It's important to consider braces for your child as their jaw and teeth develop. Contact Justison and Gladnick Family Dentistry to learn more!

young family playing outside l orthodontics in Wilmington, DE

Braces in Wilmington, DE

young woman with braces l wilmington de dentist Children should receive their first orthodontic assessment around seven or eight years old. By this time, the first molars and incisors have arrived, and your Wilmington, DE, dentist can begin to assess if there will be complications with your little one's bite or crowding in the future.

What Is Interceptive Orthodontics?

Some kids can benefit from interceptive or phase one of orthodontic treatment. This early orthodontic treatment helps create space for adult teeth trying to come into an overly crowded dentition. Interceptive orthodontics is also ideal for children with severe overbites, underbites, or open bites that are causing concerns early on.

Phase one orthodontic treatment takes advantage of your child's growth and an early opportunity to correct misaligned bites or create space for future teeth, which sets your child up for a successful and efficient second phase of orthodontic treatment when they're 12 to 14 years old.

When It's Time for Braces in Wilmington, DE

Around seven and eleven, your son or daughter's mouth will change tremendously. Their jaw and mouth are still growing, which is a perfect time to intervene non-invasively, if necessary.

For example, if your child has a narrow palate and crowding is apparent, a palatal expander may be necessary. This is not painful, and we place it on the inside of the roof of the mouth. As your child grows, it will expand and widen the upper arch, so adult teeth have plenty of room to erupt, and we can prevent crowding and crooked teeth. This may either eliminate the need for surgery and braces in the future or at least minimize orthodontic issues.

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I couldn’t be happier with this practice.

I’m a new patient having relocated from NC. My hygienist Sue, was outstanding. She was thorough, explained everything she was doing and I enjoyed chatting with her. Dr. Justison was also thorough and very positive. The receptionist (I believe her name is Mason) was very efficient and pleasant. I couldn’t be happier with this practice.

-Alex M.

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Why Interceptive Orthodontics May Be Beneficial

Certain orthodontic conditions can be pretty uncomfortable if they're left untreated. Consider underbites (Jay Leno is an example), where the lower jaw protrudes farther out than the upper jaw. When you don't correct an underbite, it can cause jaw pain, excessive wear to tooth enamel, an increased chance of developing tooth decay or gum disease, speech problems, and self-consciousness.

Other conditions that may warrant orthodontic intervention include overbites, missing teeth, extra teeth, incorrect jaw positioning, or other joint disorders. The ideal age to begin orthodontic treatment is between nine and thirteen years; however, people of any age can benefit from having orthodontic treatment.

Besides the now popular Invisalign braces, fixed orthodontic appliances are pretty effective. These include:

Brackets bonded to the teeth, which are available in a variety of colors and materials
"Invisible" lingual-type brackets, which we attach to the backs of the teeth
Metal bands that wrap around the teeth

Oral Healthcare and Braces in Wilmington, DE

It is essential to take special care of your teeth while you are wearing braces. In particular, you should:

Brush your teeth after every meal with a soft-bristled toothbrush removing the food particles that can become caught in the braces.
Floss daily.
Make sure you see your dentist for a good cleaning every six months.
Limit how much sugar and starch you eat. These foods are sticky and tend to leave behind debris, which bacteria metabolize into acid, which damages the tooth structure and encourages plaque formation. Be sure to brush after snacks!
Avoid hard and sticky snacks that may be difficult to remove from the braces. Potentially problematic foods include hard foods (hard candy, popcorn, ice chips, nuts) and sticky foods (caramel, chewing gum, taffy, and other gummy candies).

We apply a fluoride varnish around the brackets to help prevent the white spots that sometimes appear on teeth after we remove the braces.

Contact us today to schedule an orthodontic consultation at our Wilmington, DE, dental office!

Frequently Asked Questions

Braces in Wilmington are a tried and true way to straighten your teeth, relying on brackets and wires to gently shift your teeth into straight and upright positions over time.

Many patients want braces because they desire a beautiful smile, but there are other benefits many don’t consider.

3 Benefits of Braces in Wilmington, DE

Having a straight smile can certainly boost your confidence, but let’s explore how beautifully aligned teeth can benefit your oral health.

#1 Caring for Straight Teeth Is Simple

When your teeth are lined up all in a row, there are fewer hiding places for plaque and bacteria to collect. Brushing and flossing are easier and more effective.

#2 Straight Teeth Reduce Tooth Wear

A misaligned bite puts stress on specific teeth while others have nothing to do during chewing. Aligning your bite is an excellent way to relieve that stress, which may mean fewer cavities or fractures in the future.

#3 Straight Teeth Can Contribute to Your Success

Success can be measured by your happiness. When you feel good about yourself, you are certainly happier. And feeling confident shows in everything you do.

Schedule a Visit with Our Wilmington Dental Experts

To learn whether braces are right for your smile and life goals, reach out to a team member to arrange a consultation with your dentist in Wilmington today.

OUR TEAM

Dr. Jason Justison

Dr. Justison grew up in Pike Creek, Delaware, just around the corner from the office. He received his undergraduate degree in Biology, with minor in chemistry from University of Delaware, researching cancer biology, physics, and biochemistry. He then went on to dental school at Temple University ...