Orthodontic Treatments Aren't Just For Teens: Younger Children May Benefit More
Posted on: 1 March 2016
When the average person thinks about orthodontic treatment, they typically think about an older, teenage child wearing braces. What about younger children? Orthodontic treatments like braces and a palatal expander, can be just as effective for children of younger ages. In fact, having these types of treatments performed at a younger age comes along with a number of additional benefits.
Shorter Treatment
Children begin developing their permanent teeth as early as 6 years old. If there is a problem with development, such as an overbite or a crossbite, these problems are generally recognizable shortly after the adult tooth comes in. A leading concern with alignment issues is that they generally get worse the longer they go untreated.
A child who doesn't get the proper orthodontic treatment until they are well into their teenage years will likely have alignment issues that are more significant than a younger child. The greater the severity of misalignment, the longer the treatment length will generally need to be.
Lower Cost
Particularly when it comes to braces, cost is a common concern for parents. Metal braces range anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000. There are a number of factors that influence cost, including the length of treatment. The longer your child needs to wear braces, generally, the more money you can expect to pay for treatment.
As previously noted, children who get started with orthodontic treatment at a young age generally don't need to wear braces as long as an older child who has more progressive issues, leading to a reduced cost.
Easier Acceptance
In terms of appearance, younger children are generally more carefree than teenagers. Telling a teen they need to wear metal braces for an extended period isn't generally a welcomed idea because it is perceived that the braces will somehow alter their physical appearance in a negative way.
Younger children aren't generally as self-conscious. They haven't quite reached that level of self-awareness where their image is a major focus in their lives. This generally leads to an easier acceptance of the braces and lower level of concern on your part that braces will somehow effect your child's self-confidence.
Once your child is of age, it's a good idea to have their teeth evaluated. An experienced orthodontist can recognize an alignment concern as young as 6 years old. Should there be a concern, your child will be placed on a treatment path that will help resolve and eliminate these problems sooner, rather than later.
For orthodontic treatment, contact an office such as Family Dentistry Of Woodstock.
Share