Should Your Child Get Braces or Aligners?
Posted on February 17, 2023
Every parent wants their child to have good self-esteem and to be as healthy and happy as possible. It’s very common for children to have crooked teeth as their adult teeth start to come in. If not treated, crooked teeth can cause bite and oral hygiene problems.
When debating on which type of orthodontic treatment to go with for your child, it’s a good idea to keep their self-esteem in mind. Different orthodontic systems have different effects on the children who wear them. In many cases, it’s best to choose clear aligners for this reason if your child is a good candidate for them.
According to Align Technology, 47% of teenage users of Invisalign find that the aligners gave them a boost in their self-esteem while undergoing treatment.
The Benefits of Using Aligners
When a child gets clear aligners, they come with a number of benefits that can make them a better choice for some than braces. Clear aligners are far easier to put in than installing braces. They are clear trays that fit over the teeth, and they aren’t attached to the teeth. This makes them easier and less painful than the braces installation process that requires gluing brackets to teeth and, sometimes, putting metal bands around the back teeth. Aligners are also clear, so they aren’t very noticeable. While metal braces are easy to spot, people may not notice aligners at all.
Aligner systems also tend to be worn for less time than braces. They also can be removed when your child eats so that there is no long list of foods that are forbidden as with traditional braces. This allows for a lot more flexibility and makes it easier to wear these systems. They also tend to be more comfortable to wear because they’re made from smooth plastic instead of metal wires.
Why People Usually Go with Braces
With so many benefits of wearing aligners, why do people wear braces? There are a number of tooth problems that aligners can’t help with. There are some problems that require braces to change. During your initial consultation, your orthodontic team will discuss your treatment case and decide if you will need aligners or braces.
Braces are highly effective, so if your child can’t wear aligners, they will still get help through braces. Contact us today if your child needs orthodontic treatment!