If your child has a misaligned jaw or teeth, he/she may not realize this as a common problem for young people. However, crooked teeth can be embarrassing and take a toll on their self-confidence and social life. Therefore, as a parent, you should immediately take steps to treat your child’s crooked teeth. Make an appointment with an orthodontist who can provide the best dental solutions for your child.

An orthodontist is a dental specialist who treats facial and dental irregularities and perfects smiles using special appliances. In this blog post, we’ll discuss some common forms of orthodontic treatments for crooked teeth in children to help you understand them.

1. Braces

Braces are still considered one of the primary tools for straightening crooked teeth and correcting malocclusions (bad bites). There are several varieties of braces available these days.

• Traditional Braces: The traditional metal braces apply pressure to the jaws and teeth to realign them correctly. Although noticeable, traditional braces very effective at the least expense. They’re ideal for severe alignment issues in children and teens. These braces have evolved with time and are now available in light-weight versions. However, they come with restrictions in consumption of hard and sticky foods. 

Made of stainless steel, they have metal brackets that are interconnected with a thin arch wire using tiny elastics called o-rings or ligatures. With a special type of cement, these metal brackets are attached to each tooth. There are also some traditional braces that don’t require the use of ligatures and are known as self-ligating braces.

• Ceramic Braces: The brackets of these braces are made of a clear ceramic material and are less visible to others than traditional metal braces. They function in the same way as traditional braces and are equally effective.

• Damon Braces: This type of braces is currently very popular as they’re gentler on the teeth and require fewer visits to the orthodontist for adjustments. They’re self-ligating and use a slide mechanism instead of painful arch wires that create a lot of friction and pressure on the teeth. Damon braces are also easier to keep clean than metal braces which see undesirable plaque accumulation.

2. Invisalign

These are clear, transparent aligners suitable for patients with mild to moderate alignment issues. They’re made of BPA-free (bisphenol A) plastic and resemble mouthguards. They can be removed when eating and usually have to be changed every two weeks. With each replacement, the teeth alignment goes a step further towards correct alignment. Note that as Invisalign is removable, they’re more suitable for teenagers or young adults and not young children.

3. Retainers

These are prescribed after the braces are removed. They help the newly aligned teeth to retain their corrected position by preventing them from shifting. Made of either rubber or clear plastic and metal wires, some retainers are removable while others are bonded behind the teeth.

Other common orthodontic practices for crooked teeth are using rubber bands, temporary anchorage devices (TADs), headgears, Forsus appliances and palatal expanders. Your orthodontist will check the condition of your child’s teeth and prescribe the best dental solution for him/her.

If you’re looking for a trusted orthodontist and dental office in Brampton, visit Dentistry on Dusk at 55 Dusk Drive (Unit #2). Call us at 905-453-7777 or write to us to make an appointment. Image Courtesy: careorthodontics.blogspot.com