Braces Q&A:
When should children get their first orthodontic evaluation?
Children should come in for their first orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven. That doesn’t mean your child will need braces, or that they’ll get braces right away. It merely gives Dr. Wafelbakker and Dr. Anderson the opportunity to identify existing and potential problems and decide the best time to start treatment. With an early evaluation, orthodontic treatments can be timed to coincide with growth spurts, which helps ensure the best results.
What dental problems are corrected with braces?
Braces can correct several dental issues, including:
- Crooked teeth
- Gaps between teeth
- Crowded teeth
- Misalignments of the jaws, such as overbite, underbite, and crossbite
- Open bites
It’s natural to focus on how your appearance will improve after braces. However, there’s more at stake than just cosmetic changes. When your teeth and jaw aren’t correctly aligned, you’re at risk of developing problems such as:
- Inability to chew food properly: affects digestion and nutrition
- Uneven pressure when biting: can cause broken teeth
- Cavities and gum disease: increased risk because teeth are hard to clean
- Temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorder: causes headaches, earaches, and neck pain
What are the different types of braces?
Braces apply continuous pressure to your teeth, which gradually makes them move in a specific direction. As your teeth move, the supporting tissues also change their position, including your jawbone, which grows new bone or eliminates old bone as needed to support the new position.
You can choose from several types of braces:
- Metal braces
Traditional braces made of stainless steel brackets are attached to the front of each tooth. - Invisalign
A virtually invisible alternative to metal braces, clear plastic aligners are customized to fit over your teeth. You remove them to eat, brush, and floss; otherwise, you wear them all the time to move your teeth into their proper alignment gradually.
If you’re considering braces, call the team at Wafelbakker Anderson Orthodontics today or book a consultation online.
