Some parents bring their children to their first orthodontic consultation expecting to get braces that day. But braces rarely happen on the first day, and they may not even happen soon after. For some patients, it’s better to wait on braces treatment for one or more reasons.
Smith-Davis Orthodontics wants the best possible results, and sometimes that means waiting a bit before placing braces. Why would we wait? There are several reasons, from the need for all of the permanent teeth to be in place to the need for pre-treatment.
What can you expect if your child has to wait for braces, and why would they have to wait? We’ll explain so you have a better idea what to expect from your child’s first visit to an orthodontist.
Will My Child Get Braces on the First Visit?
Except on rare occasions, your child will not get braces during their first visit. That visit instead consists of getting to know you, receiving a thorough examination of your child’s teeth and jaws, and being introduced to our amazing team and doctors!
We’ll also create a treatment plan to deliver the best results for your child, and we’ll work with you on a financing plan that suits you and your family.
We will present the treatment plan to you and let you know when your child might expect to get their braces. That may be soon, or it may be a year or two away. It depends on whether we think your child would benefit from waiting.
Why Would We Wait for Braces?
Why would braces be delayed by an orthodontist? In many cases, addressing issues early leads to better outcomes — but that doesn’t always mean starting braces right away. There are several reasons we might recommend waiting.
Permanent Teeth Not In
The permanent teeth may not be in completely yet. Permanent, or adult, teeth start coming in around age 6, replacing the baby teeth. They finish replacing the baby teeth by age 12, but the last of the permanent teeth don’t come in until ages 17-22, when the wisdom teeth finally erupt.
Erupting later, permanent teeth could cause new problems for teeth already moved by braces, which is why we prefer to wait until we can move only the permanent teeth.
Jaw Isn’t Fully Developed
Jaws undergo significant development in young children. We can tell during the initial examination how your child’s jaw is developing and whether further development may change their dental issues.
If we think that’s going to happen, we may wait to see how things change before we apply braces. In rare cases, jaw development can actually improve dental problems and reduce the need for braces, or at least the amount of treatment. That’s why it’s better to wait and see.
Habits Need to Be Broken
Some children develop orthodontic problems due to persistent bad habits, such as tongue thrusting or thumb sucking. Those habits need to be broken before we start treatment because they can slow treatment or even reverse it if those habits continue during or after treatment.
We have ways to help your child end those habits for good. We can place devices such as a tongue crib to reposition the tongue to prevent thrusting or to block your child from being able to suck their thumb or a pacifier.
Children tend to wear these devices for 6-12 months before braces. So you can expect your child won’t get braces for a while.
Jaw Needs to Be Widened
Some children have crowded teeth because their jaws have developed too narrow to accommodate all of their permanent teeth. Pretreatment will benefit them, as well.
In these cases, we use a palate expander to widen the jaw. This can take anywhere from 3-12 months, depending on how wide it needs to be. Your child may develop a gap between their front teeth, but that’s expected and will be fixed in the braces phase.
These last two reasons are often addressed in Phase One of two-phase braces treatment. For those patients, we begin the first phase of treatment at ages 9-10, when the permanent teeth are still coming in. Phase Two involves the actual braces treatment and usually happens at ages 12-13.
Space Needed for Braces
In some cases, the teeth are pressed together so tightly that it’s nearly impossible to place the braces bands on the molars. These bands anchor the archwires that connect all the braces brackets and apply pressure to move the teeth.
In those cases, we will place spacers between the back molars to make room for the bands. It usually only takes a week or two to make enough space for the bands, so your child’s braces won’t be delayed for long.
FAQs About Braces Treatment Timing
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[toggle color=”Default” heading_tag=”default” heading_tag_functionality=”default” title=”How long does orthodontic treatment take once braces are placed?”] Once braces go on, most teenagers wear them for 12 to 24 months depending on the complexity of their case. Patients who completed Phase One treatment before braces often have shorter Phase Two treatment times because the groundwork is already in place. Your child’s specific timeline will be outlined in their treatment plan. [/toggle]
[toggle color=”Default” heading_tag=”default” heading_tag_functionality=”default” title=”Does waiting for braces affect the final result?”] Not when the wait is intentional and monitored. Waiting until the right conditions are in place — enough permanent teeth, proper jaw development, habits corrected — typically leads to better outcomes and more efficient treatment. Placing braces before those conditions are met can result in longer treatment or the need for retreatment later. [/toggle]
[toggle color=”Default” heading_tag=”default” heading_tag_functionality=”default” title=”Will my child need a retainer after braces?”] Yes. Retainers are a standard part of every orthodontic treatment plan and are given as soon as braces come off. They keep the teeth from shifting back while the jawbone continues to settle into its new position. Most patients wear them full time initially and gradually transition to nighttime wear. [/toggle]
[toggle color=”Default” heading_tag=”default” heading_tag_functionality=”default” title=”Does insurance cover braces for children?”] Many dental insurance plans include orthodontic benefits for children, though coverage amounts and age limits vary by plan. We recommend checking your specific plan before your consultation. Smith & Davis Orthodontics will work with you on financing options to make treatment as accessible as possible. [/toggle]
[toggle color=”Default” heading_tag=”default” heading_tag_functionality=”default” title=”Can my child play sports or instruments while wearing braces?”] Yes, with some precautions. Athletes should wear a mouthguard to protect both their mouth and their braces during contact sports — we can recommend an appropriate option. Students who play wind or brass instruments may need a short adjustment period as they get used to the feel of braces, but most adapt quickly and continue playing without issue. [/toggle]
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What Happens While We’re Waiting
So what happens while your child is waiting for braces? We will see your child occasionally to monitor their jaw development and the progress of any pretreatment we perform.
We will monitor any changes that could affect your child’s future treatment. Do they lose teeth prematurely due to injury or just falling out too soon? Do they need space maintainers to allow room for the permanent tooth? Are the permanent teeth coming in as they should?
We want your child to have the best possible success with their braces treatment, which is why we will see them on occasion before their braces are placed.
Once the big day comes and they get their braces, we will schedule regular office visits to ensure their treatment stays on track.
Braces Treatment in Rogers, AR
Braces treatment rarely happens right away. This gives us time to prepare your child’s mouth for the best possible treatment and gives you and your child time to prepare for such a big change.
Is your child ready for braces in Rogers, AR? If so, schedule a free consultation with Smith & Davis Orthodontics, which proudly offers orthodontic services in Rogers, Bentonville, and Lowell!
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