What are children’s braces?
Children’s braces are designed specifically for kids. They consist of brackets and wires or clear plastic aligners that slowly shift teeth into an ideal alignment over time. These treatments correct the position of teeth that are misaligned or crooked. Several types of orthodontic solutions are available to meet your child’s personalized needs.
What are the benefits of children’s braces?
Some of the many benefits associated with children's braces at Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics include:
- Better bite
- Easier teeth cleaning
- Straighter teeth
- Lower risk of oral health problems
- Reduced pain
- Aesthetically pleasing smile
- Improved self-confidence
Braces can improve the alignment of your child’s jaw in addition to shifting their teeth. The earlier your child receives orthodontic treatment, the easier the treatment and the better their outcome. The result is beautiful teeth and a stunning smile your child feels confident about.
What are the different types of children’s braces?
After reviewing your child’s medical and dental history and examining their teeth, gums, and X-ray results, your child’s dentist lets you know which type of orthodontic treatment best matches their needs. The team at Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics offers:
Invisalign
Unlike traditional braces, Invisalign treatment uses clear plastic aligners to shift your child’s teeth into proper alignment over time. Invisalign produces aesthetically pleasing results in a more discreet way, as nearly invisible aligners fit over the top of your child’s teeth.
The Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics team uses digital technology to produce aligners custom-fit to your child’s mouth. After about two weeks of wearing the aligners for 20 hours a day, they switch to the next set of aligners in the series. Your child can take aligners out to eat and brush their teeth.
Traditional children’s braces
Traditional children’s braces consist of brackets cemented to the teeth attached to wires. They slowly shift teeth into their ideal alignment over time. New versions of children’s braces are small and less noticeable.
Unlike Invisalign, traditional braces aren’t removable until treatment is complete. Your child’s dentist periodically tightens the wires to achieve desirable results. Braces improve problems with spacing, bite, alignment, and jaw positioning.
How long must my child wear braces?
Each child is different, so the length of time they must wear Invisalign or traditional children’s braces to straighten teeth varies. The average length of Invisalign treatment is 12-18 months. Orthodontic treatment with traditional braces is about the same, or longer in some instances.
To find out if children’s braces are right for your child, call the Longhorn Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics office to schedule an appointment or book online today.
