What Age Should Braces Be Considered?

It used to be that braces were not placed on the teeth until the ages during the teen years; this has changed because braces have changed and the understanding of bite problems and tooth alignment has changed. In some situations the bite problem can be corrected much easier and mostly pain free when a child is younger while the bones are doing their main growing. This is also when they are the most pliable and can be changed without discomfort.

At the ages between 8 and 9 the jaw is growing and at this time the orthodontist can begin to change the bite pattern with appliances that are not full braces because the second teeth or permanent teeth are not completely in at this time. Then at the ages between 12 and 14 braces can be placed on the teeth because all of the permanent teeth have come in and the bite pattern is ready to be changed.

With many bite or alignment problems that need to be corrected the jaw needs to be stretched and the younger the age the easier it is for the orthodontist to do this and for the patient. This also means the amount of time that braces will be needed will be less because the much of the work to change the alignment or the bite was done while the child was growing. It also will mean fewer adjustments and that means there will be less discomfort while wearing the braces.