With over four million people in the United States wearing braces and 25% of them being adults, it’s never too late to achieve a beautiful and straight smile. Many people think that early adolescence is the ideal time to get braces. While it can be the best time to straighten teeth and fix spacing issues, orthodontic care can work for anyone at any stage in their life.
Whether you’re seeking braces for yourself or one of your children, it’s important to know the right time to get braces. For additional information regarding braces in Cleveland, Ohio, you should work with a qualified orthodontist.
This guide will go over everything you need to know about when to have braces and where to find the best orthodontist in Cleveland.
When is the Right Age to Get Braces?
Age doesn’t necessarily dictate when a person should get braces. There are certain guidelines and considerations to take into account when determining if a child is ready for orthodontic care.
Many orthodontists think that braces are best for children between the ages of 10 and 14 years old. Since braces will adjust your bite and shift teeth, it’s ideal to get them at a young age. Additionally, a child will usually have all of their permanent teeth at that age.
Another thing to consider is the jawbone. At this age, a child’s jawbone won’t be fully developed. It’ll be softer, making it more responsive to the repositioning of the teeth.
The teeth will shift much easier when their jawbone isn’t fully developed. When the jawbone is in this state, it’ll make it easier for the braces to correct any bite issues.
Early Orthodontic Treatments
Orthodontists also recommend a child getting an orthodontic evaluation around the age of seven. If treatment is needed for the child at this time, preventative or interception care can help address your child’s teeth and spacing before their permanent teeth come in.
Some orthodontists like to address bite misalignments or jaw problems during this age, during “phase-one” early intervention. This can help parents save money over the course of their child’s orthodontic treatment and shorten their treatment time.
Some examples of early orthodontic treatment include wearing the following:
- Retainer
- Palatal expander that creates more room in a person’s mouth
- Growth modifying appliance
- Partial braces for short lengths of time
Early orthodontic care can help correct any fundamental structural issues that might be occurring in your child’s mouth. This will help fix alignment and straighten the teeth later on when they wear a full set of braces.
How an Orthodontist in Middleburg Heights Can Help You Determine the Best Time
When you take your child for an evaluation at the orthodontist, it’s important to know what questions to ask them ahead of time. If you’re taking them in for an early evaluation, you should know ahead of time what you and your child are comfortable with.
The spacing and alignment issues in your child’s mouth will play a part in your orthodontist’s recommendation.
It’s Never Too Late to Get Braces
If you’re visiting a Cleveland orthodontist for your child, you might want to consider having them evaluate your teeth as well. You don’t need to feel self-conscious about your smile and how your teeth look. If it’s impacted your life in a negative way, you can get help.
There are a variety of options for braces that work great for adult teeth. A qualified orthodontist can talk to you about your options.
Invisalign®
Invisalign is a clear option for straightening your teeth, and it’s a great option for kids or adults. The clear aligners are made from a material called SmartTrack. This makes them easy to take on and off while being comfortable.
The aligners are very discreet and won’t interrupt your daily life. They allow for your teeth to move without the need for traditional metal braces. You can also see straighter teeth with Invisalign in as little as six months.
Clear Correct™
Another type of clear aligner, Clear Correct gives individuals the option to straighten their teeth without metal brackets and wires. You just need to wear Clear Correct for around 22 hours a day in order to straighten your teeth.
With this option, you will need to have your aligners changed periodically. How often that happens depends on the severity of your teeth and bite problems.
Why You Should Visit Weiss & Tor Orthodontics
Your comfort and smile are our number one priority. Our entire team is here to make your orthodontic treatment as easy and painless as possible. Whether the appointment is for you, your children, or both, you’re guaranteed to find a support system at Weiss & Tor Orthodontics.
Depending upon the patient’s needs, we’ll create a customized orthodontic treatment plan. Our goal is to make the entire length of treatment as short and affordable as possible.
Before we start treatment, we’ll go over the plan with you. We’ll talk about the steps and explain why it’s necessary. If there are multiple options available to you, we’ll discuss each one in detail.
You’re an active participant in your care, whether it’s for you or your child. There is no such thing as too many questions when making an educated decision about your orthodontic treatment.
For more information about braces for you or your child, contact our office today. We’ll discuss if your child is the right age and our proposed treatment plan.
Contact Weiss & Tor Orthodontics for Braces in Cleveland, Ohio
No matter what your age is, it’s never too late to achieve a beautiful smile. If you’re looking for options for braces in Cleveland, Ohio, ask for advice about how to improve your smile, in addition to your child’s.
Call us today to book a consultation appointment.