Orthodontic treatment for children: when to start and all you need to know

Orthodontics is a dental process that seeks to align the teeth to correct the smile and help prevent health problems. A large percentage of adults are correcting their teeth due to the effectiveness of this dental treatment.

When to start children’s orthodontics?

Nowadays, it is common for children to wear braces, and there is a time when parents start to wonder whether their children should start treatment. In principle, it is possible for children to start as soon as they reach dental maturity.

Dentists recognise that children’s teeth are easier to correct

Dentists recognise that children’s teeth are easier to correct and treatment at an early age avoids future problems. If the child has the first dentist visit at the right time, it will be easier to control the development of their permanent teeth once they emerge.

What is the recommended age for treatment?

There is no exact indication because every child’s development is different. Some children already reach dental maturity at the age of seven, while others not.

Our dentists recommend that the child first visit the orthodontist after the age of six because, during this time, permanent molars tend to emerge, giving way for the development of other teeth.  It is, therefore, easier to correct poor development or growth at an early age.

Why is it recommended between 6 and 12 years old?

As mentioned, orthodontic treatment can be received by anyone regardless of age, although children between the age six and twelve years old are at the best time to be assessed by specialists to begin correcting dental problems.

Growth of the bones begins at this stage and facilitates the preventive phase to detect and resolve future problems. The most common oral problems are dental malocclusion when the fit between the upper and lower teeth needs correction.

Assessment of whether your child can have orthodontics

As in all medical treatments, the specialist must perform a series of tests, analyses, and assessments before offering an accurate diagnosis to determine the type of approach aligned with the child’s needs.

The case is evaluated by observing aspects such as the bite, the shape of the jaw, the development of all the teeth, among other aspects. During the first visit, to begin with, we will perform an X-ray to identify any problems that cannot be seen with the naked eye. We can observe the inside of the mouth in more detail, looking at the dental roots, the jawbones, and the entire structure.

Baby teeth

A child’s baby teeth are a complete set of 20 pieces and have their origin in the early stages of child development. Each tooth has a specific age and time to come out.

When a tooth falls out on its own, bleeding usually occurs as part of the natural process without the need to see a doctor. However, in other circumstances, for example, tooth loss due to trauma, it is essential to see a specialist as soon as possible.

They are characterised by being small in size, with thinner layers of enamel and shorter roots that disappear over time, causing the tooth to fall out.

Bite issues

The dental bite is the position of the teeth in the jaw. When closing the mouth, the alignment of the upper and lower teeth should generally fit.

Incorrect bite leads to oral health problems other than just dental aesthetics, and it can cause a series of difficulties in the general health of the patient.

The main cause of children’s bite issues is thumb-sucking, breathing with the mouth open, or resting the tongue against the teeth when swallowing. Other causes of improper biting are tooth wear or breakage, loose fillings, and cavities.

Types of children’s orthodontics

To achieve optimal results, it is necessary to detect the problems in time. This is a reason why children’s orthodontic treatments appear as the beginning of dental problem prevention.

As in all medical treatments, each patient has a unique need, and that is why there are different types of children’s orthodontics.

• Interceptive Orthodontics

In interceptive orthodontic treatments, to properly guide the growth of the teeth, the specialist seeks to interrupt poor eruption or development in the child’s mouth.

This dental treatment should begin once the first tooth comes out, in this case, the upper incisors in the child’s mouth, which usually occur between six and seven years of age.

• Removable appliances

If you want to offer your child a less aesthetically invasive treatment, there is the possibility of using appliances that can be removed and replaced at any time more easily.

This technique offers the patient more favorable and comfortable dental hygiene while improving the aesthetics of their smile, but it is not recommended for complicated cases that require more invasive treatments.

Children’s Invisible Orthodontics

The invisible orthodontics is no longer a treatment just for adults, and now children can enjoy its advantages. Sapphire brackets are completely unnoticeable because of their tooth-coloured appearance.

Fixed Orthodontics

Amongst the most popular and well-known orthodontic treatments is fixed orthodontics, also known as metal braces.

• Braces

Thanks to advances in science and medicine, the appearance of braces has changed. 

Different types of braces can be found on the market:

• Metal
• Mini
• Self-ligating or Damon
• Coloured
• Transparent
• Lingual

Brackets in lingual orthodontics cannot be seen on the exterior because they are attached to the inside of the tooth so that they are not visible when the child smiles.

The variety of orthodontic treatments emerged due to the large number of patients who want to correct their dental problems without having to go through an abrupt aesthetic change with the placement of metal braces.

What is the treatment like?

The treatment begins with the first visit when the orthodontist makes a diagnosis and indicates the appropriate treatment to solve or avoid future problems. The orthodontist must perform a series of tests to be informed of the child’s jaw, bite, as well as take intra- and extra-oral photographs and X-rays to check the mouth cavity.

After the complete diagnosis, the process of alignment and bite correction starts. Once treatment is finished, it is time to remove the appliances and enjoy aesthetically perfect teeth.

Why choose Impress?

The Impress team has expert knowledge in one product with specialised technology.

We offer exclusive and personalised treatment plans to achieve the best smile. Thanks to the great team we have, you can receive medical attention every day of the week.

What are the advantages over other techniques?

Transparent aligners have many advantages over other techniques. We are specialists in invisible orthodontics, avoiding intermediaries to offer affordable prices for everyone.

We have a mobile application that keeps the patient and orthodontist in constant communication. In short, Impress offers orthodontic treatment with removable, comfortable, aesthetic, and personalised aligners to achieve the perfect smile.

What is the price of invisible aligners for children with Impress?

The prices offered by Impress are transparent, real, and affordable. The Impress team believes that a perfect smile should be achievable for everyone and offers treatments all-inclusive, without surprises or additional expenses.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should the child be taken to the orthodontist for the first time?

Parents should take their child to the orthodontist for the first time after the child reaches the age of six and permanent dental development begins. This is the right time to tackle any dental problems and prevent poor oral health.

What happens if you lose an aligner?

In the case of a lost or broken aligner, the first thing you should do is call your orthodontist so that we can find the right solution for you.

Book your appointment through our website, contact us by email at london@smile2impress.com or phone/WhatsApp on +44 203 808 1072.

See you soon!