"Does my child need braces?" is the question many parents arrive with. The honest answer: it depends on the problem, the age and the growth. Here is a compass through the three main treatment families.
Interceptive orthodontics (ages 6-10)
It works while the child grows, guiding jaw development: crossbite, underbite, narrow palate, habits. Usually short, targeted programmes that can avoid far more demanding treatment in adolescence. A real case in our practice: a Class III at age 7 corrected in 18 months.
Removable appliances
Plates and devices worn some hours a day and at night, ideal for functional corrections and as support to interceptive treatment. The critical factor is cooperation — so we involve child and parents with clear goals.
Fixed braces and aligners
In permanent dentition we work on definitive alignment: traditional fixed braces or, in suitable cases, clear aligners designed for teenagers. The choice is clinical, after the case study with intraoral scanning and cephalometric analysis.
How we decide
Dr. Irene Ferrara — specialist in orthognathodontics, Invisalign and Spark certified — bases every journey on the case study, then shares a plan transparent in timing and costs.
The first step is always the same: an early orthodontic visit around age 6, as national guidelines recommend. Book it: a small investment that can save years of treatment.
Sources
- Italian Ministry of Health, National guidelines for oral health in childhood — early orthodontic checks and prevention.
- WHO, Global Strategy and Action Plan on Oral Health 2023–2030 — children's oral health as a priority.