Miami Lakes Pediatric Orthodontist Specialist in Orthodontics for Children
Even if a child is starting to show signs that they will need braces at an early age, our experience and national consensus agree that a child’s first orthodontic check-up should occur around the age of seven. The fact is that most kids will not need orthodontic treatment at such an early age if any at all. Still, it is an excellent idea to have a check-up with a Miami orthodontic specialist to find out if there are any areas of concern for your child’s teeth, jaw, bite, etc.
Soon after your child has moved from primary (“baby”) teeth into adult teeth, he or she may start to show signs. Several orthodontic issues can and should be addressed at an early age, such as:
- Underbites, overbites, cross bites, narrow jaw formation, thumb sucking, over jetting of teeth, etc.
- Some signs that your child may need orthodontic treatment would be problems with speech, misaligned jaw growth,
- At Lakes Orthodontics, we are quite experiencing in dealing with and addressing the needs of kids in need of braces.
We encourage parents to visit us for a free consultation around the age of seven. It is around this age that gaps and misaligned become more obvious. This is because as kids lose their baby teeth, there is often not enough space for larger permanent ones to take their space. It is also around this time when braces are the most effective.
So, whether it appears or you think that your child needs pediatric orthodontic treatment, the easiest way to find out is to make a free no, obligation consultation with the award-winning, board-certified Miami Lakes children’s orthodontist Dr. Carmen Briceño Crespi. Give us a call at (305) 820-6800 or fill out the form below, and one of our smile specialists will contact you as indicated.
Here’s More Information Related to Pediatric Orthodontist in the Hialeah
Pros and Cons of Invisalign and Braces
When deciding what type of corrective hardware is right for you or your child, you will likely have many questions. It is important to choose the most effective and affordable option, while still keeping comfort and practicality in mind. The two main choices when correcting crooked teeth and gaps are braces and Invisalign. Invisalign first became popular in the year 2000; while it is relatively new, it is also very popular and effective. You are probably aware of braces and how they work. Metal brackets are glued to teeth. Wires connect the brackets and are made stronger, shorter, and tighter throughout the process. Invisalign produces the same end result as braces but uses clear plastic aligners or “trays’ instead of metal brackets and wires. Plastic aligners are worn in a series. The teeth straighten throughout the process, getting more and more straight with each aligner. The plastic is BPA free and completely clear.
In order to decide which of these methods is better for you, it is best to compare the pros and cons of each. In terms of appearance, Invisalign definitely comes out on top. The aligners are clear and invisible, for the most part. While braces can be enamel colored or clear, they are always visible and usually are a silver metal that stands out against your enamel. Braces are worn for an average of two years and can never be removed. Invisalign is worn for 22 hours out of each day for 6-18 months on average.
When it comes to cost, braces range anywhere from $3,000 dollars to $7,000 dollars depending on many options and the appliances. Invisalign costs around $4000 to $8,000 dollars in most cases. When you wear braces, you have to brush your teeth often to avoid food getting caught in the wires. Sometimes a water pick is also helpful. Invisalign has its own cleaning system. Other than that, you have to brush your teeth often and rinse the trays with slightly warm water. When you wear braces, you have to visit the dentist once a month for tightening and checkups. Invisalign requires you to change aligners once every 2 weeks, but you only have to visit the dentist every 4 to 6 weeks. Retainers are required after treatment for both braces and Invisalign.
There are pros to both braces and Invisalign. With braces, more complicated teeth issues are able to be addressed. There is also no need for self-discipline, as you cannot remove the braces as you please. Invisalign is not noticeable. It is removable, so you do not have to worry about what you eat. Food is less likely to collect in your teeth and you will not have to deal with the pain from wires and brackets. The main drawbacks to braces are the pain and sores that wires and brackets cause. Foods you are able to eat are limited and teeth are often stained in an odd way due to the brackets. Despite having to remove the aligners when you eat and having to brush well before putting them back in, there are not many real cons to Invisalign.
If you are interested in Invisalign, contact us for more information on how we can help you to transform your teeth into a beautiful smile.