A trusted dental professional will always be the one to confirm whether your child needs braces. Still, as a parent, it doesn’t hurt to educate yourself about what conditions create the need for braces and what the treatment process is like. And, if your child or teenager does require orthodontic treatment down the road, you should have the phone number of a top-ranked dentist at hand.
For braces near Lawrence, MA, choose Kangaroo Smiles Pediatric Dentistry! Dr. Mona will thoroughly examine your child’s teeth and determine if orthodontic care is necessary. Learn more below about the oral health conditions that orthodontic treatment can fix.
Why Children, Teens, and Adults May Need Braces
Dental irregularities are more common than you may think. The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) actually recommends that children should have their first visit with an orthodontic specialist no later than the age of seven. This is to ensure your child’s teeth are developing and growing correctly.
Orthodontics involves the evaluation of a patient’s bite. Malocclusion literally means “bad bite” and may refer to any of the following abnormalities:
Overbite
OverbiteWhen the upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw.
- Underbite
When the lower jaw is larger than the upper jaw.
- Open bite
When the bottom and top teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed.
- Tooth alignment problems
When a patient has overlapping, overcrowded, or crooked teeth.
Having jaw or tooth misalignments may not initially cause pain. However, an unnatural bite can create problems for younger patients as their mouths continue to develop. To avoid developing a misaligned bite or another dental condition, it’s important to see a dentist every six months for a checkup. No matter how old you are, regular dental appointments are essential!
The Best Orthodontic Treatment: Braces Near Lawrence, MA
Patients typically wear braces between one and three years. Afterward, your orthodontist will recommend that you wear a retainer to maintain the new position of your bite.
To know for sure whether your child or teen requires braces, one of our professional and friendly Kangaroo Smiles team members will help you set up a consultation. During your visit, Dr. Mona will go over the entire process of orthodontic treatment in full detail.
We explain to each orthodontic patient that the results of braces are often outstanding! When children and teens implement the best care practices for braces during the treatment process, the outcome typically results in a straighter, healthier, and more beautiful smile. We also teach children how to maintain their bright smiles with easy and practical dental hygiene habits for life.
Looking for braces near Lawrence, MA? Kangaroo Smiles is now scheduling patients to come to our new Methuen, MA, office! Make your appointment with us today by calling (978) 425-1496.