As a parent, it can be difficult to decide when is the optimum time for a child to get braces. But orthodontists know when the time is right. Derek M. Busciglio. D.M.D. runs Busciglio Orthodontics, an orthodontic provider. Here he talks when you should think about getting braces..
To ensure a lifetime of great smiles, dental experts recommend that every child have an orthodontic screening when their permanent teeth first appear, usually between the ages of five and seven. While that is a general guideline, every child is different, so you should talk to your dentist or orthodontist for advice about when to bring your child in.
Early diagnosis and monitoring allow your dentist and orthodontic to create straight, well-aligned teeth and improve the facial profile at a time when your child’s bone structure is easier to shape. Correcting a malocclusion, or bad bite, early can also help to avoid jaw and other problems in future.
What Braces Do
Braces can correct a variety of dental problems including protruding or crooked teeth, teeth that overlap or crowd each other and teeth that have gaps between them. Some children need braces to align their teeth and correct their bite. The best results often come about thanks to early intervention, and waiting until the child is older may make things a lot more difficult to correct.
Recent advances in orthodontics have expanded beyond metal braces to include colorful braces and invisible braces. Most braces are normally worn for one to three years and cost from $1,800 to $4,500 depending on the treatments length and complexity.
Investment in the Future
Remember that good orthodontic care is an investment in your child’s health and appearance. If during the first exam it is determined that your child does not need braces, periodic visits should be scheduled to make sure their needs do not change, and that problems can be caught early if they do.
Many parents mistakenly think that their children do not need to be checked by an orthodontist until all their permanent teeth have come in, assuming there is no obvious problem. That is not the case. If you wait, you may discover that treatment may be much more difficult.
The information in the article is not intended to substitute for the medical expertise and advice of your healthcare provider. We encourage you to discuss any decisions about treatment or care with an appropriate healthcare provider.
