Orthodontics
ABC Kids Dental Group offers trained orthodontists that can help give your children the beautiful smile they deserve. Some of the benefits of getting straighter, more aligned teeth include better speech, ease of brushing and flossing, prevention of tooth decay and gum disease, and an improved image. To make braces an affordable option for your family, we offer financial assistance as well. Also, we make the initial consultation appointment absolutely free.
The Best Time for Braces
Is your child starting to lose baby teeth? If so, you might want to shift your focus from playing the tooth fairy to seeing the experienced orthodontist at ABC Kids Dental Group.
Scheduling an examination for braces is probably not as fun as putting money under your child's pillow, but based on new developments – as well as advice from the American Academy of Orthodontics (AAO) – an early visit to the orthodontist may prove advantageous.
Here is why making your child's orthodontic needs a top priority right now is crucial to achieving the best smile possible.
The Health Benefits of Braces
Cosmetic improvements are an obvious benefit of getting braces, but there are also important health reasons for sporting them:
- Lower potential for decay, due to difficulty cleaning crooked or overlapping teeth
- Prevention of jaw-related problems, such as head and earaches, or TMJ
- Improved ability to chew or speak, if bite problems were to blame
- Reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, which has been linked to poor dental health
In addition, correcting your child's smile can help boost confidence and self-esteem, while saving you time and money by neutralizing potential health problems before they become serious.
How Will I Know If My Child Needs Braces?
The only way to be sure that your child needs braces is by having a consultation with our trained dentists and orthodontist. By taking measurements of your child’s bite, our dentists can identify areas of crowding or spacing which needs to be corrected using braces.
When to Go and What to Expect
According to the AAO, children should see an orthodontist by the time they are seven years old. It is important to note, however, that this does not necessarily mean treatment has to start at this age.
Every practice is different, but the first-time orthodontic visit at ABC Kids Dental Group include:
- A thorough review and discussion of your child's health and medical history
- X-rays, for a better understanding of various tooth positions and emerging teeth
- An oral exam for any tooth, jaw or bite misalignments/abnormalities
- Teeth impressions, for reference while determining the best treatment
- Treatment recommendation that may or may not include braces
Regardless of your child's dental situation, timing is everything. Early detection of certain problems may increase your options for treatment.
If My Child Has Baby Teeth, Is He or She Too Young for Orthodontic Treatment?
Although there is a general misconception that orthodontics can only be started after all the baby teeth fall out, the truth is that a lot more can be done if the child has his or her consultation earlier. Since the bones are not fully formed before puberty, it may be easier to expand the bones and prevent future crowding using orthodontic appliances. In fact, early detection of many malocclusions can be treated with orthodontics.
Differing Approaches to Braces
When caught early enough, certain tooth misalignments can be addressed at ABC Kids Dental Group via a method typically referred to as an "interceptive approach". This form of treatment occurs in two phases, the first of which involves orthodontic devices while the child still has baby teeth, followed by standard braces once he or she has a full set of permanent teeth. Proponents of this approach believe that acting early makes it easier to correct problems, and also tout the fact that treatment will be finished at a younger age.
On the other hand, the traditional approach to braces doesn't start until all permanent teeth have emerged, which can happen anywhere between the ages of 8-14 (even though assessment at an early age is still recommended). Advocates of this form of treatment highlight that overall time spent wearing orthodontic devices is shorter, the cost may be less expensive, and similar results are usually achieved.
How Long Will Orthodontic Treatment Take?
Since orthodontic treatment is custom tailored to the needs of each child, and not two children are alike, it is impossible to determine in advance how long braces will take. For more complicated malocclusions, children may need to wear braces from 6 months to 3 years. However, this time period can only be determined after the initial exam and throughout the course of treatment, depending on the rate of success with the appliances.
How Much Will Braces Cost?
It is impossible to determine the exact costs of braces until our orthodontists has determined how long the treatment will take. Nevertheless, to make the entire process more affordable, our office does offer payment plans and many other promotions. So, come visit our orthodontic experts at ABC Kids Dental Group to learn more about how you can get braces for your child. The first visit is absolutely free and there is no obligation to move forward with treatment, so feel free to visit us and get your questions answered.
The Best Course of Action
Decisions on timing and treatment are up to the parent, but having your child's mouth examined by the experienced orthodontists at ABC Kids Dental Group early can make the choices easier, especially if there are severe misalignments.
Call us at 833-i-ABC-Kid (833-522-2543). to schedule a free consultation at any of our locations. We have offices in Pacoima, Sun Valley and Granada Hills.
