Choosing the Right Braces for Your Child

Orthodontic braces help millions of kids smile with that crucial self-confidence that can be so touch-and-go during early adolescence—but the process takes time. As a parent, you want to know which braces are best and what type of braces work fastest, so your child can reveal their new-and-improved smile sooner. At Cuozzo Orthodontics in NJ, we’re here to give you honest answers and insights on choosing the right braces for your child. Here’s what you need to know:

Which Braces Are Best?
Like any product, braces are manufactured and marketed by brands jockeying for competitive advantage and market share. Different brands of braces may not necessarily be “better” than others; they might just be more widely and strategically marketed. What makes one type of braces better is the expertise of an orthodontist who can evaluate the patient, communicate with the parent, and make the necessary adjustments throughout the selected treatment. Aside from effectiveness, other factors like comfort, appearance and cost may also guide the decision toward one type of braces or another based on the options and their advantages.

What Type of Braces Work Fastest?
In many instances, the average length of treatment with orthodontic braces is usually around 24 months. We won’t try to sugar-coat that fact with the common myth that we can somehow dramatically speed up the process with a specific brand or new product. Any product claiming fast results is likely leaning into marketing. However, we can keep the schedule on track by choosing not just the right type of braces, but also the right start time to begin with. In most cases, children should wait to get braces until most if not all of their permanent teeth have grown in. Once treatment begins, there are some easy but important things that your child can do to stay on schedule. See our top tips to get braces off on time.

Dentist or Orthodontist for Braces?
You may be surprised to learn that braces, formally known as brackets, cannot simply be placed on each tooth in order to get the teeth to move. A combination of precisely placed brackets and a correctly chosen orthodontic wire is needed in order to move the teeth effectively into proper alignment. This is another reason why choosing the right type of braces for your child is more so a matter of getting the best orthodontic care to manage the treatment. While some general dentists may offer orthodontic services, certified orthodontists have completed additional schooling and specialized training focused solely on the art and science of straightening teeth. Consulting with an orthodontist will help ensure that your child receives the right type of braces for their unique circumstances, followed by expert care every step of the way to revealing their best smile.

The Cuozzo Technique
Remember, it’s not a brand of braces that will show the best results, but rather, an orthodontist’s ability to properly place the brackets and effectively adjust the wires during follow-up appointments. At Cuozzo, we’ve perfected our technique based on principles from the proven Alexander Discipline and our countless success stories throughout our 50-plus years as a family-run NJ orthodontist office. Read about the Cuozzo technique and how it came to be.

 In addition to running Cuozzo Orthodontics, Dr. Patrick Cuozzo also teaches orthodontics at the University of Pennsylvania, keeping him up to date on the latest products from leading braces manufacturers. He brings the ongoing knowledge back to the practice to apply with patients.

Get a Complimentary in-Office Consultation
Choosing the right braces for your child doesn’t need to be a decision you make on your own with what you’re able to find online. Cuozzo Orthodontics offers a complimentary consultation including complimentary dental imaging for kids and a sit-down with one of our friendly orthodontic specialists, so you can get all the information you need and know that your child’s orthodontic treatment will be as efficient and effective as possible. Schedule an appointment today!