At what age is it better to get braces?
Problems associated with the aesthetics of the dentition can affect and cause complexes in any age. It’s never too late to go to the orthodontist, put on braces and start the process of shaping the perfect smile!
The use of braces has no age restrictions.
However, there are certain age-related features getting orthodontic treatment associated with the physiology of the development of the dentoalveolar system. They differ in children, adolescents, and adults.
Is there a most favorable time to start treatment with braces? At what age, on the contrary, will it not be effective or even harmful such treatment? nd what types of braces must be chosen?
Braces in childhood
According to statistics, about 80% of children have problems associated with malocclusion. If these anomalies are severe, they cause damage to the health of the teeth and digestive system. Incorrect bite becomes noticeable already at the stage of milk teeth.
However, at the age of 12-14 years, wearing braces can lead to damage to the thin enamel of the teeth, which also can be a cause of pathological changes in underdeveloped teeth roots, and their loss.
Characteristic signs observed, whether a child can install braces:
- certain durability of enamel
- length of teeth suitable for braces
- the presence of the appearance of upper incisors (second molars)
If these criteria are met, bite correction treatment can begin immediately. In other cases, orthodontists prescribe lighter removable devices for bite correction – plates and trainers.
They correct the pathology only partially but stop further curvature of the bite. When the child grows up, you can change the removable devices for braces, which will fix the achieved result.
Braces in adolescence
The formation of the jaw and molars is completed on average closer to 13-14 years. This age is considered ideal for getting braces.
During this period, the teeth have the flexibility necessary for effective and fast alignment. At the same time, the formed root system of the teeth is already able to withstand a large load from the bracket construction.
Thanks to this, problems with the curvature of the bite are solved as quickly as possible.
Braces for adults
There is an opinion that it is already too late to correct the bite in adulthood. This is a mistake – adults can put on braces until their teeth are healthy. However, in adulthood, some features of the state of the dental system complicate the process of correcting the bite.
If a teenager needs a year or two for this, a tall person after 25-30 years old will need to wear braces twice as long, sometimes up to 5 years.
The increased duration of wearing the braces is due to the fact that the exacerbation of the growth of the dentoalveolar system is associated with a decrease in compliance (this also causes more noticeable discomfort and pain in wearing braces).
A well-formed jaw has less room to reshape the dentition, so it is sometimes necessary to remove one tooth to align the rest.
In adulthood, a person may have more problems with the condition of the teeth – caries, tooth loss, gum disease, and thinning of the enamel. All these problems must be solved before the installation of braces.
So at what age should you wear braces?
In adolescents from 13 to 18 years of age, the teeth are malleable, so this time will be the most practical for the installation of braces. Treatment will be much faster and painless.