Braces: When to start and what option is best for you and your family

Braces: What are the differences between them? Which is the best option for me or my child? 

Are you or your child ready to see an orthodontist? 

 

Believe it or not the journey of your child achieving straight and strong teeth alongside an orthodontist can start as young as 8 years old. A child’s mouth is still soft and growing so the palate can be manipulate to expand, shrink or align a cross-bite in a minimally invasive way. 

 

Palate Expander 

This is the optimal time for a palate expander to be used. It is custom-made for your child. It is cemented or bonded to several upper molar teeth and will be left until the desired goal is met. It has two sides connected in the middle by a screw, which is turned using a special key. You (the parent) will turn the key once or twice a day as instructed by your child’s orthodontist. This process applies gentle pressure and is it painful to your child. Over time, it will cause the bones in the roof of the mouth to shift, creating more room. 

After this part of the treatment is complete, the orthodontist will leave the expander in place for several months. This allows time for the expansion to stabilize. Your child’s orthodontist will remove the expander when this process is complete anywhere from 3-9 months. 

 

 

The next part of the journey is braces. There are three kinds of braces we offer, metal, clear ceramic and Invisalign..  

 

Metal brace 

This option is most popular among children and adolescent patients.  They work by applying the braces to the teeth and connecting them with a wire. The wire is tied to the braces using elastic ties, which come in an array of fun  colors to choose from. Our orthodontist here at Bogota Dental, Dr. Homayoun Aminyar will make adjustments to the wire at your standing appointment every 4-8 weeks. This helps continue to move the teeth! 

 

Pros:  

• Smaller 
• Faster 
• More Comfortable  
• More Effective  

 

Unlike clear aligners like Invisalign which are removable, some parents and patients love metal braces because they do not need to remind their child to wear them.  

 

Cons: 

• Metal braces require care and attention 

• Good oral hygiene is a must throughout treatment. 

 

 

Ceramic (clear) Braces 

Ceramic braces are braces made of clear, tooth colored material. They work in the same way as metal braces, but are more discreet and less visible. Ceramic braces are most popular among patients who are not a candidate for Invisalign but who still want to straighten their teeth in a discreet and affordable way. These patients tend to be esthetically-driven adolescents and adults. 

 

Pros: 

• Less noticeable 
• Present an affordable alternative to metal braces 

 

Cons: 

• Slightly larger than metal braces  
• Can stain depending diet and brushing habits 

 

Invisalign And Clear Aligners 

Invisalign is great for patients who had braces when they were younger and just need a “touch up,” as well as for patients who have mild to moderate dental problems like misaligned teeth, large overbite, no jaw alignment problems, and who have gaps in their front teeth (open bite).  

 

Pros: 

• Clear and transparent 
• Removable  

• Allow for easier brushing and flossing  
• Faster than braces for some limited treatments  
• Require less appointments in some cases  
• Shorter appointments are sometimes possible 

Cons: 

• Not everyone is a candidate 
• Significant limitations compared to braces when addressing difficult problems or comprehensive treatments. 

 

 

We look forward to creating an Orthodontic treatment plan that fits your needs and stand alongside you for the entirety of the process to monitor progress as we go. 

 

Call us today for a risk-free assessment of your mouth and we will have you smiling straighter and more confidently before you know it! 

 

We are in two locations for your convenience, 

Bogota Dental Center, Totowa, NJ 

Phone (appointments): 973-298-5861 | Address: 360 US-46, Suite 3, Totowa, NJ 07512  

Bogota Dental Center, Bogota, NJ 

Phone (appointments): 201-345-4008 | Address: 85 East Main Street, Bogota, NJ 07603  

 

WE LOVE TO SEE YOU SMILE, 

All of us here at Bogota Dental Center