Braces for Kids

Often times, braces for kids is a sign of growing up. Some kids may need braces more than others depending on how severely angled their teeth are. Any parent is likely to have both questions and concerns about their child’s quest for braces. Let’s take a look at some of the most important details regarding your kid’s potential braces.

Does My Child Need Braces?

There are plenty of reasons your child would potentially need or benefit from braces. Everybody’s teeth are different, and this is not limited to adults only. This means children are susceptible to oral misalignment. Some of the most common issues include but are not limited to:

• Overlapping Teeth
• Crowded Teeth
• Overbite
• Underbite
• Crooked Teeth
• Incorrect Jaw Position

The type of dental misalignment that your child has will determine the type of braces that are received. Some kids may be ineligible for specific kinds of braces depending on how their teeth began to grow in. Nowadays, braces are becoming more accommodating for all kinds of dental forms, but some are still exclusive. To determine what kind of braces are best for your child, your child’s orthodontist will review different options for you.

What Kinds of Braces are Available for My Child?

As mentioned previously, different kinds of braces are available for different dental and oral needs. Over time, various forms of braces have become available. When you first picture braces, people often typically begin with a distinct picture in mind – wires and headgear. Thankfully, technology has advanced significantly, and other forms have been invented. Those original braces are still in circulation, though, and may be the best fit for your child. Let us take a look at the different options available and the benefits of each of them.

Traditional Metal Braces

The most common thought of form of braces are the traditional metal braces. With these, we would attach metal brackets on each tooth with a composite resin. Wires are used to connect each of these brackets with another. Each appointment, we would tighten the wires slightly to pull your child’s teeth into the correct positioning. These braces are beneficial because they are the least expensive option and give your child the ability to express themselves with multi-colored bands.

Ceramic Braces

Nearly identical to the traditional metal braces, ceramic braces work in the same way and perform alignment identically. The main difference is the bracket and wire color match the color of the tooth.

Aligner Retainers

Within the past decade, a new form of braces has emerged. They are known as aligners, which act as retainers that shift your teeth. For this version, we will take a mold of your child’s teeth and computer graphically adjust their teeth for the most ideal alignment. After this is completed, a set of about 20 or so plastic trays, or aligners, will be created. Every two weeks, a new tray will be received. The great part about this option is the aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and allow your child to eat any food they wish safely. These are unsuitable for significant cases, though.

Lingual Braces

A fourth, less common form of braces is rarely used on severe cases and can often be more difficult to adjust to. These use the same method as traditional metal braces, but they are placed on the inside of the tooth. These are great if your child has a mild case and don’t want to have any sign of braces or metal in their mouth.

Bringing Your Child to the Orthodontist

If your child is showing signs of crooked or misaligned teeth, it may be best to take them to an orthodontist to get checked out. A common misconception that parents may have is the belief that some children may be too young to visit the orthodontist, but this is not the case. All children’s oral conditions develop differently and across various time frames, so there is never a single age where you should bring your child to visit an orthodontist.

If you’re ready to take the leap and have your child’s teeth straightened, contact us here at NYC Dental Orthodontics to schedule an appointment with the best orthodontists in New York City!