Are your child’s adult teeth coming in crooked? Correcting them isn’t just about making them look better; it’s also about keeping their smile healthy. Crooked teeth can be hard to floss, and lack of flossing could cause your child to develop cavities. By acting early, you can help prevent this and other problems.

When choosing an orthodontic treatment for your child, you may be inclined to go straight to metal braces. However, you should know that there have been many changes in how orthodontists straighten teeth over the years. Clear aligners are one such advancement.

Clear aligners are a popular and discreet alternative to metal braces, but how do they stack up? Is this a safe teeth-straightening method for kids? The answer is “maybe.”

Clear Aligners vs. Traditional Braces

When most people think of fixing crooked teeth, they think of metal brackets and wires. Sometimes, traditional braces are the best option. However, it ultimately comes down to your child’s unique oral health.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners debuted in the 1990s but didn’t become popular until the past couple of decades. These orthodontic devices are made from clear, smooth plastic. They’re mostly invisible and are more comfortable than orthodontic braces. Your child can remove their clear aligners to brush their teeth, and they won’t have any food restrictions.

This non-conventional approach to straighter teeth won’t cause your child discomfort due to broken brackets and poking wires. Clear aligners also require fewer office visits because the patient receives several aligners at once, and appointments tend to be short because fewer components need replacing.

Traditional Braces

Despite the growing trend in clear aligners, there will always be a place for metal braces. Brackets and wires are strong and can withstand most types of treatment and stress, making them more effective for complex cases. Traditional orthodontic treatment is often more affordable than alternatives like clear aligners as well.

Traditional braces are considered “fixed” because the brackets are bonded to the tooth’s enamel. As such, kids can’t remove (or misplace) them. That said, they offer some degree of customizability, with various colors and accents available.

When might clear aligners be an option?

Clear aligners work best to straighten mild to moderately misaligned teeth. They use specially molded trays to slowly shift teeth into the correct position. However, they’re less efficient at altering the course of movement, making them unlikely to meet the needs of those with severe issues.

Before beginning treatment, patients must commit to wearing their aligners. This treatment requires responsibility and compliance, as the trays must be worn for 22 hours per day. Patients who can’t make this commitment won’t see the desired results.

The orthodontist will consider your child’s age when deciding whether clear aligners are appropriate. Children can’t receive clear aligner treatment until all of their adult teeth erupt. This typically happens between ages 12 and 13, but it can vary.

Maturity also matters. Some kids simply can’t handle the responsibility of keeping up with their trays.

When are traditional braces necessary?

Since clear aligners work best for slightly crooked teeth, metal braces are the more suitable option for extreme orthodontic issues.

With braces, the treating orthodontist has more control over the movement of the teeth, facilitating the treatment of complex conditions like a crooked jaw. Traditional braces may also be recommended for patients with an overbite or underbite.

Some children may need traditional braces because of the practicality of a fixed appliance. It’s not uncommon for a child to remove their retainer during lunch only to throw it away by accident! Having a non-removable appliance will prevent accidents like this from happening.

Which option is best for your child?

The best way to find out which option is most suitable for your child is to schedule a visit with orthodontic or pediatric dental offices in Waldorf or Prince Frederick, MD.

Clear aligners may be the best option if your primary concern is aesthetics. However, traditional braces have undergone many changes and are no longer the same awkward, bulky fixtures they were decades ago.

The bottom line is that either option can provide satisfactory results, as long as your child is willing and able to use it correctly.

Consider the pros and cons of each treatment before making a decision, and make sure to heed your orthodontist or pediatric dental care provider’s recommendation.

Protect your child’s healthy smile.

Before choosing how to enhance your child’s smile, the first thing you should do is speak with a qualified orthodontist.

At We Make Kids Smile, we take pride in helping correct misaligned teeth and jaws. Whether we’re doing the work ourselves or teaming up with another dental group, we’ll ensure your child receives top-notch pediatric dental care.

Take control of your child’s oral health. Contact us today to get an evaluation on your calendar. We’ll answer all your questions, even if they’re as simple as “What is an orthodontist?”