The American Association of Orthodontists recommends orthodontic evaluations begin around age seven. These early evaluations allow Houston dentist Dr. Sanaz Khavari to determine if braces will be needed – and to begin planning treatment before surgery and other invasive techniques are necessary.
While it is likely that your child will need to wait until he or she is a bit older to receive braces, preparation can begin as soon as malocclusion is identified. Proper preparation can help shorten the duration of orthodontic treatment and ensure the most comfortable experience for your child.
If you suspect your child needs braces, please contact Love Brushing Dentistry online or by calling 713-659-0841 to schedule a consultation today. Located in East Houston, Dr. Khavari welcomes families from surrounding Texas communities including Baytown, Pasadena, and Channelview.
Signs Your Child May Need Braces
Your child may need braces if he or she has initial indications of malocclusion including:
- Open bite
- Cross bite
- Deep bite
- Crowding
- Overjet
- Uneven spacing
- Crooked presentation
- Missing teeth
Braces may be useful in cases where children’s teeth erupt in an unusual way or cause displacement of the permanent tooth. During your child’s regularly scheduled visits to our Houston family dentistry practice, Dr. Khavari will look for any signs of malocclusion and discuss future and current orthodontic options with you as needed.
Benefits Offered by Early Childhood Braces
The jaw continues to harden into adulthood, but is generally malleable during early childhood. This helps shorten treatment duration and works to prevent more pronounced and difficult to treat conditions from developing.
Additional benefits offered by braces for kids include:
- The ability to guide jaw growth for optimal tooth eruption
- Improved bite function and comfort
- A more even and appealing appearance
- A better functional arrangement between teeth, lips, and tongue
- An end to habits such as thumb sucking
- A reduced risk of damage to adult teeth
Braces placed on children may also help improve self-esteem and encourage a healthier relationship with advanced dental services. Dr. Khavari will discuss these and other benefits offered by orthodontics for children during your child’s braces consultation to help you better gauge how orthodontics may impact his or her oral, systemic, and emotional health.
Treatment Duration
The duration of orthodontic treatment for kids is generally 18-24 months. Your child’s treatment may take more or less time depending on factors unique to his or her smile, but two years is typical for most. During the course of treatment, Dr. Khavari will schedule adjustments at necessary intervals to gently move your child’s teeth into their ideal position. While some discomfort may be unavoidable following adjustments, it is significantly less invasive and painful than braces placed after the jaw has hardened – and often less expensive as well.
It is not possible to establish a timeline for your child’s orthodontic treatment without first evaluating his or her teeth. Please call our Houston children’s Dentist at 713-659-0841 to schedule an evaluation and learn more.