When Should I Think About Braces for my Child?

When should my child visit the orthodontist? This answer varies; some believe that the earlier the better, others, that there is no point until the baby teeth have fallen out. According to the Orthodontic Society of Ireland, your child should be assessed no later than age 7 or 8.
How do I know if my child needs to see an orthodontist? Your dentist will make sure to tell you when orthodontic intervention is needed.
Braces at what age? This will come down to the individual patient and the severity of their case. Generally though, treatment commences during the years between 8 and 14.
Do the adult teeth all need to be down to begin fitting for braces? No, not necessarily and actually in some cases having some baby teeth remaining can help the orthodontist with his work.
What’s the average length for treatment? Again, this is largely dependent on the individual, but generally speaking treatment lasts between 12-24 months, following this your child will be asked to wear a retainer in order to keep teeth in their new positions.
What about alignment with smaller children? There are cases where this happens, however your dentist will advise before any action is taken.
If my child gets braces early, will he/she need them later? Unfortunately, having braces early in life does not preclude you from having them later in life too.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the dental check-up process?

Firstly, your dentist in Smile Hub will ask you some medical questions. Existing patients may be asked to confirm any changes since their last visit. It is important that your dentist is aware of any changes to your medical history.

Oral Examination:

Your dentist will examine inside and outside your mouth including your jaw joint. Your dentist in Smile Hub will examine your teeth, your gums, tongue, cheeks, roof of your mouth and floor of your mouth. Both existing restorations such as fillings and crowns will be assessed including teeth that are unrestored. Your dentist will also examine your bite and if you wear a removable partial or complete denture this will be inspected.

Gums:

Your dentist in Smile Hub will examine your gums. Your gums are as important as your teeth as they are the “support structure” for your teeth.

X-rays:

At frequent intervals your dentist may require x-rays as part of your dental check-up. These are small, low dosage x-ray images which help your dentist to assess your tooth/teeth structure, supporting bone and existing filling and crown restorations. Your dentist in Smile Hub may also require a large full mouth x-ray called an OPG. Please inform your dentist if you’re pregnant prior to having x-rays taken.

Teeth Cleaning:

At Smile Hub your dentist may recommend that you have your teeth cleaned during your dental visit. A simple scale and polish or airpolish procedure is important to better assess your teeth and gums. Occasionally plaque and tartar can build up on your teeth making assessment of your teeth and gums more challenging.

What happens after my dental check-up?

Once your dental exam is over a treatment plan will be discussed with you. This treatment plan is a list of dental treatments required and their associated costs. A printed copy of this treatment plan will be given to you. Advice on all aspects of your treatment is available with your dentist at all times.

When will my recall appointment be scheduled?

After your treatment is completed and if your check-up requires no intervention, your dentist will recommend the appropriate time for the next dental check-up/recall. The reception staff will have your details on file and will ensure that you are called back at the appropriate time. If you need to see us sooner than that, please contact Smile Hub Dental Clinic on 01 5253888 or Book Online Now and we will help organise this for you.

How long does a dental exam take?

The length of a dental exam depends on the patient and the dentist. Here at Smile Hub Dental Clinic, it usually only takes a few minutes to examine the teeth and take x-rays if they are needed. If the dentist finds anything that may need treatment during the examination, they will take their time to explain to you in detail what it is and the possible treatment options available. You can also ask the dentist any queries you may have regarding treatment. A treatment plan will then be made and given to you at the end of your appointment.

Can treatment be done on the same day as an exam?

In some cases, treatment can be done on the same day as an examination. If it is a short examination appointment and the dentist has other patients after this they may suggest coming back in for treatment. If you have just booked in for an exam but the dentist has time free after your appointment, they may be able to do the treatment there and then. In the case of an emergency appointment, we will always give extra time for emergency treatment to be completed as soon as possible.