It is possible to align your child’s teeth without the help of braces. However, it is a little complicated for a few people. It is best to consult a dentist to check for the condition of your child’s misaligned teeth and the right approach to correct them.
Alternative #1: Clear Aligners
Products such as Invisalign are clear aligners that are removable and are better options than braces. Clear aligners are similar to thin and transparent mouthguards. Such tools work the best to straighten your child’s teeth. You can also opt for a tailored fit for your child’s teeth. The dentist usually replaces the set over a few weeks, which moves the teeth into their desired position over the treatment course. You can browse for the best dental services for kids near me to seek assistance in your location.
A few advantages of clear aligners are as follows:
- Metal braces are available from a mile away, whereas clear aligners give the children a positive and confident look. If your child is shy, they will like that person would not easily recognize the aligners in their mouths.
- Traditional braces have plenty of instructions concerning food and eating habits. For example, you cannot eat sticky gums, popcorn and drink soda. With clear aligners, you need not follow any rules as to what your child can eat. They have to remove the trays before every meal and put them back after they finish dining.
- Mental braces are painful, especially during the tightening phase. Also, when a wire gets out of its line and pokes the gums and cheeks, it might lead to infections. Clear aligners do not possess any metal, it only has soft plastic, which means that your child will not face such high pain levels.
- Such a treatment best fits a discreet appearance, in comparison to the traditional braces. Usually, those who want to correct minor orthodontic problems, including crooked, protruding teeth and little gaps, can opt for clear aligner treatment.
Alternative #2: Dental Veneers
If you have mild orthodontic issues, your dentist might suggest dental veneers. Dental veneers are thin coverings made from composite resin or porcelain. The dentist will bond it to the front of your teeth to change the appearance of your smile. Veneers are fundamentally a cosmetic change and do not offer the same potential health advantages as an in-depth orthodontic treatment.
Alternative #3: Do-It-Yourself Teeth Straightening
Several blogs, videos, and instructional videos make the rounds of DIY teeth straightening procedures. However, orthodontic specialists and dental professionals are repeatedly warning people about such attempts without professional supervision. Any dental procedure without an expert can put your health at risk. Moreover, children have their gums and oral health in developmental stages. So, practicing such tasks can ruin their oral health drastically. In light of this, consult a dentist who would check your child’s oral health and recommend a procedure that would best fit your child.
There is no natural way to straighten the teeth. All dental treatments possess risks. However, with increased research, the risk factors are almost negligible. You can equally cause harm to your teeth if you do it without any professional aid. If you face any urgent dental attention, opt for a Baton Rouge emergency dentist immediately to resolve the issue.
Alternative #4: Retainers
Depending on your child’s misalignment severity, the dentist can recommend retainers, either fixed or removable. Such retainers help in avoiding any movement of teeth from time to time.
Alternative #5: Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders make the upper jaw wider to enhance the child’s bite, allowing for more room for adult teeth to grow. Such palatal expanders are mostly invisible. However, patients might feel some levels of discomfort when the dentist adjusts them.
Alternative #6: Tooth Contouring
Tooth contouring or tooth reshaping involves removing small amounts of tooth enamel to reshape the child’s teeth that stick out. The procedure is relatively inexpensive and painless.
The Dentist’s Suggestions
Most of the time, traditional metal braces might occur as the only option if you have severely misaligned teeth. A dentist or an orthodontist will check for the condition and recommend the correction’s best possible way. Moreover, they will also explain the potential risks and complications associated with the therapies. It is wise to ask them questions for you to stay informed about your child’s oral health.
Straightening teeth is not always about looks. Misaligned teeth are difficult to floss and brush, which can ultimately lead to a surge in your risk of tooth decay and cavities shortly. Protruding teeth can also occur as a significant risk of injury in the case of children.
With advancing technology, braces are not the only options that one can leverage to fix misaligned teeth in children. From metal or ceramic braces to clear aligners and veneers, it is ideal to choose an alternative that best suits the severity of your child’s teeth’ misalignment. If you need a good recommendation, you can get fillings with the pediatric dentist in coconut grove fl.