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Did you know that 90% of kids have some form of misaligned teeth? That includes overbites, underbites, and overcrowding of teeth. But, only about 10-15% of kids have a serious enough problem with their teeth that they need treatment.

As a parent or caregiver, taking care of your child is your number one priority. You want to do everything in your power to ensure your child is happy and healthy. Part of that includes the health of their teeth.

With the help of Children’s Dental and Orthodontics, a Dallas orthodontist, you can make sure your child has the healthiest smile they can get. 

For many kids and teens, having a smile they can feel proud about is key to their self-confidence in life. Kids with misaligned teeth can feel a sense of shame or fear of what other kids think of their appearance. By taking care of the issue and getting their teeth aligned, kids can have relief about their smiles and experience better self-esteem.

Are you still on the fence about it? Keep reading to learn all the benefits of children’s orthodontics.

What is an Orthodontist?

You might be wondering what exactly an orthodontist is and why you should consider taking your child to see one. At first glance, it might not be obvious how they are different from a dentist. You might be thinking your child needs to see a dentist, and that should be good enough for them. 

But, did you know there’s a difference between a dentist and an orthodontist? Both are doctors trained in oral hygiene, but focus on different aspects of your mouth. A dentist will take care of the condition of your teeth. This includes teeth cleaning, extraction, and more.

An orthodontist completes the same level of education as a dentist, but then will go on to complete a residency and receive a certificate of orthodontics. This residency lasts from 2 to 3 years, where they learn techniques for tooth alignment.

Some people will only need to see a dentist in their life, and do not need to worry about seeing an orthodontist. But, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child have an orthodontic appointment by age 7, especially if their pediatrician notices some form of misalignment.

Your child might be diagnosed with malocclusion, which is a level of misalignment in your teeth that causes issues with overbite, underbite, as well as an overcrowding of teeth.

This is where orthodontic services come in. An orthodontist will look at your teeth and come up with a plan for dealing with the misalignment. While a dentist will look at the health of your mouth, an orthodontist will specifically treat the issue of misalignment.

How Does a Dallas Orthodontist Help With Misalignment?

At Children’s Dental and Orthodontics of Dallas, a pediatric orthodontist will meet with you and your child to review the history of their teeth and determine the best steps to take for the health of their mouth.

When most people find out that their child has a misalignment with their teeth, they will think braces or surgery are the only options. But, there are now a number of options available, many of which we offer here at your favorite Dallas orthodontist.

At Children’s Dental and Orthodontics, your trusted Dallas orthodontist, we make sure you and your child are happy with the level of care. As a pediatric dental team, we understand that your child isn’t thrilled to have someone looking at their teeth. But, with our compassionate and fun team of experts, we make sure to accommodate your child’s specific needs.

At your consultation, your orthodontist will review X-rays, as well as plaster models of your teeth, to see the extent of the misalignment and to determine the best course of action. 

How is Misalignment Treated?

While you are still able to get traditional braces, depending on the extent of the issue, you might want to consider some other options first. 

The first option is what’s called Phase I Orthodontics. This is an early preventative treatment in younger kids that found to be more prone to misalignment in later years. This kind of treatment is usually for a shorter timeframe and focused on making sure there will be enough room in your child’s mouth when their adult teeth begin to come in.

Some other options for later on in the process would be the traditional braces, clear/ceramic braces, or Invisalign clear braces. All three options are effective ways to help your child’s smile and confidence improve. 

With traditional braces, orthodontists place metal brackets on your teeth by means of a bonding material. With the help of O-rings, a wire called an “archwire” moves your teeth into place. The orthodontist tightens this during the appointment until the desired alignment is accomplished.

Clear and ceramic braces are about the same as the traditional kind, but they are made of a more delicate material. These provide a more natural look to your child’s smile and make it less obvious that they are wearing them. 

Another option for straightening your child or teen’s smile is Invisalign. Invisalign is a popular and newer treatment that involves the orthodontist creating a set of aligners that are unique to the patient’s tooth structure.

As your child or teen wears the transparent aligners, their teeth will move until they need the next set in the treatment plan. This will continue until their teeth move into the correct placement.

Care You Can Rely On

At Children’s Dental and Orthodontics of Dallas, we make sure your child or teen’s needs are taken care of. When it comes to straightening teeth, we understand everyone is a little different. That’s why our personalized care will leave you satisfied every time.

Having straight teeth can help improve your child’s confidence and have them smiling more. Requesting a consultation with your trusted Dallas orthodontist is the best first step to a better smile. So, schedule an appointment today, and see what our trusted team can do for you and your family.