Conventional Braces

Continuing research shows that health problems as varied as headaches and breathing problems may be related to abnormal alignments of the bones of the face and jaw. For example, a person with a long, narrow face is more likely to have problems breathing through his/her nose.

The key to successful diagnosis and treatment is early intervention--treatment should begin as early as possible. Many parents wait until children are in their teens before considering braces. But once a child reaches the age of 13, jaw development slows and there is limited room for growth.

When a child is treated between the ages of 5 and 11, the dentist can redirect the child's growth and reduce the length of time the child must wear braces, along with alleviating problems such as headaches, jaw pain, earache, mouth breathing and sleep apnea.

Braces are made of metal or plastic, braces include brackets attached to the teeth and wires that connect them. Pressure to move the teeth is caused by adjusting the wires regularly.

The length of time a person wears braces depends on age, the severity of the problem and the condition of the mouth. However, the average child wears braces for 18-30 months. After the braces are removed, a removable retainer must be worn for the same length of time to hold the teeth in their proper position until they're more secure.

Wearing braces usually begins around age 10 although braces can be worn at any age. A good thing is your smile is something you can change. Early orthodontic intervention, where appropriate, can make treatment more predictable. It can also help to alleviate that ugly duckling teeth phase much earlier, which can be helpful to a child’s self image as well.