Who Needs Braces?

The easiest way to check whether your child needs braces is to ask him to open his mouth wide and then bite. "The upper row of teeth should encircle the lower row in a U-shape. They should be not more than 1mm to 2mm outside the lower row of teeth,' explains Dr. Neil Abreo, Dental Surgeon, who runs his own clinic in Mumbai.

Overlapping or overcrowded teeth, crooked teeth as well as gaps in the teeth call for braces too. Take your child for dental checkups every six months. "With regular checkups, your dentist will be able to monitor the growth of your child's teeth and jaws," Dr. Neil explains. He will also be able to tell you whether your child requires orthodontic treatment.

When to Treat

Don't wait for years to get your child treated. His teeth are not going to set into place as he grows older. Besides, waiting could cause an unhealthy bone condition, which might prevent correction through braces.

"Treatment can start as early as seven years of age, depending on the problem," says Dr. Noel. Just make sure you child is old enough to understand and co-operate with the doctor.

In some cases a permanent tooth grows behind or in front of a milk tooth. Here, a simple extraction of the milk tooth might prevent prolonged treatment later.

With some children, one jaw grows at a faster pace than the other. "Growth of the jaw can either be stimulated or arrested with growth modification appliances," explains Dr. Sorab Javeri, Orthodontist who runs his own clinic in Mumbai and is affiliated with Bombay Hospital.

If your child's teeth need to be realigned, the treatment could begin between the ages of 10 to 13 i.e. once the permanent teeth have grown.

How Long Does It Last

Every case is different. If your child has gaps between his teeth or his upper row of teeth is slightly protruding he might not require extensive treatment.

"An upper Hawley appliance (orthodontic plate or trainer) will help pull the teeth back into place," says Dr. Perola Menon, a private Dental Surgeon in Mumbai.

Such treatment starts at about Rs.4000 and could last anywhere from six months to a year. On the other hand, a complete realignment treatment would start at Rs.25, 000 and could last even up to 24 months.