12-year molars, and has lost all their primary teeth.
The honest answer is that braces do not hurt at all when they are applied to the teeth, so there is no reason to be anxious. In most cases, there is mild soreness or discomfort after the orthodontic wire is engaged into the brackets, which may last for a few days.
While there is no exact age for braces, the American Academy of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends children visit an orthodontist for the first time no later than age 7. At this point, an orthodontist can evaluate a child's airway, bite, and oral habits.
How long kids need to wear braces depends on the problems the orthodontist is trying to fix. The average time is about 2 years. After that, a child might wear a specially molded retainer — a small, hard piece of plastic with metal wires or a thin piece of plastic shaped like a mouthguard.
Signs that your child may require orthodontic treatment include: Difficulty chewing or biting. If your child struggles with normal chewing or biting, this may be a sign of misaligned teeth or jaws. Misalignments can be subtle and you may not be able to notice them from a front view of your child's mouth.
Not all children develop at the same rate, so, in some instances, children can still have baby teeth until age 14. However, if a child is older than 14 and has a few baby teeth left, this could be a cause for concern. One reason baby teeth don't fall out is that there is a lack of permanent tooth eruption.
While your specialist orthodontist may fix minor problems, such as mild tooth crowding or spacing issues, within 6-8 months, more complex problems involving the bite may take up to 12-18 months for treatment. Another factor is patient compliance.
By removing one tooth, the space makes room for other teeth to move in, and the orthodontist can carefully adjust the teeth into their correct positions. This is especially useful for cases where the patient has too many teeth, or overcrowding makes it impossible for all the teeth to align properly.
There are many significant advantages to treating a child with phase 1 braces, including being able to take advantage of a period of active growth in the child. Orthodontists can use this growth period to treat severe overbites and create space for over-crowding.
If you wear braces it is completely normal to experience soreness or discomfort when you first have them fitted, or when you have the brackets and wires tightened. Most pain or discomfort is caused by the pressure needed to create sufficient tooth movement for the braces to do their work.
The minimum time to wear braces can be as little as several months to fix a basic crooked tooth or spacing issue through to 36 months for both metal braces and ceramic braces. Ceramic braces use tooth-coloured brackets and arch wires so they are less conspicuous than metal braces.
In short, no, you are never too old for orthodontic treatment. Your orthodontist considers many variables when developing your customized treatment plan, but age is rarely a deciding factor. Orthodontic treatment can be as successful for adults as it is for adolescents.
There's really no age limit for braces except in a very broad sense. Children shouldn't get braces placed on their baby teeth, for example; they should wait until they have their adult teeth. But once the adult teeth are in, the only contraindications for braces are health-related, not age-related.
Show the Results of Braces
Children usually find it difficult to adapt to the changes after getting braces. The equipment causes them discomfort and sometimes severe pain. They also have to give up on their favourite lollies and chocolates. Therefore, they may cry and ask you to remove the braces.
By sleeping on your back, the contact between your braces and mouth is minimized, so your cheeks can relax without being pushed against your braces. If you continue to sleep on your side, that's okay! You don't have to worry about any considerable dangers when it comes to sleep position.
Increased Risk of Bite Problems. Braces don't just straighten teeth; they address bite problems as well! If left untreated, overbites, underbites, and the like can result in wear and tear on your child's teeth.
Are braces available on the NHS? Orthodontic treatment is available on the NHS for young people under the age of 18 at no cost, if a dentist feels they need it. NHS orthodontic treatment isn't usually available for adults, but may be approved on a case-by-case basis if needed for health reasons.