Who Needs Braces?
By age 7, a dentist should have a good idea about your child’s dental development and whether or not they will need orthodontic intervention. With an orthodontist in-house, the team at Kids Connection is proud to offer traditional braces. Whether your child needs correction for spacing or for bite correction, we can help guide you through the entire process. From deciding which type of braces your child will need to knowing the best way to pay for them – let our professional and experienced dental team in Phoenix assist you. Here are a few reasons your child may need braces:
- Spacing – One of the most common reasons for needing braces is due to spacing issues and concerns. When children lose their baby teeth, particularly if it happened prematurely, the other baby teeth can start to crowd the empty spaces – forcing the permanent teeth to erupt in places they shouldn’t. When this happens, the orthodontist may recommend space maintainers prior to traditional braces depending on their age.
- Bite Correction – An improper bite can cause a number of issues, such as speech impediments, difficulty eating, TMJ or other jaw conditions, discomfort, and even decrease confidence/social anxiety. Bite correction can be needed for overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
- Misalignment– Sometimes genetics can play a huge role in how permanent teeth erupt, but if spacing was never corrected it can also cause misalignment. Similar to an improper bite, misalignment can cause many issues with speech, eating, and overall comfort.
Types of Braces
Your child’s age and unique dental needs will both play a role in which type of braces the orthodontist will recommend. With modern advancements in orthodontics, correcting the issues mentioned above can be done relatively easily with minimal pain and discomfort. At Kids Connection, we specialize in braces for children using traditional metal braces for any patient under the age of 14.
Traditional Braces – The most common option for braces in children is traditional metal braces. This treatment is ideal for families because of its affordability. In addition, metal braces have a much higher success rate for severe misalignment or improper bite cases.
Invisalign– A popular, modern option in orthodontics, Invisalign is often recommended for older patients (typically over the age of 14). This clear alignment system is a series of custom aligners that gradually move the teeth until the desired outcome is reached, usually within 12 months. Because these aligners can be removed when eating – or during special occasions that may require removal – it is not recommended for children under 14 because of the discipline required for successful treatment.
Free Consultation for Children’s Braces in Phoenix, Arizona
We are excited to have an in-house orthodontist on our professional and caring dental team! With three convenient locations across Phoenix, we are happy to provide braces for children and teens in a comfortable, modern office. Schedule an appointment with us for a free consultation today! We are open every day of the week to make it convenient for families with busy schedules. We look forward to caring for all of your child’s dental needs!