If you think that your child may need braces in the Washington, DC metro area, SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. We offer a wide variety of children’s orthodontic services to correct bite issues, straighten teeth, and set your child up for a lifetime of healthy smiles.
But what types of orthodontic appliances are there for kids, and which type of braces may be right for your family? In this guide, our team will explore the different types of braces that are available for kids. From traditional braces to hidden “lingual” braces, tooth-colored ceramic braces, and even Invisalign, we’ll discuss everything you need to know about your child’s options for pediatric orthodontic treatment.
Parents often think that children only need braces once they enter their teenage years. But this isn’t quite true. In many cases, children may have issues with the development of both their baby and adult teeth. If these are left untreated until your little one is a teenager, this can make their orthodontic treatment more complex and expensive, too.
That’s why the American Association of Orthodontics recommends that kids get a comprehensive orthodontic evaluation by the age of seven. At this time, your child’s orthodontist can identify potential tooth and bite alignment issues and recommend early intervention (phase 1 orthodontics) if necessary.
Getting an early evaluation and orthodontic treatment has lots of benefits for kids and parents, too. Your child can enjoy better oral development, healthier teeth, improved speech, and a more confident smile. And as a parent, you’ll enjoy a simpler treatment process, lower overall costs, and a reduced need for braces and other orthodontic treatments during your child’s teenage years.
Braces have been around for more than two centuries. But today’s braces are much different from those used in the past. Modern treatment planning, advanced materials, and superior treatment techniques have made the treatment faster, smoother, and simpler for both kids and parents.
All types of braces move teeth the same way. They exert gentle pressure on the teeth. This encourages the teeth to move into a different position, and the underlying jawbone reshapes itself to accommodate this in a process called “bone remodeling.” Under the guidance of an experienced orthodontist, orthodontic treatment results in a straight smile and a healthy bite.
Today’s braces are faster and more convenient than ever. While they used to require adjustments every 2-4 weeks, today’s patients can often go up to 6-8 weeks without visiting their orthodontist. Modern braces are also typically more comfortable due to digital treatment planning, smaller and smoother brackets, and materials that are less likely to irritate the gums, tongue, cheeks, and other soft tissues.
You’re probably familiar with traditional metal braces. This treatment method uses a series of metal brackets and rubber bands to hold a metal “archwire” in place. By tightening the archwire and switching to new rubber bands every few weeks, orthodontists can place even, gentle pressure on the teeth and encourage them to move toward healthier positions in the mouth.
Modern metal braces are pretty similar to the designs that were used a couple of decades ago. However, advancements in treatment planning and materials have made them more comfortable, reduced the frequency of brace tightening checkups, and simplified the process dramatically.
The biggest benefit of metal braces is that they are extremely versatile. They are an ideal choice for children with complex orthodontic needs, since they can be used alongside other orthodontic appliances, surgery, and treatments to resolve almost any problem with their teeth or bite alignment.
Ceramic braces are very similar to metal braces. The biggest difference is that they are made out of ceramic materials, and can be designed with clear or tooth-colored components to minimize their appearance on your child’s teeth.
Typically, your child’s orthodontist will place a set of tooth-colored brackets and a tooth-colored archwire, along with transparent rubber bands. This results in a much more natural appearance compared to stainless steel brackets and colored rubber bands.
As the name suggests, mini braces are similar to traditional braces. However, they're about 30% smaller, which means they won’t affect your child’s appearance as much as metal braces. Since they're smaller, the brackets used for metal braces are also less likely to poke and irritate your child’s tongue, lips, cheeks, and other oral tissues.
Also called “Damon” braces, this type of orthodontic treatment uses metal brackets that are “self-ligating.” Basically, this means that the archwire can be held in place without the need for rubber bands.
Self-ligating braces are more subtle, require less frequent adjustments, and often have faster treatment times than traditional metal braces, making them a great option for qualifying patients.
These are the best braces for kids and teens who wish to avoid the appearance of traditional braces. Instead of being placed on the fronts of your child’s teeth, lingual braces are applied to the rear (lingual) surfaces. This means that they are invisible when your child smiles!
Clear aligners aren’t braces at all. Instead of brackets and wires, they use thin plastic “aligners” or “trays” to move your child or teen’s teeth. These look similar to a retainer or a night guard for teeth grinding.
Each aligner is designed to be worn for about 20-22 hours per day for two weeks, and moves the teeth by about 0.2 millimeters. Your child will need to visit their orthodontist every 4-6 weeks for a checkup, and to receive their next few sets of aligners.
The biggest benefit of Invisalign and similar clear aligner systems is that they are almost completely invisible when worn. If your child or teen would like to straighten their teeth without the obvious appearance of braces, Invisalign may be a great choice.
The more extensive your child’s orthodontic issues are, the more likely it is that they will need traditional braces rather than an alternative like clear aligners. After their first consultation with an orthodontist, you can explore your options and determine which orthodontic treatment is right for your little one.
For older, responsible kids or teens, clear aligners are a great option. They offer great results without affecting their appearance, requiring dietary changes, or interfering with oral hygiene. However, clear aligners must be worn for 20-22 hours per day to keep their results on track. If you don’t think that your child will be responsible enough to do this, traditional braces will be a better option.
The cost of braces for kids is always a significant factor for parents. At SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry, we always offer transparent pricing estimates for pediatric orthodontics in the greater DC metro area. We can also work with your dental insurance plan to make sure you maximize your child’s orthodontic benefits.
If your child plays sports or a musical instrument, removable clear aligners may be a more convenient option for their treatment. However, if they're prone to losing or damaging their stuff, clear aligners may not be a good option, since they are easily damaged and misplaced with improper care.
Clear aligners for kids are a great option if your child or teen wants a more subtle, clear option for straightening their smile. However, some kids don’t mind how their teeth look with braces. In fact, since there are so many braces color options for rubber bands, some children love personalizing their teeth with the colors of their school, favorite sports team, and more.
If you’d like to learn more about the best braces for children, SuperKids Pediatric Dentistry is here to help. Our orthodontist for children, Dr. Rawia Alkhunaizi, offers expert care for kids of all ages at our Alexandria, VA and Sterling, VA offices. If you think that your child may need orthodontic treatment in the greater Washington, DC area, our team is here to help.
During your child’s visit with Dr. Alkhunaizi, you can learn more about their orthodontic challenges, discuss their options for treatment, and determine which type of braces will be right for their unique needs. We’re always accepting new patients, so please get in touch with our team online to book your little one’s first visit with Dr. Alkhunaizi. We look forward to meeting you soon!
We can’t wait to meet you! Contact one of our five convenient locations around the DC area.
We are excited to announce the GRAND OPENING of our fifth Superkids office in Mt Vernon, VA. Accepting new patients starting January 16th, 2023!
