As a mom, you’re probably in charge of quite a lot when it comes to keeping family life functioning smoothly. You may be the cook or chauffeur, the accountant, an event planner, even a nurse or teacher. But when it comes to your child’s smile, you can sit back, relax, and let an expert like Dr. Da Silveira take over!
Even if you’re a pro at balancing work, school, and extracurriculars, a child’s oral health requires the kind of expertise and guidance that only an orthodontist can provide. That’s where Bee Cave Orthodontics can help!
Becoming an orthodontist takes several years of additional education and training after dental school. As a highly-trained specialist, Dr. Da Silveira is skilled in tooth movement, facial growth, and dental development, and has many years of experience creating healthier, straighter smiles for patients of all ages. Even if you aren’t an expert on orthodontics, Dr. Da Silveira is, and you can count on her to improve your child’s oral health while giving them a beautiful smile that lasts.
Orthodontic care is a big investment in your child’s oral health and smile, and we take the trust you’ve placed in us seriously. You should feel fully confident in the journey ahead, so let’s take a look at some of the important things you should know about the orthodontic process before your child begins treatment! Here are the top 5 things moms need to know about orthodontics.
(Do you have a child around 7 years of age? Click here to schedule a FREE orthodontic evaluation!)
Children should have an initial orthodontic evaluation by the age of 7
Even though orthodontics are often associated with braces and teens, patients of all ages can benefit from improved oral health. In fact, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic exam by about the age of 7. This may seem strange since their mouths are still developing and they still have baby teeth, but as it turns out, that’s actually the point! Evaluations at this stage give us the chance to spot any potential problems early on, which can lessen or eliminate a negative impact on your child’s permanent teeth and bite.
Here at Bee Cave Orthodontics, we treat many younger patients, so we’ve seen the difference that preventive care can make. When we’re able to start treatment at the right time, it can have a big impact on a child’s oral health, both now and in the future. And although most children won’t require any active treatment at first, an early exam is still important since it lets us determine if orthodontic treatment will be necessary, and when it would be most advantageous to begin.
We care about more than straight smiles
Many people mistakenly believe that orthodontics focuses mainly on straightening smiles, and not much else. However, the reality is that we’re able to address crooked teeth and so much more!
Because straight teeth aren’t the only indicator of a healthy smile, orthodontists must learn how to diagnose, prevent, and correct malpositioned teeth and jaws. By examining a patient’s teeth, the movement and growth of their jaw, and the way the teeth are developing, an experienced orthodontist can catch any impacted, missing, or overcrowded teeth that may otherwise go unnoticed. This often means the issues are able to be corrected before they become bigger problems that require more serious or invasive treatment.
Choose an orthodontic office that works for you and your family
When you have a child undergoing any type of orthodontic treatment means you’ll both be spending quite a bit of time in the orthodontist’s office. Depending on the type of appliance and treatment, most patients will need to be seen once every 6-12 weeks or so. That’s why it’s essential to find an office that you and your child feel comfortable with!
Our Austin office is conveniently located and our expert team provides the highest-quality care in a safe, welcoming, and supportive environment. We use only the latest technology and most innovative treatments, so you can always be sure you’re receiving the most efficient treatment for the best results possible. We’ll greet you warmly at every appointment, and want to hear all about what you and your family have been up to in between visits. We always go the extra mile to make sure our patients achieve the Bee Happy Smile they want – and deserve!
There are multiple treatment options available
Bee Cave Orthodontics takes pride in combining cutting-edge techniques and technology with customized treatment plans. This helps us achieve straighter, healthier smiles for all our patients! We offer the following treatments in our office.
Traditional metal braces
This is the most popular orthodontic treatment available, year after year. Metal braces are strong, effective, and affordable. Today’s designs are more comfortable than ever before, and can even be customized with colored bands. We also offer WildSmiles, specially designed brackets that come in a variety of fun shapes including stars, hearts, soccer balls, footballs, flowers and Super-Diamonds®.
Carriere® SLX™ Bracket System
This self-ligating system is designed with low pressure, low force, and low friction in mind. It provides maximum comfort in metal braces and also reduces treatment time by about four months on average while still producing incredible results.
Clear Braces
Clear braces work in the same way as traditional metal, but the brackets are made of a translucent material, usually ceramic, that blend in with the natural tooth color. Clear braces provide a more discreet alternative to traditional metal braces and are equally effective.
Invisalign clear aligner therapy
Our office is proud to be a certified provider of Invisalign clear aligners, which give you a clear, convenient, and comfortable option to achieve the smile you’ve always wanted. Instead of the brackets and wires that braces use, Invisalign aligners are nearly invisible and completely removable, giving patients extra freedom and flexibility. Once the teeth begin to shift, aligners will need to be changed out every 1-2 weeks to keep up with the movement. Aligners must be worn at least 20-22 hours every day throughout the course of treatment in order to work properly.
Treatment times will vary from patient to patient
There’s no “one size fits all” answer when it comes to how long a patient will be in braces or aligners, as every case is different, and each patient responds to treatment in their own way. The length of time that your child will require treatment will depend on their specific case, the severity of the problem, the health of their teeth, gums, and supporting bone, and how compliant they are. We can say, however, that on average, braces tend to be worn for about 12 to 24 months, while Invisalign treatment averages around 12 to 18 months.
Give your child a healthy smile with Bee Cave Orthodontics
We know that moms want nothing but the best for their children, including a healthy, beautiful smile that will last them a lifetime! If you have a child age 7 or above that is ready for their first orthodontic consultation, we’d love to meet you both and explain more about how orthodontics can benefit them. If you’re in Austin or the surrounding areas and would like more information on what we have to offer, get in touch today to schedule a FREE initial consultation.
