A dentist might recommend clear braces for kids if your child has developed orthodontic issues. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends bringing in your child for their first appointment with an orthodontist by the time they are 7 years old.
At this point, their smile should be developed, even if they still have some of their baby teeth. Baby teeth serve as placeholders for permanent teeth, so getting them properly aligned leads to permanent teeth being properly aligned as they erupt.
While it might seem like taking a child to a dentist for orthodontic evaluation at the age of seven is a bit early, it is actually the optimal time to start teeth-straightening treatments with appliances like clear braces. At this stage, a dentist can determine if the child has any underlying conditions, like crowded teeth, an overbite, or an underbite. Inconsistencies with the placement of the lower and upper jaw can also be detected at this stage. Bringing a child in so the alignment of their teeth can be evaluated at the age of 7 allows for early detection and treatment for any orthodontic issues.
Clear braces are one of the treatment options that your dentist might recommend if any orthodontic issues are detected. The dentist will typically wait until the patient’s 12-year-old molars have erupted before proceeding with treatments like clear braces.
Clear braces are like traditional metal braces. They are made up of brackets and wires that are used to apply a constant force on the patient’s teeth that pushes them toward a better alignment.
Instead of metal brackets and wires, clear braces are made up of transparent or tooth-colored brackets and wires. This makes the appliance harder to notice when the wearer smiles or opens their mouth.
While there are more discreet options than clear braces, like teeth alignment trays, dentists often recommend clear braces because they are permanently fixed in place. Aligner trays are removable appliances, and they need to be worn for at least 20 hours per day to be effective. Most children are not disciplined enough to keep up with such a regimen, leading to less effective treatment.
Clear braces stay in once a dentist cements the brackets to the child’s teeth. That removes the worry about the child wearing an appliance as needed.
Treatment times with clear braces are typically somewhere between 12 to 36 months. Generally speaking, the more severe the orthodontic issue that the child is dealing with is, the longer that they will have to wear braces. The child will also likely have to wear a retainer when their treatment is over.
Braces remain the most effective way to address teeth alignment issues and can correct problems like:
Give us a call or stop by our Laguna Hills clinic to set up an appointment so our dentist can evaluate your child’s teeth.
Request an appointment here: https://www.orangecoastortho.com or call Orange Coast Orthodontics at (949) 860-1231 for an appointment in our Laguna Hills office.
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