Children's Braces London
Are you looking for an experienced, trusted, and reputable orthodontist in London who can provide a discreet and effective orthodontic treatment for your child? At Boston Orthodontics, we offer Invisalign for kids – the most modern and comfortable solution to your child’s orthodontic issues.
Whether your child is experiencing early crowding, bite irregularities, or there isn’t enough space for their permanent teeth to erupt in the correct position, Dr. Keser will create a completely bespoke Invisalign First treatment to address your child’s specific orthodontic issues.
What Are Children’s Braces?
Children’s braces are orthodontic appliances that have been designed to gently straighten your child’s teeth, correct various bite problems, and guide jaw development while your child is still growing.
There are different types of braces available for children. They include traditional fixed metal braces, ceramic (tooth-coloured) braces, and clear aligners, also known as Invisalign for kids, which have been specifically designed for younger patients.
When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?
Ideally, your child should have their first orthodontic assessment no later than the age of seven. At this early stage of their life, your child’s jaw is still developing, and they should have a mix of baby and permanent teeth.
This allows your child’s orthodontist to identify potential issues early. A common misconception is that early assessment means early treatment. In many cases, this is not true – it just allows us to monitor your child’s development and intervene at the most appropriate time, which can be years into the future.
What Is Interceptive Orthodontics (Phase 1 Treatment)?
Interceptive orthodontics is an early orthodontic treatment that is provided to young children between the ages of 7 and 10. During this phase of their life, their jaws are still developing, and certain bite problems can be corrected more effectively. Interceptive orthodontics can help to:
- Guide your child’s jaw growth.
- Create space for permanent teeth before they erupt.
- Correct crossbites, underbites, and overbites.
- Reduce severe crowding.
Phase 1 treatment typically lasts anywhere from 6 to 12 months and is followed by a period where your child’s orthodontist will monitor the remaining permanent teeth as they erupt.
Though phase 1 treatments may not seem urgent at first, when you learn more about them, you will start to understand just how important they are for supporting healthier long-term outcomes for your child’s smile.
Invisalign First for Kids (A Modern Alternative to Braces)
Invisalign First is a clear aligner system, which has been specifically designed for younger children between the ages of 6 and 10 years old. Its primary purpose is to correct early signs of orthodontic issues while accommodating your child’s natural jaw growth and dental development.
Like standard clear aligners, Invisalign First offers a modern and discreet alternative to traditional braces. This treatment option is most commonly used to treat:
- Crossbites, overbites, and underbites.
- Crowding and spacing concerns.
- Narrow dental arches.
- Mild to moderate protrusion of front teeth.
- Asymmetrical jaw development.
Traditional Braces for Children
Traditional metal braces are another popular option for children who require a reliable and effective orthodontic treatment. This treatment option is highly versatile and can address a wide range of orthodontic issues – from mild crowding to more complex bite issues. Traditional braces for children are most commonly used to help:
- Straighten crooked or crowded teeth.
- Close gaps between teeth.
- Correct overbites, underbites, and crossbites.
- Improve the overall function of your child’s bite.
To make wearing traditional metal braces more fun, your child can choose from a number of coloured elastic bands at each of their adjustment appointments, which will be placed around each bracket.
What to Expect: The Children’s Braces Journey
The typical children’s braces journey is broken down into five key phases, each of which is crucial to achieving a healthy and well-aligned smile. Here is a brief overview of each of the five phases, which will hopefully help you get a better understanding of what will lie ahead for your child:
- Initial consultation: Your child’s journey will begin with a comprehensive orthodontic assessment, which will be carried out by Dr. Keser.
- Personalised treatment plan: Following the assessment, Dr. Keser will create a bespoke treatment plan, which will be tailored to your child’s specific needs.
- Fitting the braces: Once the treatment plan is put in place, your child will visit our orthodontic clinic to get their braces fitted.
- Regular adjustment appointments: Routinely, you will need to bring your child to our practice to get their braces adjusted, so that the treatment can continue as planned.
- Removing the braces & wearing retainers: Once the treatment is over, your child will be provided with retainers, which they will need to wear to maintain the results.
How Much Do Children’s Braces Cost in London?
The cost of children’s braces in London can vary depending on your child’s orthodontic issues and their severity, the orthodontic treatment that will be used to address them, and the orthodontic practice you choose.
At Boston Orthodontics in London, the cost of children’s braces usually starts from £5,000, depending on the complexity of the case and the length of treatment. To get a precise quote for your child’s orthodontic treatment with us, please book your child for an orthodontic consultation with Dr. Keser.
Why Choose Us for Children’s Braces in London?
Boston Orthodontics is one of the leading orthodontic clinics for kids’ braces in London. Over the last 25 years, Dr. Keser and her team have successfully treated thousands of children, helping them achieve healthy and confident smiles that they can carry into adulthood.
Beyond our vast experience working with children as young as just six years old, other reasons why you should choose us for your child’s orthodontic treatment in London include:
- Our orthodontic practice is calm, safe, and enjoyable for even the most nervous children
- We use advanced digital scanning technology to achieve the best results
- We are always happy to accommodate families with busy schedules
- The cost of our children’s braces treatment is fully transparent
- All braces for kids are eligible for interest-free finance
Children’s Oral Hygiene During Braces
How to Brush With Fixed Braces
If your child is wearing traditional metal braces, they should brush after every meal, for at least two minutes each time, around each bracket, along the gum line, and under the archwire.
We generally recommend young patients who are wearing fixed braces to use an electric toothbrush, as it can help remove plaque more effectively, especially in the harder-to-reach areas. Though it can take a lot longer, flossing is also crucial and should be done on a daily basis.
How to Brush With Clear Aligners
Unlike traditional metal braces, which are fixed to the teeth, brushing effectively when your child is undergoing an Invisalign treatment is a lot more straightforward. To minimise the risk of tooth decay and plaque buildup during the treatment, your child should:
- Brush at least twice per day.
- Brush after each meal before popping the aligners back on.
- Floss daily to remove plaque between the teeth.
- Rinse the aligners with lukewarm water each time they’re removed.
FAQs
Does my child need braces if they still have baby teeth?
No, your child doesn’t necessarily need braces if they still have their baby teeth. Once they have had their orthodontic assessment with Dr. Keser, she will let you know whether treatment is required at this stage or monitoring is the most appropriate approach for the time being.
How long does early treatment last?
Will my child still need braces as a teenager?
Not necessarily. By identifying and managing developing issues during the early years of your child’s life, we can guide their jaw growth, create sufficient space for their permanent teeth, and reduce the risk of severe crowding or biting issues later on.
And even if your child ends up needing braces as a teenager, the orthodontic treatment will be much simpler and more straightforward.
Is Invisalign safe for children?
Yes, Invisalign is safe for children. To make your child’s early treatment comfortable and effective, we will use Invisalign First aligners, which have been specifically designed for young children between the ages of 6 and 10 who are still in the early stages of dental development.
Are children’s braces painful?
No, kids’ braces are not painful. They can be a little bit uncomfortable at first; however, this feeling will quickly subside within a couple of days as the mouth of your child adjusts to the new appliance.
What food should my child avoid during treatment?
If your child is undergoing a traditional metal braces treatment, they must avoid hard, sticky, and chewy foods that can damage the brackets and wires. Some foods that we recommend your child avoid include hard sweets and toffees, chewing gum, popcorn, nuts, hard crusty bread, whole apples, and carrots.
If your child opts for an Invisalign treatment, they can eat whatever they like. They must simply pop the aligners out and put them back in place once done eating (they should ideally brush their teeth first).
Can my child still play sports with braces?
Yes, they can. To be on the safe side, we don’t recommend that children engage in sports where physical contact is likely while wearing metal braces. In such a case, an Invisalign treatment is the better option, as the aligners can easily be removed and popped back in place once the practice or game is over.
Will my child need to wear retainers after the treatment?
Yes, they will. Wearing retainers, whether after Invisalign or a traditional metal braces treatment, is essential to keeping your child’s teeth in their new place. If the retainers are not worn as instructed by your child’s orthodontist in London, the teeth can gradually begin to shift back towards their original positions, and the original retainers may no longer fit properly.