At Serrano Orthodontics, we often meet people who are excited to get orthodontic treatment to fix their smiles. An aligned, glowing grin is something many people dream of, and for good reason! It’s a great way to greet the world and make a great first impression confidently. All that said, appearance isn’t the only reason people should look into orthodontics.
From a young age, our jaw and facial bones are growing and arranging the way our teeth will fit in our mouths. Depending on genetic and environmental factors, sometimes this growth will cause health problems for our adult selves later on. That’s why Dr. Paul and Dr. Andrew Serrano recommend bringing children in to have their first orthodontic appointment around the age of seven! Catching things early and supporting bone growth from the beginning is the best way to tackle challenging orthodontic cases.
Are you an adult wondering what’s the best age to get braces and think you’ve missed your window? Luckily, that isn’t true! There are plenty of treatment options for adults as well as kids. Connect with our Phoenix or Chandler office to learn more about your options or to schedule a free consultation appointment!
Who Should Get Orthodontic Treatment?
The best way to find out if you need orthodontic treatment or not is to consult with a local orthodontist (like Serrano Orthodontics!). Many people can benefit from an aligned smile, and few people are born with perfect alignment. Regardless of the reasoning, whether for health or appearance, there should be options for you or your child’s unique case.
What Are the Benefits?
When considering if you should bring your child in for a consultation, here are a few of the benefits that orthodontics can bring to children and adults as they age:
- It aligns the jaw and bite to decrease pain in the jaw, neck, and head
- It becomes easier to clean your teeth and prevent tooth decay
- It broadens nasal passages for easier breathing
- It improves your ability to chew food, improving digestive health
- It can boost confidence and improve mental and physical health
- It reduces wear and tear on tooth enamel, preventing chipping, sensitivity, cavities, and more
- It can improve speaking abilities
What are the Treatment Options?
Once you’ve decided that orthodontics is the right choice for your family, you will have a few choices to make. You will sit down with Dr. Serrano, and he will talk you through the best options for your unique teeth and jaw needs. You almost always have a few options to choose from, and here are the most common ones we recommend to patients of all ages:
Invisalign
Invisalign aligners are a popular choice since they are both convenient and discreet. They are convenient because they can be removed, are more comfortable in the mouth, and make for easy cleaning. They are discreet because they are completely clear trays that fit perfectly over your teeth, rendering them almost invisible!
Invisalign is a great fit for adults and teens who are good at keeping track of their belongings and responsible enough to remember when to remove the trays, how to keep them clean and wear them reliably as directed. They aren’t for everyone, but they are one of the most popular options across the country!
Metal Braces
Metal braces are the traditional route to good oral health. Using metal brackets and wires that are fixed onto your teeth throughout treatment, this option is a great fit for people who have more significant tooth alignment work or jaw misalignment. Braces are the most powerful shifting force for orthodontics, and many people like them because they don’t have to remember to keep track of anything. You do have to be diligent about cleaning around and behind the braces to prevent tooth decay or spots, so keep that in mind.
Clear Braces
For people who want or need braces but are concerned about having a flashy metallic smile, then clear braces are the best fit for them! Every part of these braces is made from a tooth-colored ceramic, so they blend in almost perfectly with your natural teeth. They can still offer the force of braces in a much more discreet package. Though they are prone to staining, you will have to be even more diligent about your cleaning schedule!
Palatal Expanders
For kiddos whose bones and jaws are still growing, palatal expanders can create more room in the upper jaw for teeth to grow. This is a preventative method of orthodontics that will make the later stages even more simple. Not everyone will need a palatal expander, but Dr. Paul or Dr. Andrew Serrano will walk you through your options if you do.
Two-Phase Treatment
Two-phase treatment describes a form of orthodontic care used specifically for children. In some cases, when your orthodontist is able to catch some jaw or tooth development patterns, they can put a plan into place to help things grow differently. This might be through palatal expanders, braces, headgear, and more. After that first phase is complete, your child will usually have a break from orthodontics for a while to give their bodies a chance to keep growing and will be ready for phase two when they get a regular set of braces or aligners to refine their bite!
This two-phase method might sound like a lot, but it’s the best way to guarantee that your child’s teeth will grow into a healthy alignment later on.
Get Care You Can Trust at Serrano Orthodontics!
There’s no time like the present to start working on your oral health! Give Serrano Orthodontics a call, and we will schedule you or your child for a free consultation appointment and talk you through all your options. We can’t wait to see the smile transformation and the healthy grin you have in store!