When should my child start with braces?

Want to get a head start on your child’s smile? Check out Myobrace treatment! Poor oral habits can lead to crowded teeth, underdeveloped jaws, open bites and many more unpleasant complications. Myobrace can straighten teeth the natural way, so you don’t have to worry about your child being too young. Myobrace retrains the facial muscles by encouraging the patient to keep the lips together, breath through the nose, swallow correctly, and positioning the tongue in the correct resting spot. Some patients may not need additional treatment with braces after Myobrace. If braces are needed to finish up treatment, Myobrace does reduce that treatment time significantly. Once Myobrace treatment is completed retention of the teeth is better, as the poor oral habits are corrected, making relapse less likely. Here at The Brace Place our staff is completely trained to guide your child during their Myobrace therapy. The Myobrace mouth guard is easy to use. Your child will be required to sleep in it and wear it only 2 hours during the day. Along with this we will show your child some daily exercises to follow that will only take about 5 minutes. Call us today to schedule your free consultation!

The number of adults wearing braces has increased dramatically in recent years. According to the American Association of Orthodontics there were more than 1 million adults with braces in 2008, a 25% increase from 1989. The number of adults getting braces has risen for a number of reasons:

• Advances in braces technology makes them less noticeable, requires fewer appointments and can lead to quicker treatment times than before.
• A great smile can help provide the competitive edge and confidence necessary to compete in today’s job market.
• As people live longer, they are motivated to improve their looks with a healthy new smile.
• Braces are more affordable than ever, in fact, many insurance plans will cover a portion of your treatment
• Crooked teeth are susceptible to gum disease (gingivitis) and bone loss (periodontal disease) due to plaque and food buildup between the teeth.  Braces can help prevent gum disease and bone loss by placing them in a straighter, healthier position to allow for proper oral hygiene.

So relax.  Wearing braces as an adult is no big thing.  In fact, lots of other adults are pretty happy about their braces.  Talk to us about the various types of braces available at The Brace Place.  This may be your perfect age for braces!

The short answer to this question is NO, it’s not too late. Of course, this answer may not be enough to overcome any anxiety and hesitation you may have. But there are several positive reasons that explain why it makes sense to get braces when you’re an adult:

1. 1. You’re not the only adult who’ll be wearing braces. Braces have become quite common, and in some circles, it’s actually a rather trendy practice. Nowadays about a million adults in the US and Canada are sporting braces.
   2. Celebrities are using them too.  Tom Cruise had ceramic braces at the age of 40. Country superstar Faith Hill wore them when she sashayed on the red carpet at the 2013 Grammys, and she looked gorgeous even though she had braces at 45 years of age!
   3. Braces are not all that conspicuous. We’ve all seen the movies with awkward kids wearing braces, but that won’t happen to you. That’s because the latest technology uses less conspicuous bands and brackets that are minuscule. In addition, you can select “invisible” braces that are virtually unnoticeable.
   4. They’re affordable. As an adult, you’re likely to have dental insurance that can cover the cost. Even without insurance, many dentists offer flexible payment plans that can help fit your budget.
   5. Braces keep your teeth straight. Adults may have crooked teeth due to health issues, sports injuries, or even just natural growth. Braces will move the teeth back to their proper position.
   6. It improves the way you chew. If you’re having trouble biting into or chewing food, braces can solve the problem by fixing your bite. This will enhance your dining experience and boost your interest in food.
   7. It improves the quality of your smile. Having a better smile seems like a small thing but has a large effect on your whole life. A better smile can make you look friendlier and more approachable which enhances your social life to a considerable degree. You’ll find that parties are somehow more fun as you meet new people, and first dates tend to become more pleasurable.

A confident and beautiful smile is also indispensable in the workplace. It makes a terrific first impression during job interviews and meeting new clients and customers. You’ll interact better with your coworkers. When you have a great smile, it’s natural for other people to like you—and to appreciate your work, services, and products.

1. 8. It boosts your self-confidence. When you know you look better and you feel better because your teeth are straighter, you can’t help but feel more confident about yourself.

So if you have crooked teeth, don’t hesitate to discuss with us. You’re not the first adult who asked their dentist about braces, and you certainly won’t be the last. It’s simply never too late to have straight teeth and a beautiful smile.

My patients usually ask this question during the initial consultation. Adults are especially concerned about the amount of time they need to wear braces.

On average, it takes about 24 months to complete an orthodontic treatment. Some patients require less than 12 months, but there are also patients requiring up to 3 years of treatment before their teeth reach the desired position.

Orthodontics is not a one-size-fits-all solution and each patient’s mouth is unique. So, while I cannot tell you with certainty the exact duration of treatment for your specific case, I can explain to you the factors that influence the amount of time you’ll need to wear dental braces.

 

1. Type of Treatment

Patients requiring orthodontic treatment now have several options. There’s conventional metal braces, ceramic braces, and clear braces. Metal braces are made from stainless steel, making this system very strong and robust. Ceramic braces and clear aligners, on the other hand, look nicer than metal braces

 

2. Age

Young patients (teens and children) tend to get results faster than adults because their jaws are still growing, making the teeth easier to manipulate. This doesn’t mean all adults need to wear braces for two years or more. There are other factors that affect the length of treatment.

 

3. Severity of the Case

Another crucial factor is the severity of your orthodontic issue. Mild spacing/crowding can be fixed in a year or less, while severe cases could take much longer.

 

4. Patient Compliance

An orthodontic patient needs to follow all instructions provided by his or her orthodontist to ensure a successful treatment. That includes maintaining proper oral hygiene, keeping your dental appointments and use your orthodontic appliance as directed.

  Is It Possible to Reduce the Amount of Time Needed to Wear Braces?  

Yes. Here at The Brace Place, we are happy to offer Propel technology to our patients. Propel helps teeth move faster into their desired position resulting in significantly reduced treatment times. Whether patients choose traditional braces or clear aligners like Invisalign, this innovative technology ensures that the treatment is effective and fast.

 

Other treatments that reduce treatment time include Acceledent and Vpro AcceleDent and Vpro utilize cyclic force and soft pulse technology to move the teeth.

Final Thoughts  

The only way to determine how long you’ll need orthodontic treatment is to consult an orthodontist. We will take pictures and X-rays of your mouth and create a custom treatment plan for you. We will also discuss accelerated options so you can have the smile you’ve always wanted in the shortest time possible.