Teeth help a child learn how to speak properly. They also help us chew our food thoroughly. And, of course, teeth help us all smile with confidence. Baby teeth serve another purpose: they serve as placeholders for permanent teeth, guiding them into the mouth properly. Unfortunately, due to trauma, tooth decay, or just anatomy, even the healthiest baby teeth can’t prevent crowded or crooked teeth. Our orthodontists provide two types of dental braces in our Worcester, MA, office: traditional metal braces and clear Invisalign aligners. Patients with different orthodontic needs benefit from each option. Dr. Menachem D. Roth and Dr. Roberto S. Carvalho can help your child get a straighter, healthier smile with an orthodontic treatment plan that’s unique to your child’s needs.
Types of Dental Braces in Worcester, MA
Our office works with patients to find the best orthodontic treatment for their smile. We provide these orthodontic options for children and teenagers:
Traditional Metal Braces
Metal braces consist of metal brackets, a metal wire, and elastic bands. Using an adhesive, the brackets are placed on the front of the teeth. Each bracket has an indentation where the archwire sits. Once the archwire is situated in the brackets, it’s secured by placing small orthodontic bands around each bracket.
Traditional braces are ideal for patients with more complex cases, like severe crowding or jaw anomalies, like an overbite, underbite, or crossbite. Every 4-5 weeks, we change the wire and rubber bands to promote tooth movement and alignment. We often use metal braces in the second phase of two-phase treatment to realign teeth after preparing teeth for treatment with orthodontic appliances.
Clear Aligners
Aligners like Invisalign are similar to splints and sports mouthguards because they fit completely over each tooth. The great thing about clear aligners is that they’re virtually invisible and removable. Though it’s recommended patients wear them for 20-22 hours a day, they can be removed for special events like weddings, graduations, school pictures, etc. Patients can also remove their aligners to eat and drink to prevent staining or damage to the aligners.
Every few weeks, your child will receive a new set of aligners from their Worcester, MA, orthodontist. The new aligners are aligned differently from the previous set, which means they’ll be a bit snug at first, but that’s necessary as it helps the teeth gently move into the correct position.
Schedule a Dental Appointment
Does your child need orthodontic care? Call our dental office at (508) 625-5534 or schedule a dental appointment online. Please let us know if you have any questions about the right types of braces for your child. We are here to help!