What is Braces for Children? Why Should They Be Started Early?
Braces for children (early orthodontic intervention) is a solution for correcting teeth and shaping the jawbone specifically for children in their developmental stage (from 6 to 12 years old). This is considered the "golden age" because the child's jawbone is in a growth phase, still soft and flexible. Timely intervention not only helps to balance the jawbone but also ensures that permanent teeth grow in the correct position, preventing serious misalignments such as jaw protrusion, jaw retrusion, or open bite in adulthood.
Common Braces Methods for Children
- Growth Appliances (6 – 12 years):
- EF Appliance (Functional Trainer): Used at night and for 2 hours during the day to help with orthodontic adjustments, intervene in bad habits (tongue thrusting, mouth breathing), and shape the dental arch.
- Headgear: Adjusts the relationship between the upper and lower jawbones, effectively supporting the treatment of children with jaw protrusion.
- Facemask: Pulls the upper jawbone forward, assisting in the treatment of jaw retrusion (reverse bite) in young children.
- Quad-Helix: Expands the narrow dental arch, creating space for permanent teeth to grow in straight alignment.
- Invisalign First & Teen: Clear aligners made from safe, biocompatible plastic that fit snugly over the teeth, allowing children to communicate confidently, easily remove for hygiene, and without causing pain or discomfort.
- Fixed Braces (from 12 years and older): Applied after the child has completed the full set of permanent teeth to fine-tune the bite details perfectly.
Outstanding Benefits of Early Braces for Children
- Shaping a Balanced Facial Profile: Correcting the jawbone position helps the child's face develop harmoniously, enhancing aesthetic angles.
- Minimizing the Risk of Jaw Surgery: Early jaw correction at ages 6 - 12 effectively addresses jaw protrusion/retrusion without the need for complex surgical interventions later in life.
- Establishing Good Hygiene Habits and Clear Speech: A proper bite helps children articulate clearly, avoiding lisping and making it easier to maintain clean teeth.
- Gentle Treatment Process, Less Pain: As the jawbone is still developing, the forces applied are gentle, allowing children to adapt quickly within just a few days.
