Can I get braces if I have baby teeth?

Índice Show

Braces: When to see an orthodontist
Braces: What to expect at your orthodontic exam
In Conclusion
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Do you have to lose all your baby teeth before braces?
How do you get braces with baby teeth?
Can you get braces with 3 baby teeth?
What age is it OK to get braces?

Most people believe the myth that you have to wait until all your baby teeth fall out before getting braces. But if you wait that long, chances are you will miss the best window of opportunity for fixing time-sensitive problems that may be too difficult to fix later.

Braces: When to see an orthodontist

Did you know? You need an orthodontic exam by age 7 to detect any hidden problems before it’s too late to fix them later on.

Although it may be too early to actually start orthodontic treatment, it’s the perfect time to determine the right treatment plan over the upcoming years of adult teeth coming in and baby teeth falling out.

At Thrive, orthodontic exams are complimentary, so you have nothing to lose but know.

Download my FREE Ortho Guide, made just for you, to answer all your questions about braces and how to give yourself the best chance at a beautiful smile for life.

Braces: What to expect at your orthodontic exam

At your orthodontic exam, your orthodontist will look for the following:

The growth of your jawbones
- ie. Sometimes the upper and lower jaws may be growing at different rates, and early detection of this condition will allow a better result than if treated later on in development
- When both the upper and lower jaws are correctly aligned, the treatment time is shorter, and there is less chance of relapse (when the teeth move back to their original positions
correct bite – do the front teeth touch when the mouth is closed? Does the jaw go to one side when biting down?
crowding and overlap of the teeth
oral habits – thumb sucking, pacifiers, etc.
spacing – is there enough space for the permanent teeth to grow in?
abnormal positioning of the teeth – teeth not growing into the normal arch shape of the mouth

That’s why there are two phasesof orthodontic treatment.

Phase 1 allows or the correct amount of space in the mouth for the incoming adult teeth to have room to come into the proper position.

This makes phase 2 – aligning your teeth – much easier and shorter since the upper and lower jaws are correctly aligned.

In Conclusion

So friend, don’t wait until all your baby teeth have fallen out because you may have missed your best window for straightening your smile. Come in today for a FREE Orthodontic consultation to ensure your smile will look the best it can be.

And ask us about our exclusive $180/Month Braces Special.

by Dr. Christine Coughlin DDS

Learn more:

Braces: what to expect, types, how they work, and care

All About Baby Teeth Care: Eruption chart, Teething, Proper care

Orthodontic check-up: No later than age 7

Ladera, CA – Historically, when people think of the average person in braces they likely think of a mid to late teenager with metal braces. But the teenage years might not actually be the most ideal time for the majority of the orthodontic treatment. As Drs. Reza Salmassian and Robert Gire explain, there is no harm in visiting an orthodontist too early but there may be some if you visit one too late.

The recommended age to visit an orthodontist is the age of seven. This may seem young but it is in fact the ideal age for several reasons. First, it is very helpful to the orthodontist to see how the smile is shaping up with the mix of baby and permanent teeth. The orthodontists can monitor the eruption pattern of permanent teeth, jaw growth and development, and spot any issues that might become more serious as the permanent teeth begin to erupt.

“For some patients, if we wait until all the baby teeth have fallen out, that may actually be too late to create the most ideal smile in the most effective manner,” says Dr. Gire, who along with Dr. Salmassian serves patients at Ladera Orthodontics. “By treating patients while they still have some baby teeth we can create a more ideal environment into which the permanent teeth can erupt. And oftentimes this means later treatment is more effective and efficient.”

Not every child who sees an orthodontist at age seven will require this early interceptive treatment. Your child’s baby teeth play a very important role in shaping your child’s future smile. Not only do they aid in efficient chewing and promote proper speech development, they also reserve a spot in which the permanent teeth can erupt. But, if your child’s mouth is very crowded before the larger permanent teeth erupt, your orthodontist may recommend early treatment so that the permanent teeth have room to properly erupt.

“The younger your child is, the easier orthodontic treatment can be for several reasons,” says Dr. Salmassian. “But the most important reason is that the jaw is still growing, giving us the chance to guide its development to ensure we can reduce crowding and help the permanent teeth erupt properly.”

If your orthodontist has the ability to help guide jaw growth and ensure the jaws are properly aligned, it will require less movement of the teeth which can result in a shorter treatment time.

“Our goal is always to create a smile that isn’t just beautiful, but that functions properly and will last a lifetime,” says Dr. Gire. “We often find that by treating patients with two phase treatment, beginning before the baby teeth have all fallen out, we can reduce the risk of relapse and create stable, healthy bites. Waiting until all the baby teeth have fallen out may be doing your child a disservice.”

If your child is over the age of seven and hasn’t seen an orthodontist yet, schedule a visit today. Initial consultations are free of charge and they will provide you with peace of mind. Call Ladera Orthodontics today at 949-272-8782.

Do you have to lose all your baby teeth before braces?

While you do not have to wait for the adult teeth to grow in, most dentists and orthodontists prefer to wait for the majority of baby teeth to fall out. If your child has lost all but one or two of their baby teeth, it may be time to think about braces.

How do you get braces with baby teeth?

If your child has teeth that are severely crowded or an extreme overbite, they can get braces at age 7. It is essential to address crowding or severe overbite even with baby teeth. The orthodontist can make a treatment plan for after all the baby teeth are out to correct the overbite and or crowded teeth immediately.

Can you get braces with 3 baby teeth?

Yes, children can definitely wear braces with some baby teeth remaining. Children won't need braces when they have only baby teeth, but it may be the right course of action in some cases where a child has mixed baby and permanent teeth.

What age is it OK to get braces?

However, a general rule of thumb is your kids should look at getting braces between the ages of 9 and 14. Usually, this is before they've gone through puberty. If they've already gone through it, this means it'll be harder to adjust their jaw and/or teeth, as they've already settled into their post-puberty positions.