The days of only having one option for orthodontic treatment are a thing of the past. Currently, there are half a dozen different options available. Valderrama Orthodontics understands how having so many different treatment options to choose from can make preparing for braces stressful.

To help relieve some of your stress, we have created a comprehensive guide that explains the various types of orthodontic treatment options. While this guide won’t help you make a final decision, it will help you better understand what options you have available to you.

An Overview of the Different Types of Orthodontic Treatment Appliances Available

On a very basic level, all early orthodontic treatment options are designed to improve your child’s smile, prevent future problems, and intervene before their smile gets worse. They will all shift or move their teeth to a new position. The difference between them is the type of braces or aligners (appliances) your orthodontist uses to make the treatment work. This includes how they work, the type of maintenance that is involved, and what problems they can correct.

The different types of orthodontic treatment appliances that are available to your child include:

• Traditional braces – these are the ones that include the metal wires, colorful brackets bonded to the teeth, and sometimes rubber bands.
• Ceramic braces – these are similar to traditional braces, but instead of using brackets and wires that are visible, they use clear-translucent brackets to make it less noticeable.
• Clear aligner trays (like Invisalign) – using a series of customized clear aligner trays that can be quickly and easily removed, your teeth are shifted and moved to their new position.

The Type of Problems that are Corrected with Each Orthodontic Appliance Option

The biggest factor that will determine what type of orthodontic appliance is right for your child is what types of problems need to be corrected. The following are some examples of what types of problems each orthodontic treatment appliance corrects:

• Invisalign – can help shift teeth back to their proper position, close gaps and help with overcrowding. However, cannot help with issues that involve alignment of the jaw, as the aligner trays do not correct the placement of the jaw.
• Metal or clear braces – can help with all types of orthodontic problems including anything that involves jaw or bite issues. These braces are often recommended for severe orthodontic problems where the teeth need to be moved large distances or when the teeth need to be rotated.

Responsibility and Commitment Play a Huge Role in Which Orthodontic Treatment Appliance to Choose

Undergoing orthodontic treatment is a huge commitment for both you and your child. You have to attend all ongoing orthodontic appointments every six to eight weeks. Additionally, your child must make a commitment to regularly floss and brush their teeth, gums, and other orthodontic devices.

Some things to consider include:

• Busy lifestyle – If your child takes part in a lot of activities and cannot commit to regular office appointments, you may want to look into Invisalign, which has fewer office appointments and brushing and flossing are easier.
• Unable to follow through with instructions – if your child tends to be forgetful, it may be better to go with a more fixed orthodontic treatment, such as traditional braces or ceramic braces. These treatment options cannot be removed which reduces the likelihood that your child will lose their orthodontic device or forget to change the Invisalign trays out.

Regardless of which orthodontic treatment is chosen, you will still need to stress to your child the importance of keeping appointments. If appointments are not kept, orthodontic treatment can be delayed. That means you have to wear braces or aligner trays longer than expected.

Work with an Orthodontist to Find the Best Treatment for Your Child

Even if they have their heart set on a specific type of treatment plan, it may not be right for them. By working closely with Dr. Natalia Valderrama orthodontist,  you will be able to learn more about the different options and find out which one will be able to get your child the results. 

A trusted Orthodontist, like Dr. Valderrama, will also help make sure that whatever orthodontic treatment appliance is chosen won’t interfere with your child’s favorite activities, hobbies, or day-to-day life.

Contact the office of Valderrama Orthodontics today to schedule an orthodontic treatment consultation. Our orthodontic consultations include an oral exam, digital x-rays, and a one-on-one private consultation to find the best plan for your child.