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4 Types Dental Braces for Kids
Children tend to go through an awkward stage in their lives. They can either shy away from or conquer their world. As parents, you should ensure that they do the latter. However, they will lean on the former if they have body issues, such as crooked or misaligned teeth. There are many ways to correct a smile, but getting braces for kids is a good way to start. When it comes to teeth straightening, a pediatric orthodontist is the one that does the job well.
The use of modern technology gave rise to more tools for correcting misalignment. But dental braces for kids work wonders. These apply pressure to both their jaws and chompers, allowing them to move to where they should be. They not only bring brightness to a smile, but it also makes oral hygiene easier. Decades ago, children who wear them were seen as having shiny smiles because the glint of metal and wire is hard to ignore. Today’s kids are lucky since they need not go through that phase since there are several tools for tooth correction.
Invisalign
Based on several tests (teeth x-rays, impressions, 3-D images, etc.), your child’s dentist may recommend using Invisalign for perfecting a smile. It is a clear tooth aligner made out of clear BPA-free plastic that is meant to be invisible. Compared to regular braces, it was used only recently. Treatment time can last between six to twenty months, depending on the kid’s dental needs. The aligner trays need to be changed at least every two weeks, which means you and your child need to visit the clinic every four weeks. But the best thing about using this is you can remove the tray at any time. So, there is no hassle during meals or playing contact sports, unlike regular braces.
Traditional braces
While there are more modern types of teeth alignment tools, the traditional braces cannot be ousted yet. Like Invisalign provider in Vancouver, your child needs a dental visit at least once a month for any necessary adjustments, especially if the teeth are already moving in the right direction. But those with complex oral issues, such as bridgework, the need for vertical teeth movement, and back tooth bites, this type works best since you cannot remove them without the help of a dentist. Your kid needs to wear it every day for at least two years, but it all depends on how fast tooth movement happens.
Lingual braces
When children are image-conscious, they may not like the look of traditional braces. So they turn to lingual ones. These are also made of metal but are discreet since they do their work behind the scenes – behind the teeth. Unfortunately, if you have a deep overbite, this may not be the best option. Nevertheless, a good discussion (and dental tests) with the orthodontist will determine if this is the treatment plan for your child.
Clear dental braces for kids
Older kids and teens are more amenable to teeth correcting measures, but only if they can barely be seen. Clear braces are the perfect choice for a self-conscious child. They are still made of metal, but the brackets (and sometimes even the wires) are made of a clear material.
Deciding on orthodontic treatment is not easy and maybe slightly costly, depending on your children’s brace choice. But if a more beautiful smile improves their self-esteem, as a parent, you should support it.
