Correctional dentistry can help a child develop a healthy set of teeth as they grow into adulthood.
One of the problems commonly found in children that require immediate attention is malocclusion. This is when a child has an irregular tooth alignment caused by overcrowding, genetics, eating habits, or dental accidents.
Fortunately, with a simple visit to the nearest clinic or children’s dentistry in Oshawa, the dentist can easily correct this dental malformation. You can choose between braces or Invisalign to fix the problem. However, with each method having its own pros and cons, how do you know which one is the best choice for your child?
Metal Braces
Considered the traditional version of corrective dental braces, metal braces use brackets strung into a metal wire and then attached to the teeth to hold them together. This method is then gradually adjusted over the year to allow the proper alignment of the teeth.
To aid in the process, a set of bands are often attached to it, to help align your jaw. In its modern version, metal braces are smaller, lightweight, and smoother than its older models.
It also has more variety when it comes to design choices as your children can now choose their preferred bracket colour. This method of correctional dentistry is often seen as more aggressive, since it does not only correct the teeth alignment itself, but it remodels the entire jawline as well.
- Pros
Compared to other brace options, metal braces have these advantages for your children:
- It cannot be removed by your kids, which can speed up the correction process
- Customizable fit
- Made of durable and non-corrosive materials
- Less expensive
- Children can still properly talk while wearing it without causing any unnecessary lisp
- Offers variety in colour design
- Cons
On the other hand, metal braces also have some disadvantages such as:
- Eating candies and sticky foods should be avoided
- More noticeable
- Hard and crunchy food will cause discomfort during eating
- Minor discomfort on the cheeks will be felt during the first few days
- Mouthguards will be required during sports
- Food can be trapped between teeth and cause cavities
Clear Braces
Using a similar design to traditional metal braces, clear braces are made up of plastic moulds or ceramic. This material change allows the child to have braces without pulling too much attention to them since the transparent appearance makes them less obvious. One crucial difference between clear and metal braces is that the former can be removed by your child if they want to.
- Pros
Clear braces have the following advantages for your children, due to their use of ceramic material:
- Less noticeable
- Applies a more comfortable amount of pressure
- Gently straighten out misalignments
- No staining
- No lisps or changes in pronunciation
- Can be easily removed and cleaned with brushing and flossing
- Cons
Clear braces also have some drawbacks though, such as:
- Requires diligent cleaning schedule
- Mild cheek discomfort during first days of use
- Easy to misplace due to its clear design
Invisalign
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Considered the instrument that combines the best out of metal braces and clear braces, with its completely clear design, Invisaligns from Oakville, or any dental clinic, allows children to wear them without feeling self-conscious about it.
They’re also very easy to remove, which can allow for easy cleaning and flossing. Furthermore, it can also correct teeth misalignment in a lesser period than braces.
Invisalign is also as effective as metal braces making it the perfect choice for children that have major correctional needs without wanting to look like they’re wearing braces. Made of flexible plastic, they are perfectly adaptable to any temperature or food acidity as well.
- Pros
With its major upgrade in material and design, Invisalign has the following added benefits:
- More comfortable to wear than traditional braces
- Straightens out teeth in 6 months
- Can be easily removed during games, eating, and oral care
- Adjustments are done every 2 weeks, putting less pressure on the mouth and fewer dental appointments
- No dietary restrictions are imposed
- Nearly invisible
- Cons
Invisalign also has its disadvantages such as the following:
- A slight effect on speech
- Easy to misplace due to its clear design
- More expensive
- Aligners are needed
- Cannot fix severe bite problems
Now that you’ve been given all the options, you’ll be able to pick the right correctional dentistry option for your child. Malocclusion is a serious oral health problem that can lead to cavity growth. If you just let it be, then your child may end up with oral health problems that will lead to buying dentures in London, Ontario in the future just to remedy their smile.