If you want your child to grow up with a healthy smile, you should schedule an orthodontic appointment for them around the age of 7. This will give us a chance to catch potential alignment issues early on; specifically, we’ll check for signs of crooked or crowded teeth, gaps, speech issues, protruding teeth, or a disproportionately large jaw. Any of these symptoms could point to the need for orthodontic treatment.
Oftentimes, we’ll recommend Phase 1 Orthodontics to help your child’s smile develop healthily while reducing the need for additional treatments later. This might involve a removable oral appliance, or it could even be as simple as addressing harmful habits such as thumb-sucking. By taking these simple steps while your child’s mouth is still developing, you could potentially help them avoid braces and other extensive procedures altogether.
The idea behind braces is simple: the metal brackets are attached to the teeth and are connected by a wire that exerts a steady amount of pressure. Over time, this causes your teeth to move towards their ideal positions. Braces have been used for decades now, and with good reason: compared to other orthodontic treatments, they can be used to correct even the most complex cases.
Many older patients think they’ve already missed their chance to benefit from braces, but that’s simply not true; while they are typically recommended for children, they can also be very effective for adults.
Normally, braces are worn for about two to three years or less. During that time, you’ll need to visit Dr. Alkhoury on a regular basis for adjustments.
For adults with careers to worry about, wearing unsightly metal braces is probably the last thing you want to have to worry about at important meetings or interviews. That’s why older patients with moderate orthodontic issues might benefit from wearing Invisalign clear aligners. These are clear, plastic trays that are designed especially for your unique smile. Each aligner is worn for about two weeks, during which time they’ll slightly move your teeth towards their desired positions; you’ll then move on to the next aligner in the series. In most cases, it will take about 12 to 18 months to complete your Invisalign treatment.
Invisalign isn’t just a more aesthetically pleasing alternative to braces; it’s also more convenient. The aligners can be taken out so that you can eat whatever you want without worrying about diet restrictions. You also won’t have to worry about brushing and flossing around your orthodontic appliance.
