When it comes to keeping family life functioning smoothly, your skills as a mom are in constant demand. At various times, you may find yourself acting as a cook, chauffeur, accountant, and event planner, but when it comes to your child’s smile, you can take the backseat for once! Even if you’re a pro at balancing work, school, and extracurriculars, your child’s oral health requires the kind of expertise and guidance that only an orthodontist like Dr. Brady can provide. That’s where we come in!
Did you know that becoming an orthodontist requires several years of additional education and training after dental school? As highly-trained specialists, our doctors are skilled in tooth movement, facial growth, and dental development. They also have many years of combined experience in creating healthier, straighter smiles for patients of all ages! You may not be an expert on orthodontics, but Dr. Brady is, and that’s why you can count on him to give your child a beautiful, healthy smile that lasts.
We know that orthodontic care is a big investment in your child’s oral health, and the trust you place in us is important. You and your child should feel fully confident in the journey ahead, so let’s take a look at some of the top things you should know about the orthodontic process before your child begins treatment!
Children should have an initial orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7
Although orthodontics is often associated with braces and teens, patients of all ages can benefit from improved oral health. That’s why the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic exam by about the age of 7. You may wonder why, especially since their mouths are still developing and they still have baby teeth at this age. But as it turns out, that’s actually the point! Getting a look at this stage gives us the chance to spot any potential problems early on, which can lessen (or even eliminate) any negative impact on your child’s permanent teeth and bite.
Brady Orthodontics treat a number of younger patients, so we’ve seen the difference preventive care can make. Starting treatment at the right time can have a big impact on a child’s oral health, both now and in the future. While most children won’t require any active treatment at first, an early exam lets us determine if orthodontic treatment is likely in the future, and when it would be most advantageous to begin.
Orthodontics is about more than straight smiles
Many people mistakenly believe that orthodontics focuses exclusively on straightening smiles. The reality, however, is that we’re able to address crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, and so much more!
Straight teeth aren’t the only indicator of a healthy smile, so orthodontists must learn how to diagnose, prevent, and correct malpositioned teeth and jaws. By examining a patient’s teeth, the movement and growth of their jaw, and the way the teeth are developing, an experienced orthodontist can catch any impacted, missing, or overcrowded teeth that may go unnoticed otherwise. This often means that we are able to correct issues before they can become bigger problems that require more serious or invasive treatment.
Choose an orthodontic office your family is comfortable with
When you have a child undergoing orthodontic treatment, you’ll both be spending quite a bit of time in the orthodontist’s office. Depending on the type of appliance and the treatment plan, most patients will be seen about once every 6-12 weeks or so. It’s important to find an office that you and your child feel comfortable with since you’ll be visiting it so regularly!
Our Winnetka office is conveniently located, and we take a lot of pride in providing our patients with a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. Using the latest technology and most innovative treatments, we’re able to offer top-quality customized orthodontic care, and will recommend only the most efficient treatment for the best results possible. You and your family will be greeted warmly at every appointment, and we always go the extra mile to make sure our patients achieve the healthy, beautiful smile they want – and deserve!
We offer multiple treatment options
At Brady Orthodontics, we combine cutting-edge techniques and technology with customized treatment plans for the best results. We offer the following treatments in our office.
Traditional metal braces
This is the most popular orthodontic treatment available, year after year. Metal braces are composed of high-quality stainless steel brackets, wires, and bands that work together to gently guide the teeth into the desired positions. Today’s braces are smaller, lighter, and more comfortable than ever before, and can even be personalized by choosing elastics from wide variety of fun colors!
Traditional metal braces are a reliable, efficient, and cost-effective option for straightening smiles and improving oral health. Metal braces can be especially helpful in more severe or complicated cases.
Invisalign clear aligner therapy
Unlike traditional braces, which are a fixed orthodontic appliance, Invisalign uses a series of clear, customized aligners to move the teeth over time. Because these aligners are nearly invisible and completely removable, they give patients extra freedom and flexibility. The soft but strong thermoplastic resin they are made of also helps patients avoid some of the friction and abrasions that braces can cause. As the teeth begin to shift, the aligners will be changed out every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the movements.
The Invisalign system relies almost entirely on patient compliance to work. The aligners must be worn a minimum of 20-22 hours every day, throughout the course of treatment, in order to achieve the desired results. Invisalign tends to work best for mild to moderate orthodontic issues, so it may not always be a suitable choice for patients with more severe or complicated cases.
Treatment times vary
There’s no “one size fits all” answer when it comes to how long a patient will be in braces or aligners. Each case is different, and every patient responds to treatment in their own way. The length of time that your child will require treatment will depend on their specific case, the severity of the problem, the health of their teeth, gums, and supporting bone, and how compliant they are. On average, however, braces tend to be worn for about 12-24 months, while Invisalign treatment is usually around 12-18 months.
Give your child the gift of a healthy smile with Brady Orthodontics
As a mom, we know you want nothing but the best for your child, including a healthy smile that will last them a lifetime! If you have a child who is age 7 or above, we’d love to schedule them for an initial visit with our doctors. Get in touch today for a FREE consultation!
