Does Crooked Teeth Mean Braces?
When children begin to get their adult teeth, it’s natural for parents to wonder about braces. Especially since their growing mouths are still so small, it can seem like they can’t have room for all those big, grown-up teeth!
But do they actually NEED braces? The answer is… maybe!
Get an examination!
Only an examination with a dentist can determine if children need orthodontic treatment.
Sometimes teeth appear crooked, but it’s only a cosmetic problem, and there is nothing functionally wrong with the teeth. In other instances, teeth alignment causes ongoing problems with eating or speaking, and the issue won’t resolve itself without intervention.
Teeth alignment problems are called malocclusion, literally translated as “bad bite.” Types of malocclusion include overbite, underbite, crossbite, open bite, or a combination of issues.
Braces, the earlier the better.
More and more often, children are getting braces at an even younger age. Baby teeth (also called primary teeth) act as a guide for the adult teeth to follow. So, the earlier we can address their alignment problems, the better position the rest of their adult teeth will emerge.
Schedule a consultation!
During a consultation, we’ll measure and evaluate the malocclusion and may take an impression of the teeth to model the proposed treatment. In addition, we may recommend a more up-to-date series of X-rays. This will allow us to be sure of what is going on with the teeth, roots, and rest of the jaw.
If you think your child needs braces (or perhaps are interested in them for yourself), please don’t hesitate to call us for a consultation.
