Children also need braces for various reasons, including overlapping, overbite (bigger lower jaw than the upper jaw), underbite (the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw), crooked and overcrowded teeth. Tooth and jaw problems in children may be caused by several factors such as injury, premature baby teeth loss, or thumb sucking. However, children can also inherit dental problems, especially if a family member once needed braces.
If your child is suffering from a dental condition, consider taking the child to an orthodontist who specializes in repairing misaligned jaw and dental alignment problems. The orthodontist will asses your child’s orthodontic condition and determine whether or not there is a need for braces, and which type of braces would be best. It’s estimated that about 4 million people in the U.S. wear braces and 75% of them are younger than 18. This indicates that it’s mostly children who suffer from dental problems such as jaw and teeth misalignment. Here are the most common types of braces for children.
1. Invisalign
This is an effective type of dental aligners and it’s safe for children as it is for adults. Invisalign, from the word “invisible and “aligners” are clear aligners used to straighten teeth and restore proper teeth alignment. Their popularity is perhaps because they are essentially invisible, not unless someone comes really close plus they’re also removable allowing you to enjoy meals without a problem. You can also brush your teeth normally.
However, when it comes to adverse alignment problems Invisalign is not the best option as it’s inherently designed to correct mild teeth misalignment. Patients using clear aligners are required to wear them for at least 20 hours each day for proper teeth straightening. Unlike the traditional metal braces for children, Invisalign is comparatively more costly.
2. Metal Braces
These are the traditional braces and they comprise of metal brackets that are applied to your teeth using dental glue, then attached to bendable archwires or rubber bands. Metal braces are effective in fixing a range of alignment issues, and now with the introduction of new metal braces that use heat-activated wires, your child can have their teeth aligned within a relatively short time with minimum pain. They are common among teenagers and the fact that they cost less than Invisalign makes them a popular choice of orthodontic treatment. New design braces for children feature a variety of color options for more custom looks.
3. Lingual Braces
Lingual braces are typically the same as metal braces, however, instead of attaching to the outside surface of your teeth, they are placed behind the teeth. They are less noticeable even more than clear braces, and their application is less intrusive than conventional metal braces. Lingual braces comprise brackets that are designed to straighten teeth from the inside and they are known to offer excellent results compared to most orthodontic treatment.
4. Ceramic Braces
Like lingual braces, these are far more invisible as they feature ceramic brackets designed look and feel like teeth. Although it’s considered a tradition orthodontic treatment, ceramic braces are still widely used and they are effective in teeth straightening than Invisalign. However, they are susceptible to stain, especially with poor dental hygiene while it’s often associated with some level of discomfort.
Now that you are aware of the common braces for children as well as adult. So anytime you visit an orthodontist you’re well informed on the different types of dental aligners and how each one performs.