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Monthly Archives: January 2019
Braces for Kids
Often times, braces for kids is like a sign of growing up. Some kids may need braces more than others depending on how severely angled their teeth are. Any parent is likely to have both questions and concerns about their child’s quest for braces. Let’s take a look at some of the most important details regarding your kid’s potential braces.
Does My Child Need Braces?
There are plenty of reasons your child would potentially need or benefit from braces. Everybody’s teeth are different, and this is not limited to adults only. This means children are susceptible to oral misalignment. Some of the most common issues include but are not limited to:
- Overlapping Teeth
- Crowded Teeth
- Overbite
- Underbite
- Crooked Teeth
- Incorrect Jaw Position
The type of dental misalignment that your child has will determine the type of braces that are received. Some kids may be ineligible for specific kinds of braces depending on how their teeth began to grow in. Nowadays, braces are becoming more accommodating for all kinds of dental forms, but some are still exclusive. To determine what kind of braces are best for your child, your child’s orthodontist will review different options for you.
What Kinds of Braces are Available for My Child?
As mentioned previously, different kinds of braces are available for different dental and oral needs. Over time, various forms of braces have become available. When you first picture braces, people often typically begin with a distinct picture in mind – wires and headgear. Thankfully, technology has advanced significantly, and other forms have been invented. Those original braces are still in circulation, though, and may be the best fit for your child. Let us take a look at the different options available and the benefits of each of them.
Traditional Metal Braces
The most common thought of form of braces are the traditional metal braces. With these, we would attach metal brackets on each tooth with a composite resin. Wires are used to connect each of these brackets with another. Each appointment, we would tighten the wires slightly to pull your child’s teeth into the correct positioning. These braces are beneficial because they are the least expensive option and give your child the ability to express themselves with multi-colored bands.
Ceramic Braces
Nearly identical to the traditional metal braces, ceramic braces work in the same way and perform alignment identically. The main difference is the bracket and wire color match the color of the tooth.
Aligner Retainers
Within the past decade, a new form of braces has emerged. They are known as aligners, which act as retainers that shift your teeth. For this version, we will take a mold of your child’s teeth and computer graphically adjust their teeth for the most ideal alignment. After this is completed, a set of about 20 or so plastic trays, or aligners, will be created. Every two weeks, a new tray will be received. The great part about this option is the aligners are removable, nearly invisible, and allow your child to eat any food they wish safely. These are unsuitable for significant cases, though.
Lingual Braces
A fourth, less common form of braces is rarely used on severe cases and can often be more difficult to adjust to. These use the same method as traditional metal braces, but they are placed on the inside of the tooth. These are great if your child has a mild case and don’t want to have any sign of braces or metal in their mouth.
Bringing Your Child to the Orthodontist
If your child is showing signs of crooked or misaligned teeth, it may be best to take them to an orthodontist to get checked out. A common misconception that parents may have is the belief that some children may be too young to visit the orthodontist, but this is not the case. All children’s oral conditions develop differently and across various time frames, so there is never a single age where you should bring your child to visit an orthodontist.
If you’re ready to take the leap and have your child’s teeth straightened, contact us here at Manhattan Family Orthodontics to schedule an appointment with the best orthodontists in New York City!
Average Cost of Braces
In the state of the current economy, people have gotten more concerned for where they’re spending their money. Because of this, a first concern that often arises when you’re told that either you or your child needs braces is the money that this will cost you. There is no single price or formula that can be given when trying to figure out how much your specific braces will cost – only your orthodontist can figure this out. There is, though, an average cost of braces for each type of option on the current dental market. Depending on the type of braces you receive, the price may differ significantly. Let’s take a look at some of the most common forms of braces and their respective costs associated with them.
Traditional Braces
Traditional braces are those which use metal brackets fixed to the front face of your tooth, along with metal wires that gradually tighten to pull your teeth into the proper shape. This is the typical idea or image that comes into most peoples’ mind when they think of getting braces. Depending on what state you are located in, the price of this form of braces can vary. Typically, according to the Consumer Guide to Dentistry, this form of braces can cost you anywhere between $3,000 and $7,000.
Ceramic Braces
Nearly identical to traditional braces, ceramic braces work in the same way. The aspect that differs is the color. Ceramic braces are made with a material colored to match the shade of your tooth. This allows you to seemingly have no braces. For this method, you’ll typically pay $500 – $1,000 more than you would for traditional braces.
Aligners
Dental aligners, otherwise known as retainers, fit snugly over your teeth and act like a mouth guard would. The difference, though, is that you are given approximately 20 different trays, one every two or so weeks, that are shaped slightly different than the previous. This will gradually shift your teeth into place without the look of traditional metal braces. Depending on how many trays that are needed for your teeth, you’re looking at a price of $3,000 to $6,000 for the entirety of the treatment. The latter, though, is more so the average across the nation.
Factors that Contribute to Cost of Braces
When you’re looking to get a set of braces for either yourself or for someone in your family, it’s important to understand the factors that may cause the cost of treatment to vary. Some of the factors that most significantly determine if the price of care is higher or lower include but are not limited to:
- What Your Insurance Covers
- The Price Your Orthodontist Charges
- Which State You Reside In
- How Long of a Treatment You Need
Get Braces Today
If you’re concerned about the amount that your or your family’s braces will cost you, come chat with us here at Manhattan Family Orthodontics! We, as one of the best orthodontics in NYC, can sit down with you and help you figure out the best course of treatment for both your oral condition and your wallet. If you’re interested in speaking, contact us today to schedule an appointment!