2468 Coney Island Ave Brooklyn, NY 11223 | Call Us Today To Schedule Your Consultation : (718) 998-1888 

Common Orthodontic Corrections in Children and Adults

Orthodontics is no longer the province of teenagers. Many authorities recommend that a child first see an orthodontist when they’re around seven years old. At that age, they are beginning to develop their adult teeth but still have some of their baby teeth. The transition from baby teeth to adult teeth does not always go smoothly, and the orthodontist may spot such problems as impacted teeth or missing teeth.

Adults might need an orthodontist if they’ve lost teeth and the remaining teeth consequently move out of alignment. Since their jaws have stopped growing, they are more likely to need accompanying jaw surgery than are younger patients.

What kinds of orthodontic treatment will a child probably need?

The most common orthodontic treatment a child will get is called the comprehensive treatment, which typically begins when the patient is around 12 years-old. It is done to correct all of the orthodontic problems at once.

While some orthodontists begin the treatment while the child still has some baby teeth, most wait until the child has all of their adult teeth.

The orthodontist will apply braces to the teeth, and will typically use the traditional metal braces. The patient will wear the braces for 18 to 24 months.

After the orthodontist removes the braces, the patient will then wear a retainer. The orthodontist may also apply a bonded or permanent retainer to the lower front teeth, for these are the most likely to move back out of alignment. The patient will wear the retainer until their wisdom teeth have come in or been extracted.

Another common treatment for children is expansion of the upper jaw. If the upper jaw is too narrow, it does not mesh well with the lower jaw and can result in a cross bite or other problems. There are a variety of appliances an orthodontist can use to make a child’s jaws more compatible.

What kinds of orthodontic treatment might an adult need?

Treatment for adults varies. They may just need a couple of teeth moved back in alignment or they might need work done to prepare them for getting crowns, bridges or implants.

If an adult didn’t see an orthodontist as a child, they may have dental problems like an overbite that need correcting. They will therefore need the same type of braces an adolescent would get.

Because of their age, adults may have to wear braces longer somewhat longer than adolescents do. They can wear the traditional metal braces or get ceramic or lingual braces. If their condition is relatively mild, they may be able to use Invisalign.

Contact Brace Central today to make an appointment and get orthodontic correction.

Share the Post: