Orthodontic treatment for children has been done for many, many decades. Treatment is very safe, and it’s very important. Ideally, everyone who has crooked teeth, or misaligned teeth should have treatment in those early years, or as teenagers, in order to improve the bite.

It is easier to treat a growing child. The gums are stronger. The teeth are stronger. Everything happens more predictably.

In this two part series we will answer the most frequently asked questions we get from parents considering orthodontic treatment for their children.

What materials do we use?

Here at the Straight Teeth Suite, we tend to fit conventional types of braces on children who have lost their baby teeth because what we want to do is not just improve the appearance of the teeth, but also to correct the bite, or encourage a positive bite.

The majority of our child patients will have either a metal or tooth coloured fixed brace. Most of the time we tend to opt for metal.

A metal brace consists of metal wire and elastics that hold the wire in place. It will also consist of elastics to hook top teeth to bottom ones to improve or correct the bite.

How much would it cost?

Depending on what type of brackets we use, it can be as little as £1,800, or up to £3,000 – £3,500. Obviously, if we decide to go for a ceramic option, it may be a little bit more, but on average, it’s between these two prices.

Results can last for life, as long as your child also wears a retainer. This keeps the teeth straight, and otherwise your teeth will move back to their original position.

Unfortunately there are a lot of adults who had braces when they were children, but as they never wore retainers, they have to go through the treatment all over again. Understanding the importance of retainers from a young age, can be the key in avoiding the treatment a second time around later in life, and incurring another cost.

How often would I need to see the dentist?

With conventional braces for children, we tend to review your child every 6 to 8 weeks, and then approximately every 4 weeks as we get closer to the end of the treatment.

Is the treatment painful?

It can be uncomfortable in the first few weeks, because there will be new pressure on the teeth, and there can be rubbing from the brackets, but it does get easier over time.

Some children cope better than others, and of course, as long as they get regular reassurance then it becomes much easier for the child to deal with. Additional help such as keeping wax for the brackets, and maybe painkillers for the first few days, can also make a big difference.

In Part 2 of this series we will be discussing the importance of early treatment and whether braces are the right treatment for your child.

Contact us HERE and book your FREE consultation to discuss your child’s options in full!

Tags: , , ,