Smiles are important. They’re also contagious. Every time you smile it means something, usually that you’re feeling good. But for some people, smiles aren’t as enjoyable than others, because every time they smile, they reveal something about themselves that they very much don’t like: malocclusion. What’s malocclusion? It’s a medical term for what most people would call crooked teeth, or “bad bite,” and for many people, it’s a serious hindrance to their own positive self-image, and well-being. That is sad. If you’re a parent, I’m guessing that you don’t want your child to feel that way. Who would? I wouldn’t wish it on anyone. Yet, the fact is that most people do not have completely straight teeth, naturally. It’s great when it happens, but most of the time, it doesn’t. Sometimes the malocclusion isn’t bad enough for them to care, but much of the time it is, and often what doesn’t seem that bad in childhood, and might even seem kind of cute, ends up being pretty embarrassing later. If you worry that your child might have malocclusion, visiting an orthodontic specialist can help. Orthodontists help correct crooked teeth, and that makes them exactly what your child needs.
If you’re wondering what services an orthodontist can provide, there are many, but the most common is of course braces. However, if your kid’s problem is less serious than something that requires braces, it’s possible they may get away with just using a retainer, or perhaps some spacers. However, best not to get you or your child’s hopes up, because braces are the most common treatment. That’s because they are extremely effective. But what a lot of people don’t realize is that there are also a lot of different types of braces than just the wire variety that you usually see kids wearing. While people who are most concerned with having a more discreet alternative are usually teens or adults, for obvious reasons, it’s possible that you may want to consider an alternative type of braces for your child. Especially for kids that are particularly self-conscious for their age, it may be better to choose one of these incognito alternatives. Kids braces help prevent future smile problems, so any braces that you can get your kid to wear are a good thing.
One great option that is usually still too visible for most teens and adults, but could be a great alternative for kids, is clear braces. Clear braces are a good option because they are almost exactly like wire braces, using the same strategy of fastening to the fronts of the teeth, the primary difference being that they are made from clear plastic material. This means that they are just as effective as wire braces, which is why metal braces are so widely used, but without as much of a negative aesthetic impact. Clear braces are a wonderful solution for kids that are a little bit too self-conscious for normal braces, without sacrificing effectiveness. However, if clear braces are still too much for your kid, then you could consider the alternatives that are more popular with adults. Lingual braces are another type of braces that attach to the backs of the teeth rather than the front, and are therefore basically invisible. The big drawback with this type, though, is that they can only be applied in some situations, and are not as versatile as other types.
Another alternative that is the most popular treatment for teens and adults is actually an alternative to braces called Invisalign. Although they are typically for adults, in some cases, orthodontists recommend Invisalign for kids. This is usually only when the children are old enough, however, since Invisalign is removable, and therefore could easily get lost or damaged by younger children. But, if your kid is older than seven or eight, and you think they can handle it, then Invisalign is certainly a possibility. The reason it is so popular with teens and adults is that it is practically invisible, much more so than clear braces, while also being widely applicable to most, if not all malocclusion, making it much more versatile than lingual braces. This, in addition to the fact that it can be removed for meals and for brushing and flossing, makes Invisalign by far the crowd favorite. The only drawback is that you have to go back to the orthodontist more often, with Invisalign, because new aligners have to be made every six to eight weeks, to replace the old ones, as the teeth get closer and closer to their ideal setting. But, if you don’t mind that, then to many people, Invisalign is the best option, and this could hold true for your kid, as well.