What Is The Best Age For A Child To Get Braces - Freehold Orthodontics
    • What Is The Best Age For A Child To Get Braces

    What Is The Best Age For A Child To Get Braces

    It is common knowledge that braces are generally for children, right?

    Well, that was in the past. In today’s world, adults are requesting braces just as much as children, if not more so. In the past, adults would be embarrassed to wear a full mouth of braces. However, things have certainly changed from back then. With the evolution of the world of braces, and the appearance of more esthetic options such as clear braces and Invisalign, it is now suitable for adults to get braces without feeling an ounce of embarrassment.

    That being said, it is far better and much easier to get braces as a child. So let’s dive in and know what is the best age for a child to get braces.

    Why are braces for children easier than adults?

    1. Appearance:

      As we established, most adults would downright refuse to wear metallic braces. That is not true for children. While some children could be self-conscious regarding their appearance with braces, most would consider it pretty cool to wear them.

    2. Bone structure:

      Our bones –including the jaws- start growing from the minute we arrive in this world, up until the age of about 16 years of age. After that age, our bone formation is complete and no more growth will happen. During that growth period, the teeth move very easily to their new position. On the contrary, when the growth is completed, teeth movement is quite difficult. This means that braces for children are far easier and require less force to move the teeth.

    3. Time:

      Same principle as before. Since the bone structure for children is softer, braces act much more rapidly on their teeth compared to adults. In simpler terms, if your orthodontist expects a child’s case to take about a year to complete, then a similar case for an adult would take about 2.

    What is the best age for a child to get braces?

    While we established that it is better to start braces as a child, there are still some factors to consider. First of all, braces can only be applied to permanent teeth. That means, in most cases, the orthodontist waits until all the permanent teeth appear inside the mouth. Not only that, but there is a certain period – commonly known as the growth spurt period – where the bone structure is very malleable and would respond easily to movement. This period is around the age of puberty, from about 12 to 16 years of age.

    Combine all that info, and you would find the best period to start braces for children is at about 12 to 13 years of age. Your orthodontist could readily identify the growth spurt period, and schedule your child’s treatment to conform with that. If your child’s treatment started during that period, you would expect it to take the least possible amount of time. In addition, your child would start feeling the effects very soon, adding to the motivation and driving him\her to continue their treatment.

    Time is an essential factor with braces. Choosing the right time could make all the difference.