Every child is different. Their baby teeth erupt and are lost at different times. Some children have all adult teeth by age 10, others take longer. What matters first, though, is whether there is enough room for their teeth, now and later. If space needs to be made, a palatal expander may be necessary.
Your orthodontist knows that most of their patients are none too thrilled about getting a retainer. You’ve been wearing metal braces or Invisalign for a year or more and just want to be done already. Your feelings are understandable. But teeth alignment is a lifelong commitment and, besides, there are plenty of reasons to love your retainer.
Dentists typically recommend an orthodontic evaluation for children by age 7 or 8. This is a best practice for every child and parent, but if your dentist firmly encourages you to seek an orthodontic opinion, listen to them. They’ve seen something that isn’t quite right and could benefit from customized braces for kids.
If you have your heart set on Invisalign treatment to correct problems with the alignment of your teeth, be aware of circumstances that impact whether you are a good candidate for this treatment. While many orthodontic patients can select from Invisalign or conventional braces, there are some who are limited in what’s available to fix misalignment. If you’re determined to wear clear aligners, the following complications could impact whether this treatment is right for you.
People who wear braces sometimes need their teeth turned or rotated. After all, brackets and wires are not only designed to straighten teeth or close gaps. Your orthodontist may even need to extrude a tooth or two to achieve ideal alignment. What does that mean? If you don’t know, you’re in the majority. “Extrusion” isn’t all that common for someone who is new to the world of orthodontia.
The palatal expander journey is brief, but it can be inconvenient for the patient at first, as is the case with most orthodontic interventions. The appliance, though, is a common treatment and used when it’s necessary to widen a child’s upper jaw and create room for crowded teeth. While every patient is different and their treatment trajectory will vary, there are typical steps that occur for most expander wearers, including what happens after wear time is complete.
Invisalign treatment can be customized for kids who are in Phase 1 of orthodontic treatment, which usually occurs between ages 6 to 10. While it may be hard to wrap your head around the idea of your child in any kind of braces at such a young age, early orthodontics like Invisalign can save them from lengthy treatment later and give them a great boost of confidence.
You hear about Invisalign. You see the ads. You might even know someone who wears the clear aligners. The more familiar you become with this orthodontic treatment, the more you realize it might just be right for you. As you prepare for your visit to your Woodinville orthodontist for a consultation, learn about just some of the reasons people fall in love with Invisalign.
Seven steps for keeping your braces clean isn’t nearly as daunting a reality as it may sound. Braces-wearers simply have additional responsibilities when it comes to keeping their teeth and braces clean every day. Every move you make slides naturally into the next and comprise a solid routine that ensures your teeth will be white and healthy throughout your treatment and especially after the brackets come off.
Braces are an investment in multiple ways. Time is one of the things you will sacrifice, but the demand on your schedule won’t be as intense as you might have anticipated. Tightening only needs to be done every four to eight weeks, and every patient’s case is different. It helps to understand why you need your braces tightened – you’ll feel more agreeable about all your orthodontic visits if they have a point and a purpose.
