Choosing the right type of kids braces requires careful consideration of your child’s age, their orthodontic needs, your budget, insurance coverage, treatment duration and any underlying care your child may need before starting treatment.

Back in the day, braces were much bulkier and invasive than they are today. Modern types of braces for kids are smaller, more comfortable and far less visually distracting than they used to be.

At East Orthodontics, we aim to provide the most compassionate and comforting orthodontic care for kids. In this guide, we explore the different types of braces for kids, the process of getting your child braces and tips for managing pain and comfort levels during treatment.

Understanding the Importance of Early Orthodontic Care

Children grow fast, but during childhood, their bones are softer than adults. This often makes braces treatment faster and more effective than it is for adults. We offer pediatric orthodontic care Richmond residents trust. Our team personalizes every treatment to make sure it fits a child’s age and needs.

Early intervention is often called “phase one” treatment. This is done before children wear braces, and it starts at age 6 or 7. During phase one, we focus on a child’s tooth and jaw development. Our goal is to create a healthy space for teeth to grow in as straight as possible.

Phase one treatments can include oral assistive devices like mouthguards, expansion appliances and space maintainers. Phase two is when we generally discuss using braces or clear aligners.

Why Choosing the Right Braces Matters

The right braces make a huge impact on your child’s oral health. Our children’s orthodontist knows how to recommend the right type of braces depending on a child’s age and their teeth’s growth pattern. The goal is to ensure the child is comfortable throughout treatment while making sure their teeth grow in straight.

The right braces also impact the jaw. Moving the child’s jaw into the best position can make it easier for them to chew, speak and even breathe properly when they sleep. Some braces are more effective at treating certain orthodontic problems than others.

While many people focus on looks, our orthodontic services for kids are focused on improving oral health and delivering long-term results.

Signs Your Child May Need Braces

It’s normal for children’s teeth to appear slightly crooked or misaligned as they’re growing in. Sometimes, natural growth will correct these issues and give them a healthy oral alignment.

In other cases, children need orthodontic care to shift their jaw and teeth into the best position.

Signs your child may need braces include:

    • They have a crossbite, underbite or overbite

 

    • They experience jaw pain

 

    • Their teeth make it difficult to speak or chew properly

 

    • There are noticeable gaps between their teeth

 

    • The teeth and jaw are not balanced with the rest of the face

 

    • Your child has a history of sucking their thumbs or fingers or grinding their teeth.

 

    • Your child has symptoms of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dysfunction, like jaw popping or clenching.

Every child should see an orthodontist for the first time by age 7. This allows time to monitor their teeth development, jaw growth and oral health and recommend timely treatments.

Types of Braces for Kids

Modern kids braces offer lots of opportunity for customization. From traditional metal braces to clear aligners (Invisalign for kids), we’re proud to offer our patients the best orthodontic treatment Houston has to offer.

Traditional Metal Braces

These are the most traditional option in family orthodontics. Traditional metal braces are well-suited for every patient, whether they’re 5, 15 or 50! They work by attaching custom-sized metal brackets to the teeth, then connecting with a steel wire that is held in place with rubber bands.

We can also customize these braces with colored bands and brackets to make them feel fun and creative for your child. In many cases, traditional braces are the best braces for young children because they’re straightforward and the easiest to customize.

Ceramic Braces

Ceramic braces work exactly like metal braces, but they are less noticeable thanks to the use of tooth-colored ceramic brackets. We color-match our ceramic braces for kids to ensure they feel completely confident in their smile.

Self-Ligating Braces

Self-ligating braces require fewer adjustments, which can make them more comfortable and less expensive over the total course of treatment. The self-ligation process happens due to spring-loaded doors that replace rubber bands. These doors hold the brackets and wire in place, reducing irritation.

Lingual Braces

Lingual braces go behind the teeth, so they are completely invisible during treatment. We typically only recommend these to older patients who are able to handle the more challenging cleaning process for these types of braces.

Clear Aligners (Invisalign for Kids)

Clear aligners for kids work like braces, but they do not require any metal brackets or bands. Instead, the aligners are a soft, plastic tray that fits your child’s teeth and gently moves them into place over time. Instead of adjustments, you’ll simply pick up new trays every few weeks and swap them out.

Pros and Cons of Each Type of Braces

Now, let’s look into the pros and cons of each type of kids braces to help you make the most informed choice for your child’s orthodontic care.

Metal Braces: Durability and Affordability

Metal braces are durable and the most affordable option. However, they do require the most adjustments and can be uncomfortable for children to wear. They are highly effective, but some patients find them hard to keep clean and may struggle with losing rubber bands or forgetting to change them every day.

Ceramic Braces: Aesthetic Appeal

The main pro of ceramic braces is their more natural appearance. They do, however, require extra measures to avoid discoloration. The ceramic can easily become stained due to drinking lots of dark-colored liquids.

Self-Ligating Braces: Comfort and Efficiency

Self-ligating braces are the most popular modern form of pediatric orthodontics Richmond and pediatric orthodontics Houston Heights. They are more comfortable and may shorten treatment time. Cons include increased cost and the possibility of clips breaking, especially for children who play sports.

Lingual Braces: Hidden Behind the Teeth

Lingual braces are great for older children and teens who are not a fan of the aesthetic of braces. However, they can cost more and may not be as effective as regular braces in some cases. They can also be harder to keep clean because they are behind the teeth.

Clear Aligners: Discreet and Removable

Removeable, flexible and adaptable, patients love clear aligners. The only cons are that they can be expensive and are not suitable for patients with severe orthodontic issues. They are also not ideal for patients who struggle with responsibility, since they have to wear them for 20-22 hours a day (including during sleep).

Factors to Consider When Choosing Braces for Your Child

During your braces consultation, your orthodontist will discuss various factors that go into choosing the best types of braces for your child.

Age and Developmental Stage

Younger children are generally better suited to fixed, conventional braces or self-ligating braces. Older children (10 and up) can often consider Invisalign. Most often, orthodontists prefer to leave lingual braces for patients 13+ who can manage the additional care.

But it’s not just about aesthetics; the orthodontist will also consider your child’s age and how their jaw and teeth are likely to grow over the course of treatment. This will impact which type of braces are the best fit for them.

Aesthetic Preferences

There are many options to help patients customize treatment. Feeling confident about wearing braces is a plus because it helps children feel more motivated to keep up good oral hygiene.

Treatment Duration

The length of treatment can vary depending on the type of braces you choose. Self-ligating braces and Invisalign for kids can deliver faster treatment than traditional metal braces.

Maintenance and Oral Hygiene

What level of maintenance can your child keep up with? Do they struggle with their current oral hygiene? The orthodontist wants to ensure that your little one can keep up with their braces, take care of their teeth and prevent any unnecessary complications.

Cost and Insurance Coverage

Cost will play a factor in the type of braces you decide on, unless you have a liberal budget. We will always go the extra mile to help you find your options, so you don’t have to keep searching for “affordable braces Richmond.”

The Braces Process: What to Expect

Here is the full process of getting your child braces.

Initial Consultation and Assessment

You will meet with your pediatric orthodontist to discuss your child’s needs. They will perform an assessment to help determine whether your child is ready for braces or if they need to start another type of early orthodontic treatment first.

The orthodontist will suggest the best kids’ dental braces for your child depending on their unique needs and age.

Fitting the Braces

Your orthodontist will schedule another appointment to actually apply the braces. If you opt for clear aligners for kids, then the process is much simpler. You just need to pick up the trays and have your child try them on in the office.

In other cases, your orthodontist will prep your child’s teeth for braces and make sure they fit perfectly before you leave. They’ll also offer maintenance tips and care suggestions to reduce pain.

Regular Adjustments and Appointments

Your child will go through regular adjustments and check-ups to track the progress of their orthodontic treatment. Adjustments tighten the braces to ensure that they can move the teeth and jaw into the desired position.

Managing Discomfort and Care Tips

It’s normal for kids to feel uncomfortable after braces. The best way to manage pain is for them to eat a soft or liquid diet the first few days, and they may be able to take over-the-counter pain relievers. Their teeth will be sensitive, but over the next few days and first two weeks, they will grow comfortable wearing braces.

How to Help Your Child Adjust to Braces

 

    • Talk to them about what it will be like wearing braces.

 

    • Involve them in the process as much as possible.

 

    • Read young children stories about characters getting braces.

 

    • Let them ask questions and talk to the orthodontist.

 

    • Compliment their braces often

 

    • Help them learn how to take care of braces

 

Why Choose Elara Orthodontics?

When people search for “best orthodontist Houston Heights,” they often come to Elara Orthodontics. Our office in Richmond, TX, provides exemplary orthodontic care for children of all ages. Dr. Abedini and Dr. Elkenawy stand out when it comes to finding the best orthodontist Richmond has to offer.

Our dedication and expertise in family orthodontics includes comprehensive knowledge and experience treating young patients. We create happy, healthy smiles from kindergarten through college and beyond!

When it comes to choosing braces for kids, we want you to have as many options as possible. Our team aims to make it easy to find the best braces for children through personalized treatment plans and financing options.

We have two offices to make getting your child’s smile perfect a breeze.

What Our Patients Are Saying About Us

We love hearing from our patients! Here is a testimonal from a parent who chose us to take care of her son’s smile.

“I visited Elara Orthodontics for a complementary initial consult for my son. We had a wonderful experience from the moment we walked in. The staff are very welcoming and friendly. They were all helpful in answering my questions. A shout out to Nicole as she was very informative and thorough in explaining what we could expect with the treatment process, as well as explaining the payment options available. A plus for me was the ease of scheduling an appointment.” – Catherine G.

Begin Your Child’s Orthodontic Journey

We’re thrilled that you’re looking to find the best braces for your child. You can get started by scheduling a free consultation with us. Reach out to Elara Orthodontics Richmond at (832) 702-2727 or Elara Orthodontics Houston Heights at (713) 999-1099.
You can also submit a contact form to schedule your visit with an orthodontist Houston Heights or Richmond.

[yarpp]