Some children look forward to wearing braces. Braces are usually used when they are in their early teens. Other children are more perplexed, worried about the discomfort and the aesthetic appearance.
As a parent, you probably have many questions about children's braces. Find out everything you need to know about these devices that help correct oral problems in children.
Why should I get braces for my child?
Children may need braces for a number of reasons:
- Misalignment of the teeth,
- Mismatch between the upper and lower jaw,
- Incorrect positioning of the tongue in the mouth,
- Gnashing of teeth,
- Etc.
It is usually the child's dentist who identifies any problems during a check-up. It is recommended to visit the dentist as soon as the child reaches the age of 2-3 years.
If necessary, the dentist recommends consulting an orthodontist, who is a dentist who specializes in correcting problems with the alignment of teeth and jaws.
The orthodontist will determine if the child really needs braces and which braces are most appropriate to correct the observed problems.
At what age can a child wear braces?
Orthodontic treatment for children usually begins between the ages of three and twelve. This is the age when all the child's permanent teeth should have erupted.
It is important to consult a specialist at this age to detect possible problems and to decide the best time to start treatment.
The different types of braces for children
The term braces is not limited to the famous braces that everyone knows.
There are several types of braces that can be used to treat different orthodontic problems encountered in children.
Dental appliance for the child's palate
Palate braces are orthodontic appliances that create more space in a child's mouth by widening the palate over time.
The goal is to widen the child's palate so that the teeth and jaw can align properly.
This is one of the most effective methods of preventing misalignment or crowding of the child's teeth.
A palate appliance is custom made and can be fixed or removable.
Night braces for children
Some braces are specifically designed to be worn at night. However, these are not real braces. It is a retainer that is worn at night, only after conventional orthodontic treatment with appliances that are worn day and night.
The purpose of night-time braces is to stabilize the results of conventional orthodontic treatment.
Other night appliances, called interceptive appliances, can be used at night to slow down the negative consequences of an oral problem, without treating it.
Children with nocturnal bruxism - involuntary teeth grinding - can also wear an anti-bruxism appliance at night to limit the damage caused to their teeth during sleep.
Removable braces for children
Removable braces for children are an effective way to correct dental problems. In addition, they are more discreet than braces. They should be worn all the time by the child, except during meals.
More and more specialists are recommending the use of removable braces as a less restrictive alternative to braces. However, some dental problems cannot be effectively treated with removable braces.
What is the price of braces?
It is very difficult to estimate the price of braces for a child. The price depends on the problems observed by the specialist, the type of braces used and the orthodontist's fee.
We can nevertheless estimate the cost between 1000 and 2000 € per year.
Note that orthodontic fees are in most cases covered by Social Security up to 70% of the reimbursement base. However, the child must be under sixteen years of age.
