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Many children are ambivalent about getting braces. On one hand, they like the idea of perfect teeth, but on the other hand, they are nervous about whether the braces will cause pain and discomfort. The good news is that the placement of orthodontic braces is not at all painful, and the end result will be a beautiful straight smile.

Although patients of any age can benefit from orthodontic braces, they tend to work much quicker on pre-teens and teenagers since they are still experiencing jaw growth.
An orthodontic examination may be beneficial before age seven if facial or oral irregularities are noted.

Poorly aligned teeth often cause problems speaking, biting and chewing. Most irregularities are genetic or occur as a result of developmental issues. Conversely, some irregularities are acquired or greatly exacerbated by certain habits and behaviors such as:

The orthodontist initially conducts a visual examination of the child’s teeth. This will be accompanied by panoramic X-rays, study models (bite impressions), and computer generated images of the head and neck. These preliminary assessments are sometimes known as the “planning phase” because they aid the Dentist in making a diagnosis and planning the most effective treatment.

In many cases, the Dentist will recommend “fixed” orthodontic braces for a child. Fixed braces cannot be lost, forgotten or removed at will, which means that treatment is completed more quickly. Removable appliances may also be utilized, which are less intrusive and are generally used to treat various types of defects.

Here is a brief overview of some of the main types of orthodontic appliances used on children: