The Dental Ark 915.855.2337 
What do you know about braces? What most people know about braces is that they are used to make pretty smiles.
For the most part people decide to get braces when their teeth are crooked and want to have straighter teeth, but there is more to it. Here is a brief explanation of what braces are and when they’re needed.
There are different types of bites that need braces.
The three most common conditions that need dental braces are overbite, underbite, and crowding. Overbite is a condition in which the upper front teeth overlap the lower front teeth.
A large overbite can cause unhealthy teeth wearing, concerns about appearance, increased risk of trauma, and in some instances even jaw pain. An underbite is a condition in which the lower teeth and jaw protrude in front of the upper teeth.
An underbite usually needs to be addressed much earlier, anywhere between 4 years old to 8 or 9 years old, than an overbite.
Finally, crowding is the lack of space for all the teeth to fit normally within the jaws. The teeth may be twisted or displaced and cause difficulty with cleaning the teeth appropriately and long term gum, disease is a concern.
There are many other conditions such as excessive space, missing teeth, extra teeth, and cross bites that need correction as well.
A blog will not help you decide whether your child needs braces or not. As a parent you want to be informed and make the right decisions for your child’s dental needs.
If you feel like your child needs braces, give us a call! Your child’s dentist at the Dental Ark and Stevenson’s Dental Ark can help you make the right decision.
It is important to create a dental home, which is an ongoing relationship with your kid’s dentist, so you can catch dental problems at an early age to be able to correct them as soon as possible.
If your child does not have a dental home, give us a call! We would love to see your little one and start caring for his/her dental needs as soon as possible.
