Those who are considering braces for their child may wonder when the right time is for dental appliances. It depends on the child, the condition of their mouth, and your ability to cover the cost that insurance doesn’t cover. Every case is different.
Generally, most orthodontists agree that early adolescence is the appropriate time to consider orthodontics. Children between the ages of 10 and 14 tend to do well with dental braces. There are a couple of reasons for this.
Physically, kids this age usually have all of their adult teeth so braces can work on straightening the whole mouth. Also, they have softer jawbone tissue that makes it easier to manipulate and reposition because it’s more responsive than that in older teens and adults.
The timing of early adolescence is good for another reason. Most dentists say braces are highly effective when the child has all their permanent primary teeth but not their second molars. That usually happens between 11 and 13 years old.
Emotionally, pre-teens and early teens can be a good age for braces. It is an awkward stage for many that age but others are wearing braces too and that makes it easier. Orthodontic treatments can take up to two years. That means these kids have beautiful smiles in time for all the teen highlights like dating, proms, and graduation where lots of pictures are taken.
Make an Appointment Around Age 7
Parents can make a plan for the right time to get their child braces if they and the orthodontist know what to expect. The recommendation from the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) is that parents make that first appointment around age seven.
That is when permanent teeth start coming in and an orthodontist can get a good idea of how they are erupting. The orthodontist can gauge whether the child will need braces and how extensive treatments will need to be to get a straight smile.
Parents having that information is crucial for knowing when a child should get braces. It also helps them plan financially too.
Early Intervention
Orthodontists can provide some early intervention with children to lessen the effect of teeth not erupting through the gums properly. Intervention typically happens between the ages of seven and 10 years old. It resolves problems like fixing spacing between teeth as well as alignment issues.
Intervention treatments can include things like wearing a palatal expander. This creates more room in the child’s mouth so teeth can grow properly. It can include a growth modifying appliance or partial braces for a limited time.
Correcting basic underlying issues can make braces effective and help teeth get straighter faster when braces are used.
Older Teens and Adults
Those who didn’t get braces as a child haven’t missed the opportunity. Older teens and adults can do well with orthodontics and complete treatment within two years. The time it takes depends on each case. Adults make up around 20 percent of those seeking orthodontics.
The primary difference between older teens and adults getting orthodontic work is that they are more conscious of how they look and tend to steer away from traditional metal braces. Teens want to look good for the yearbook and senior pictures. Adults are more self-conscious because they have careers. That is why clear aligners like Invisalign are popular with those age groups.
Not everyone is a candidate for Invisalign. Certain teeth conditions can’t be fixed with clear aligners and using the product takes a certain amount of dedication. Your orthodontist can tell you whether you would make a good candidate for clear aligners and explain what is involved in using them effectively.
There are other options between traditional metal braces and clear aligners. Those include clear braces, lingual braces, and self-ligating braces. Clear braces can be discreet and stylish for those who are concerned with how braces look on them. It could be the perfect choice for many people looking to straighten their teeth.
Self-ligating braces don’t use rubber bands so that could be an option for those who don’t like the idea of elastic bands in their mouths.
What you choose depends on your lifestyle, the amount of time and dedication you are willing to invest, and your overall health. It’s good to talk to your orthodontist about all your concerns. There is an option for you.
There isn’t a time limit to get braces or other types of orthodontic work. The key factor is how jaws are set and jaw strength, regardless of age.
While early adolescence is the perfect time for braces, there isn’t a wrong time to seek orthodontic treatments. It’s always a good time to get the beautiful smile you’ve always wanted! Call our office for an appointment to see how we can create a smile you will love.
