Smiling Brighter: Understanding Pediatric Braces for Straighter Teeth
As a parent, you strive to give your child only the best. This is especially the case when it comes to their dental health. If you’ve been recommended or have been considering pediatric braces for your child, you may have some questions about what they are, why they’re needed, and how to care for them.
At Absolute Dental, our dental team is proud to offer the best affordable braces for kids and adults in Las Vegas, NV. Our experienced staff, oral hygienist, dentists, and specialists are committed to demystifying all of your questions and concerns when it comes to your child’s oral health. Our dedicated team is ready to offer only the best for your child and their dental needs.
We will work with you and your child to determine what the best plan of care is when it comes to their teeth. Read on to learn more about pediatric braces, and whether they might be a good fit for your child. As one of the leading dental teams offering quality pediatric braces for kids in Las Vegas, we are excited to serve your child and their dental needs. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!
Call (844) 8-SMILE-NOW or fill out the form to make an appointment for your child today!
What are pediatric braces?
Misaligned teeth or jaw structure is a dental issue both adults and children might suffer from. At face value, this type of misalignment can cause cosmetic hindrances that may impact your child’s confidence and smile.
More importantly, however, this misalignment can restrict your child’s ability to chew, speak, or move their jaw properly or in a manner that does not do more harm over time.
One of the most common ways to remedy a misaligned jaw or tooth structure is through the use of pediatric braces, also known as orthodontic braces. Pediatric braces are a type of dental appliance that is used to correct the alignment of teeth and the jaw. These braces are typically recommended for children and teenagers who have misaligned teeth, gaps, overbites, underbites, or other orthodontic problems.
Though pediatric braces are recommended for older children, younger children who have lost all of their baby teeth or have gaps in their teeth may be good candidates as well.
Using pediatric braces allows your child to feel confident in their smile both in the short term and in the future as these dental devices will continue to provide correction well into adulthood.
Having healthy teeth starts young. Contact our Las Vegas pediatric dentists to schedule an appointment for your child today(844) 8‑SMILE‑NOW (844) 876‑4536
A beautiful smile and the confidence that comes with it is priceless. It’s also very affordable with our limited time promo, braces as low as $89/mo!
Understand the different types of pediatric braces
As with adult braces, children will have access to several types of pediatric braces. Knowing the difference between these types is critical to choosing the right set for your child. At Absolute Dental, we are proud to carry a variety of different pediatric braces for kids in Las Vegas.
Traditional metal braces – These types of metal braces are the quintessential coming-of-age dental appliance for children who have jaw or teeth misalignment issues. As the most common type of pediatric braces, they include components such as metal brackets, archwires, and elastic bands. Children have the option of choosing different colors for their metal brackets which helps add to their sense of style. In addition to being one of the most popular, they are also one of the most cost-effective types of braces. Additionally, they are the best option for children who suffer from severe misalignment.
Partial braces – For children who do not require a full set of braces, partial braces are an option that will be available to them. As the name suggests, partial braces are only fixed on a portion of the teeth, either the top or the bottom. Additionally, these types of braces can target specific teeth and can be a great solution for children with only minor misalignment issues.
Mini braces – These types of braces are very much like traditional wire braces aside from the fact that the wiring and bracket system is much smaller. This allows mini braces to be more comfortable than their traditional counterparts, and they are not as restricting as traditional braces may be.
Ceramic braces – Ceramic braces are an exciting type of pediatric dental appliance because they minimize the appearance of the appliance as a whole by utilizing clear brackets, allowing ceramic braces to be less noticeable despite their larger size. Unlike metal brackets, however, ceramic braces are a bit more fragile making them a better option for older children.
Invisalign – One of the most popular types of orthodontic solutions for adults that are growing in popularity with children is Invisalign braces. Often dubbed clear braces, Invisalign is nearly invisible and includes a set of aligners that are easy to replace and remove. Used in mild to moderate cases, Invisalign can help straighten out misaligned teeth without the need for brackets, metal wiring, or rubber bands. It’s important to note however that Invisalign braces do require more care, and might not be a good solution for all children because of the level of responsibility associated with them.
Why do kids need braces?
While the cosmetic enhancement braces can offer is a very tangible reason for children to get braces, it is understandably not the most important reason. Children need braces to improve the functionality of their teeth and jaw as a whole, especially as they get older. Pediatric braces can help fight against very real issues including a child crossbite, underbite, open bite, overbite, issues related to thumb sucking, and missing permanent teeth. Braces can help to improve a child’s oral health, as well as boost their self-confidence and self-esteem.
How to care for pediatric braces
Caring for pediatric braces is essential to ensure their effectiveness and prevent damage to the braces or teeth. The type of care you give your child’s braces relates to the type of braces they have. For example, if they opt for traditional wire braces, it’s important to brush and floss regularly and avoid sticky and hard foods. On the other hand, if you and your child opt for Invisalign braces, your child will need to be incredibly diligent in keeping up with proper removal, replacement, and overall care of their alignment trays.
What are the benefits of interceptive orthodontic treatment?
Interceptive orthodontic treatment involves identifying and correcting orthodontic problems early on, typically between the ages of 6 and 10. This type of treatment can help to prevent more serious orthodontic issues from developing later on, which can save time and money in the long-run.
Even if your child has not lost all of their baby teeth, intervening early on if you are concerned about orthodontic issues can help your child avoid costly and unnecessary dental procedures in the future.
Does my child need braces?
Whether or not your child needs braces depends on their specific orthodontic needs. At Absolute Dental, our team will carefully assess your child’s oral health and our experienced dentist and orthodontist will make a recommendation on whether or not they need pediatric braces. The severity of your child’s orthodontic needs can also determine whether your child will utilize a full or partial set of braces, as well as the type of braces that might be best suited for them.
Schedule an appointment with the experts at Absolute Dental
At Absolute Dental, our team is committed to offering the best care, recommendations, and options for child braces in Las Vegas. Give us a call or visit one of our offices today to learn more about our pediatric orthodontist services and work with a leading pediatric orthodontist in Las Vegas. Our team is committed to helping all children find joy and confidence in their smiles. For some children, pediatric braces can be the perfect solution. Contact us to schedule a consultation today!
Get the facts: frequently asked questions about pediatric braces
Many dental insurance plans cover a portion of the cost of pediatric braces. However, the amount of coverage varies depending on the plan. Speaking with your insurance company and orthodontist can provide you with a baseline of how much you can expect to pay out of pocket for your child’s pediatric braces.
The length of time a child needs to wear braces depends on their specific orthodontic needs. The type of braces you use as well as the severity of a child’s orthodontic needs will also impact how long they wear braces. Typically, however, the average length of time is around two years.
It’s best to stick to soft foods that won’t damage the braces, such as soup, mashed potatoes, and smoothies. This is not so much to protect the braces themselves, but more so to protect your child’s comfort level. On the day your child’s pediatric braces are placed, your child might experience soreness and lingering numbness adjusting to the installation process.
Braces can help to correct the alignment of the jaw, which can improve the appearance of the jawline. Your child shouldn’t notice a major difference, but they might notice a change in the way their jaw looks and feels.
Braces can help to improve the alignment of the teeth and jaws, which can have a positive impact on a child’s facial structure. For example, correcting overbites and underbites can change the way your child’s smile looks. However, braces alone cannot change the shape of the face.
Sources:
Anne & Robert H. Lurie Childrens Hospital of Chicago Jaw Deformities (2023)
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Absolute Dental is a preferred provider for most insurances, unions, and hotels that include: Aetna, Ameritas, Boon-Chapman, Caesars Palace, Cigna, Delta Dental, Diversified, Geha, Guardian, Harrah’s, HealthSCOPE Benefits, Health Plan of Nevada (HPN), Humana, Liberty, Met-Life, MGM-MIRAGE, Premier Access, The Standard, Station Casinos, Teachers Health Trust, United Concordia, United Healthcare, Venetian, and The Zenith. We also accept Medicaid.
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