About Braces

Q: Are braces painful?

A: There is tenderness and occasional discomfort in the teeth and gums when braces are tightened, but advanced nickel-titanium alloys have improved the efficiency of the wires, allowing orthodontists to exert lighter but steadier pressure on the teeth. In the stainless- steel days of old, the wires had to be made tighter with each adjustment because the pressure would slacken between adjustments.

Q: Is there a best age to get started with braces?

A: Most kids with braces are between

the ages of 11 and 14, but orthodontists are seeing children r dontists recommend an initial visit by age 7 and earlier if the child's dentist thinks a visit is warranted.

Qi How can orthodontics help a child who still has her baby teeth?

A: Braces in young children can make corrections in the jaw that will help their adult teeth grow into proper position. money later on. Children who have had mterceptive treatment usually still need to wear braces in adolescence, but the treatment likely will be less complicated and of shorter duration than it would have been without the early intervention. In some cases mterceptive treatment corrects jaw problems severe enough that they would otherwise later require surgery.