What's the best age to start Orthodontic treatment?

 The majority of growing children would benefit from orthodontic treatment but what's the best age for braces? 

The answer is: it depends! There are several factors that can be taken into consideration before making a decision to start orthodontic treatment for your child. But before we get into that, there are three important things you should know:

1. Permanent teeth start growing around age 6

The first permanent teeth to grow are the first molars which grow behind the very last baby molars. Central incisors (front teeth) are the first teeth to replace baby teeth.

2. It takes around 5-6 years to complete the transition from baby to permanent teeth

Most children get their full set of permanent teeth around age 12-13.

3. A child's age is not always an accurate indicator of dental development

This means that some children develop and grow their teeth quickly while others do not. It is not uncommon to see a 9-year-old child with a full set of permanent teeth and a 15-year-old with several baby teeth in his/her mouth. There are a variety of causes for delayed dental development and in most cases, they are not a concern as long as permanent teeth grow eventually.


The best age for most children to get braces is right before losing their last set of baby teeth:

The majority of children would benefit from one round of comprehensive orthodontic treatment rather than the two-phase approach. The best age for braces (orthodontic treatment) is right before your child loses his/her last set of baby molars. This varies but is usually between 12-14 years old for most children. Starting treatment too early (too many baby teeth present) may result in longer treatment duration and potentially more negative consequences. On the other hand, starting treatment too late can make certain treatment options that rely on jaw growth more difficult and sometimes impossible without jaw surgery. The only way to avoid these issues is to see the orthodontist on a regular basis for growth guidance and start treatment at the right time.

Starting orthodontic treatment at the right time minimizes treatment duration and improves treatment results.

With proper diagnosis and planning, orthodontic treatment can be easier, more comfortable, and shorter in duration.


For adults, the best age for braces is "as soon as possible"!

Teeth continue shifting throughout life and in addition to the cosmetic impact, crooked teeth can be very destructive to your teeth and oral health. Adult orthodontics is gaining popularity especially because of the increased awareness and more discreet treatment options such as Invisalign. As an adult, you should start your orthodontic treatment as soon as it becomes feasible for you. The reasons are simple; first, if you’re unsatisfied with the appearance of your teeth, you will never be! Second, orthodontic problems never get better on their own and almost always get worse with time. Third, orthodontic treatment becomes more complex as new issues arise with age including other dental problems and health problems. 

Popular posts from this blog

What are the 10 most COMMON DENTAL PROBLEM and their TREATMENT???

Image
Dental problems are disturbing , but a majority of them can be prevented or easily resolved. Brushing twice a day, flossing daily, eating properly and educating yourself about common dental problems and their causes can also helps in preventing dental problems. 1. TOOTH DECAY Tooth decay , also known as  dental caries  or  cavities , is the breakdown of teeth  due to acids made by bacteria.   You get them when a sticky bacteria, called plaque, builds up on your teeth, slowly destroying the hard outer shell, called enamel.  The cavities may be a number of different colors from yellow to black.  According to the World Health Organization (WHO) about 60 to 90% of kids worldwide   have cavities. SYMPTOMS: Pain, Tooth loss, Difficulty eating.  COMPLICATION: Inflammation around the tooth, tooth loss, Infection, or abscess formation.  DURATION: Long term  PREVENTION:   The best way to prevent tooth decay is by brush...
Read more

MOUTH ULCER / ORAL ULCER / MUCOSAL ULCER

Image
  A  mouth ulcer  is an ulcer that occurs on the mucous membrane of the oral cavity. The two most common causes of oral ulceration are local trauma (e.g. rubbing from a sharp edge on a broken filling or braces, biting one's lip, etc.) and aphthous stomatitis   ("canker sores"), a condition characterized by recurrent formation of oral ulcers for largely unknown reasons. EROSION :  is a superficial breach of the epithelium, with little damage to the underlying lamina propria.  MUCOSAL EROSION:  is an erosion which specifically occurs on a mucous membrane.  EXCORIATION:   is a term sometimes used to describe a breach of the epithelium which is deeper than an erosion but shallower than an ulcer. ULCERATION:   is a break in the skin or mucous membrane with loss of surface tissue and the disintegration and necrosis of epithelial tissues. Diagramatic representation of mucosal erosion (left), excoriation (center), ...
Read more

WHAT CAUSES TOOTH SENSITIVITY? HOW TO GET RID FROM SENSITIVITY?

Image
Sensitive teeth involve experiencing pain or discomfort to your teeth from   sweets, cold air, hot drinks, cold drinks, or ice cream . Some people with sensitive teeth even experience discomfort from brushing and flossing. Sensitive teeth can also be a sign of a cracked tooth or a ​tooth abscess, which needs to be treated by your dentist to prevent losing a tooth or getting an infection in your jaw bone. CAUSES: Various things can cause tooth sensitivity. Some of the most common causes include: Worn tooth enamel from using a hard toothbrush and brushing aggressively. Tooth erosion due to highly acidic foods and beverages. Tooth decay, worn, leaky fillings, and broken teeth that expose the dentin of your tooth. Gum recession that leaves your root surface exposed. Grinding your teeth at night. Post dental treatment sensitivity is common but temporary, especially with crowns, fillings, and tooth bleaching. SIGN AND SYMPTOMS: The pain is sharp and sudden, in response to an external sti...
Read more