Orthodontic screening: At what age should I schedule an appointment?

Children and teenagers who undergo orthodontic treatment enjoy a variety of benefits, including increased self-esteem and improved oral and physical health. Their parents want to guide them down the right path with our Queens NY orthodontist, but they may not know the best time to begin the treatment process.

Not all children may need braces, but all children will benefit from an orthodontic screening that will determine whether their teeth will eventually need to be re-aligned. It’s best to initiate the orthodontic relationship early, not only to address potential problems but also to give the child an opportunity to begin to build trust with the orthodontist.

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7. Typically, at least some permanent teeth have erupted in a seven-year-old child, and the orthodontist can get a preliminary idea of any issues that may need to be addressed.

At the initial evaluation, your orthodontist will examine the child’s teeth for any indications for orthodontic treatment, such as crowding, uneven spacing of the teeth and extra or missing teeth. Your orthodontist will also ask about habits such as thumb-sucking that can affect the teeth’s alignment.

Orthodontic treatment can take place in different phases, with younger children fitted with appliances, such as expanders, that are intended to prevent malocclusions or patterns of jaw development that would compromise proper tooth alignment. The second phase of treatment, most often initiated in preteens or early adolescents, involves the traditional braces that most people identify with orthodontics.

Even if the orthodontist does not identify any problems at the initial evaluation, parents should still plan to schedule periodic follow-up visits for their children. As the jaws continue to grow and develop, an issue requiring orthodontic intervention could arise at any time until the child’s growth is complete.

Orthodontic treatment is not merely an investment in your child’s appearance, it also helps to promote good oral health over the lifespan. Contact our experienced team of orthodontists serving Queens and schedule an initial evaluation to determine what orthodontic treatment may be appropriate in your child’s case.

Advantages of clear braces

Many orthodontic patients—especially those who are well past their teen years—are reluctant to sport a mouth full of metal. The point of orthodontic treatment is a more attractive smile, so patients may want to avoid appliances that detract from the smile for the long duration of their treatment. Clear braces are a good solution for these NYC patients.

Clear braces involve ceramic tooth, colored brackets that blend in with the teeth, making them far less noticeable than their metal counterparts. These ceramic brackets tend to be stain-resistant.

Your orthodontist uses these clear brackets in the same way that traditional metal brackets are used. The brackets are bonded to the teeth, and archwires are weaved through them. The brackets are attached to the archwires using elastics, and the archwires are switched out throughout treatment to adjust the forces and tension applied to the teeth in concurrence with the treatment plan.

The most obvious advantage of clear braces is aesthetic. Although they’re not completely invisible, clear braces do not have the same type of negative effects on the smile that metal braces do.

Because clear braces are less visible, patients who wear them may be agreeable to a few extra weeks or months of treatment. As treatment comes to a close, patients who opt for traditional braces may pressure the orthodontist to remove the appliances prematurely because they’re weary of their “metal mouth.” When wearing clear braces, patients are less likely to be in such a rush, meaning that they are more likely to get the full benefits of their orthodontic treatment.

The clear brackets are stain-resistant, but patients should still take care to keep the devices (as well as the rest of the mouth) clean. Brush at least twice a day – perhaps more often for heavy coffee drinkers or smokers –and be a dedicated flosser, even if it means using a floss threader.

If you are considering your orthodontic options, contact Jackson Heights Orthodontics at 718.335.4444.