ARE BRACES NECESSARY FOR BABY TEETH?

Teeth are a miraculous thing, we lose our baby teeth and new, permanent teeth emerge to take their place. For some however, crooked teeth makes this process less than exciting. Your teeth are a huge part of who you are and having straight teeth is something that we all aspire to. In some cases however, baby teeth may need special orthodontic attention before permanent teeth emerge.

DO BABY TEETH EVER NEED BRACES?

As a parent, one of the worst things to notice is that your child has crooked teeth that affect their confidence and perhaps even the way they speak or eat. Crooked teeth is not the be all end all however and orthodontics has come a long way. In most cases, a dentist will recommend that all the baby teeth be gone and the majority of adult or permanent teeth be emerged before braces are applied. Generally, braces are applied between the ages of 8 and 14, but in some cases earlier treatment may be necessary.

WHAT INSTANCES MIGHT YOUR DENTIST RECOMMEND BRACES WITH BABY TEETH?

One instance is when the dentist or orthodontist feels that earlier intervention may help to guide the growth process of the teeth or may help to shorten the treatment of braces later on. In this case, your orthodontist might suggest that an interceptive approach is best or that they intercept with the growth of the teeth before the adult teeth have a chance to grow in crooked. Interceptive dental care often uses dental appliances, not always braces, to help guide the growth of the adult teeth as the baby teeth fall out.

This is not necessarily an approach that is right for all teeth and for all patients. In most cases, this is a method that is best reserved for those very severe cases where teeth are not in the correct place, when they affect the way the child eats or talks, or when they cause great distress to the child. The dentist will then decide that it is best to intervene before the adult teeth have grown in to help shorten the time that the patient will then have to have braces. Generally, after the dental appliance from the first phase is removed and most of the adult teeth are in place, braces are used to finish the course of treatment.

With any dental procedure, it is always best to get the opinion of an orthodontist and dentist that has experience with early treatment of children’s teeth. If your child has very serious dental issues, their orthodontist may recommend early intervention.

STARTING TREATMENT

For those that believe their child might need early intervention, you can always talk to your dentist to see if it may be worthwhile to refer to an orthodontist. Our helpful and skilled team at Dobson Ranch Dental Care can work with you to determine the best course of treatment for your child. We have the experience and dedication to help your little one make their way through any course of treatment to help them get the best smile and dental bite possible. Contact us today!