When discovering your child needs braces in Ripon, it’s likely that you’ll have a multitude of questions to ask your child’s orthodontist. “What is the reason they need braces?” “What kind of braces will they be wearing?” “How long will they need to wear them?” While all these are valid questions, one you might forget to ask is “How old do they need to be before they can receive braces?” Find out at what age your child should be before they can have braces put on.
What Problems Can Braces Fix?
At one point in time, it was believed that braces could only fix crooked teeth. Surprisingly, they can address even more issues that anyone thought, including:
- Overcrowding
- Spaces between teeth
- Protruding teeth
- Impacted teeth
- Bite alignment problems (i.e. overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite)
No matter what the problem might be, it is likely that braces can give your child the smile they need and deserve.
What is the Recommended Age for Braces?
Typically, by the time your child is 7 years old, it is recommended that they have their first orthodontic checkup. When discussing with your orthodontist in Ripon about your child potentially receiving braces, it is likely you’ll learn about a two-phase approach associated with this type of dentistry.
Phase I Orthodontics
While your child is still young enough and has yet to lose their primary teeth, their orthodontist will use various appliances to encourage correct jaw and tooth development. Not only can this prevent future problems, but it can also eliminate any possibility for jaw surgery later in life. A few of the ways Phase I can be beneficial to your child include:
- Making room for permanent teeth to erupt
- Reduces the chances of needing one or multiple teeth extracted one day
- Straightens teeth into their correct positions
- Improves the smile’s aesthetic
- Helps the jaw to reposition into proper alignment
Phase II Orthodontics
If your child finishes Phase I and their orthodontist suggests that they are still in need of braces, they will enter Phase II. This type of treatment occurs once the permanent teeth have erupted, and it focuses on moving the teeth into their proper place with the use of traditional braces.
Not only will this type of treatment help to improve the look of their smile, but it will also:
- Increase oral function
- Improve their overall bite
- Shift teeth into the correct place
When it comes to wearing braces, your child might also have many questions, and that is understandable. It’s important to include them in the conversation and allow them to ask the orthodontist questions as treatment progresses. After all, everyone has the same goal, which is to ensure your child has a smile that is healthy, functional, and aesthetically pleasing.
About the Author
Dr. Frances Hamman is an experienced orthodontist in Ripon, WI, who earned her Doctor of Dental Surgery degree from Creighton University in 1991. Two years later, she achieved her degree in orthodontics from Case Western Reserve University and has been practicing ever since. Dr. Hamman’s 30 years of experience in assisting young children and adults achieve healthy, fully functional smiles with the help of orthodontics is what inspires her to continue her work. Her belief is that “orthodontics isn’t just about creating a beautiful smile, it’s about helping patients enjoy teeth that function properly, too.” To learn more about Dr. Hamman and how orthodontics can help you, visit our website or call (920) 748-7200.