Should nbe given braces for children from what age? The method of braces helps shape the jaw, braces for children help protect against certain dental diseases. Getting braces early for children will help the dentist have time to straighten the teeth. At the same time, increase the chance of achieving an ideal bite and more convenient treatment. So when is it effective to get braces for children?
At what age should children get braces?
According to the American Dental Association (ADA), the appropriate age for braces is for children from 6 to 12 years old. For the following reasons:
The development of the jaw bone
The period from 6 to 12 years old is the time when the jaw bone develops strongly. Therefore, braces for children at this age require a thorough examination. This helps doctors detect cases of vertical jaw deviation or narrowing of the jaw or front and back (tissue, underbite). From there, the doctor will provide timely intervention measures and overcome defects. Helps children have a confident smile, beautiful teeth and strong bite.
In addition, at this stage, jaw bone density has not yet fully developed. Therefore, the process of expanding, straightening and moving teeth to the correct position on the jaw will be easily done.
The process of changing children’s teeth
When children are between 6 – 12 years old, this is the childhood stage Entering the tooth replacement stage. Therefore, at this stage, parents need to monitor each child’s teeth and take their children to see an orthodontist promptly when there are signs of misaligned, sparse, or underbite teeth. At this time, the doctor will do a clinical examination and take an X-ray of the entire jaw. With X-ray images, the doctor can predict growth trends, as well as monitor the sequence of tooth eruption to orient the teeth to the correct position.
If your child’s teeth show signs of abnormal growth, such as protruding teeth, underbites, or gaps in teeth. The doctor will explain each case in detail for parents to understand. At the same time, suggest the correct time for orthodontic treatment so that your child can change teeth smoothly and help the jaw develop in a balanced manner.
In case it is too late after 12 years old. At this time, the permanent teeth have grown stably and must be extracted to create space. Furthermore, the jawbone becomes stiffer as age increases, making the treatment process difficult, time-consuming and costly. At the same time, orthodontic results are achieved. NHowever, correcting the wrong shape of the jaw cannot achieve the same comprehensive results as when children are treated during the period of teeth replacement.
Benefits of early braces for children
Choose the appropriate age for braces and bring outstanding results in terms of expertise as well as the child’s quality of life. Specifically:
Easy to adjust the bite
The stage of tooth replacement is from 6 to 12 years old because the jaw bone is not yet strong at this time. Therefore, the phenomenon of bone mismatch can be corrected with specialized equipment. Helps the jaw joint return to the physiological standard position. Helps children have a comprehensive smile and a balanced face when they grow up.
There is plenty of time for dental adjustments
Getting braces at the right time will help the doctor promptly treat dental defects and help the teeth move to the correct position on the jaw. Thanks to that, the orthodontic rate is more successful, while limiting tooth extraction or complicated jaw surgery after the child becomes an adult
Long-term orthodontic effect
From the age of 6 – 12 years old, the child’s jawbone is not yet fixed, so it is easy to bend when orthodontic. Helps teeth move to the correct position on the jaw, while orthodontic time is faster and more effective. In particular, if children receive orthodontic treatment at the right age with the right technique, children can maintain long-term braces results and not re-treat when they become adults.
Limit dental diseases
Braces at the right time help the jawbone and develop normally. At the same time, reduce injury to incisors that are protruding and protruding forward. In addition, after braces, the teeth will be straight and beautiful and the chewing process will be convenient. From there, it helps children eat well, have good digestion and avoid dental diseases.
Stages of braces for children from ages 6 – 12 years old
Osteoalignment stage
The bone correction time will take place from 12 – 24 months. This is the first stage before entering the fixed braces stage. At this stage, the doctor will intervene to correct the skeleton until the child is 8 years old with specialized appliances such as Facemask, Headgear, Quad – helix and EF.
This contributes to improving the relationship between the upper and lower jaw so that the skeleton returns to the standard position. At the same time, prevent deformation causing the teeth to return to their original position.
After the bone correction period, the doctor will monitor the process of replacing milk teeth and growing permanent teeth in children every 3 – 6 months. If there are unusual signs such as impacted teeth, extra teeth or missing tooth buds, they can be detected promptly. From there, help children change teeth smoothly and confidently with a bright smile and balanced face.
Determining fixed braces
After the permanent teeth have completely grown, the doctor will proceed to arrange the misaligned teeth to the correct position on the jaw. At the same time, adjust misaligned teeth to the correct position and standard bite.
Thanks to that, children have strong teeth and stable development. Normally, fixed braces take 18 – 24 months to complete and depend on the child’s current dental condition.
Currently, there are two commonly used fixed braces methods: clear braces and bracket braces.
- Braces: An orthodontic method that uses dental instruments such as wires, brackets, and elastic bands to be fixed on the tooth crown. Helps align orthodontics to the correct position on the jaw thanks to the traction of brackets and wires. However, there are two popular types of braces: regular braces and self-ligating braces.
- Clear braces: is an orthodontic method that uses braces and replaces dental appliances. This is a modern orthodontic method. However, when children enter the stage of fixed braces, they should be given clear braces. Because children are at a sensitive age and feel sorry for themselves when you tease them about braces, especially braces.
Dentists have given detailed answers about braces for children from what age. Hope this article will help parents as well as have orthodontic treatment methods for their children. If parents have questions about braces methods for children, please contact us directly for detailed advice!
Kim Dung
