Braces handle almost any bite problem and stay on full time. Clear aligners are removable and nearly invisible, and they work well for motivated teens who will wear them 20 to 22 hours a day. Your child's bite usually decides.
When the orthodontist says your child is ready for treatment, the next question is almost always which kind. Metal braces, tooth-colored braces, braces hidden behind the teeth and clear aligners all straighten teeth, but they ask different things of your child. Here is how the options compare, what tends to make one a better fit and how our orthodontist in 4S Ranch helps families choose.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check by age 7. That early visit is mostly about watching jaw growth and how the adult teeth are coming in. Most children who need full treatment start braces between ages 9 and 14, once most of their permanent teeth have come in.
Some kids benefit from a first phase of early interceptive orthodontics while baby teeth are still present, to guide growth before problems become harder to correct. If you are not sure whether your child is due for a visit, our post on when your child should see an orthodontist covers the signs to watch for.
With braces, small brackets are bonded to the teeth and connected with a wire. Your child comes in every several weeks for adjustments that keep the teeth moving in the right direction. When the teeth are in place, the braces come off and retainers help keep the results.
Braces can treat crowding, gaps, overbites, underbites, crossbites and more, including complex cases that other options may not handle as well. Because they are fixed to the teeth, they work around the clock without your child having to remember anything. Treatment time varies, but many children wear braces for about 18 to 24 months. Learn more on our braces for kids and teens page.
If your child likes the reliability of braces but wants them to be less noticeable, there are two other styles to consider. Ceramic braces use tooth-colored brackets that blend in with the smile. They rely on the same mechanics as metal braces and can treat many of the same problems. The brackets resist staining, but the clear elastic ties can discolor from foods like curry and drinks like soda, and those ties are replaced at each adjustment. In some situations, ceramic braces may take slightly longer than metal.
Lingual braces are bonded to the inside surfaces of the teeth, facing the tongue, so they cannot be seen from the front. Some children notice a slight lisp at first, and most adjust within a few weeks. Not every bite is suited to lingual braces, so the orthodontist will look at the size and shape of your child's teeth first.
Clear aligners are a series of custom trays made from transparent plastic. A digital scan of your child's teeth is used to plan treatment and create the series. Your child switches to a new set on a set schedule, and each set moves the teeth a little closer to their final position. We check progress at periodic visits, and retainers keep the results once treatment is complete.
The catch is wear time. Aligners need to be worn about 20 to 22 hours a day to work, coming out only to eat, drink anything other than water, brush and floss. An aligner sitting in a backpack is not moving any teeth. That is why the honest answer to whether aligners suit your child depends as much on habits as on the bite itself.
Here is a quick side-by-side look at the factors families ask about most:
Start with the bite. If your child has a complex problem, braces are often the more predictable route, and the orthodontist will say so. If the case can be treated either way, the decision comes down to your child.
A few questions can help. Does your child keep track of things like retainers, glasses or sports gear? Will they take aligners out only when they should and put them right back in? Do they play an instrument or sport where one option is more comfortable? Are they self-conscious about how braces look? Many teens do very well with clear aligners, and our orthodontist will help you weigh your child's habits.
Whichever option your child chooses, clean teeth make treatment go smoother. With braces, brush after meals and floss every day with a floss threader or water flosser, since food collects around brackets and wires. Hard and sticky foods can break brackets, so popcorn kernels, hard candy and chewy sweets should wait until after treatment.
With aligners, the trays come out for brushing and flossing, so the routine stays close to normal. The aligners themselves need care too: rinse them whenever they come out and brush them gently with a soft toothbrush and cool water. Avoid hot water, which can warp the plastic. Keep regular cleanings and exams on the calendar during treatment as well.
Our orthodontist examines your child's teeth, bite and jaw, takes records and explains which options are a good fit and what treatment will involve. Because pediatric dentistry and orthodontics are both offered in-house at our 4S Ranch office, your child's dentist and orthodontist can share records and coordinate care without referrals across town.
Cost depends on the treatment plan, the type of appliance and how long treatment lasts. We go over costs, insurance and financing before treatment starts. We accept all PPO insurance plans, and flexible financing through CareCredit can help with costs insurance does not cover. You can also browse clear aligners for teens before the visit.
Yes, aligners can work well for teens who are ready for the responsibility. Success depends on wearing them consistently, so our orthodontist will talk with you about whether they suit your child's bite and habits.
Placing braces is usually comfortable. Teeth may feel sore for a few days after placement and adjustments, which over-the-counter pain relief and soft foods can ease.
It depends on the case. Treatment length varies with the bite and the patient, and the orthodontist will give you an estimate for braces or aligners at the consultation.
Yes. Whichever option your child uses, retainers help keep the teeth in their new positions once active treatment ends.
Not sure whether braces or clear aligners are right for your child? Our orthodontist will look at the bite, talk through the options with your family and help you choose with confidence. Request an appointment with 4S Pediatric Dentistry & Orthodontics in San Diego.
