shirley braces for kids

We offer orthodontic care for kids and adults alike, and treatment could help improve overall oral health, and boost the beauty of your smile. In today’s blog, your Shirley, NY, pediatric dentist and orthodontist talks about how we can use metal braces, or orthodontics with tooth-colored ceramic brackets, to correct uneven smiles.

Choosing the Best Treatment Option

First, we want to get to know your child and take a close look at their smile. With the initial consultation, we will talk to your little one about his or her oral health habits and hopes for their smile. We then examine the teeth carefully with digital technology, using the resulting images and impressions to understand the cause and extent of misalignment, and to choose the most appropriate option. For many kids, and adults as well, we can offer braces to correct the smile.

Metal and Ceramic Braces

Braces involve attaching a metal bracket to the front facing side of each tooth on both arches. Next, a portion of a thin arch wire is connected to each bracket with a band. There may a need for additional bands as well. During regular visits to our office, we will gently adjust the tension in the wires to begin shifting the teeth into optimal positions, correcting misalignment in about two years on average. However, we can offer a more cosmetic option for teens and adults. Instead of metal brackets, we create them with ceramic. This material is not only strong, but can be shaded to look natural and blend with the tooth. In fact, dentists often use them to create crowns and replacement teeth for this very reason. As a result, your metal orthodontics are much less visible!

Improvements for Oral Health

Straightening the smile improves the overall beauty, and helps you feel more confident in your appearance. But this also lowers the risk of tooth decay and gum disease, as your smile is much easier to brush and floss thoroughly. The new balance in your smile could lower the risk of TMJ disorder and bruxism (teeth grinding) too. We can also offer care for young children as well, starting as young as age seven.

If you have any questions about how we treat misalignment with our orthodontics, then contact our team today to learn more. We want to help you enjoy better oral health and a straighter smile too!

Talk to Your Shirley, NY, Orthodontist and Pediatric Dentist

We want to help you and your children enjoy good oral health with straighter smiles. To learn more about the benefits of metal braces and ceramic brackets, then contact Shirley Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry in Shirley, NY, by calling (631) 399-1600. We’re ready to help smiles of all ages in our community.