Braces are a big investment for many families. According to GoodRx, it's reported that most types of orthodontic treatments cost between $1,800 and $9,500. As a parent, you want to make sure that you're making the best choices when it comes to braces for your child. Let's look at some things you should consider when trying to choose between fixed braces or clear aligners.

Clear Aligners

Clear aligners have grown in popularity in the last few decades as an effective form of orthodontic treatment. This option provides certain benefits over metal braces. One of the benefits is that aligners allow for easier flossing, brushing, and overall oral care. This can be a huge issue for young teens or children who have fixed braces. If your child struggles with consistent oral care, then you might want to consider clear aligners to help with dental hygiene.

Additionally, because aligners don't have brackets or wires, there are fewer repairs needed. This is also a huge benefit for young patients, as they often break brackets or wires with fixed braces. When brackets or wires are broken, that's another expense for you.

Fixed Braces

Fixed braces are the traditional type of metal braces that most people are familiar with. Fixed braces pose more of a challenge in a lot of ways for younger patients. They can be difficult to clean and painful, and brackets break easily. However, there are some benefits to traditional kids' braces. For example, traditional braces are adhered to the teeth and can't be taken out and misplaced. Additionally, fixed braces are often required for more severe orthodontic treatments. If teeth are extremely crooked, fixed braces are the only way to address the problem. Clear aligners cannot straighten severely crooked teeth.

Another benefit is for the treatment of bite issues. Clear aligners are ineffective for correcting a misaligned bite. If your child has this problem, it will need to be fixed with metal braces.

The Right Choice for Your Child

In order to know which treatment option will work best for your child, you'll need to schedule an appointment with an orthodontist to discuss your kid's braces. The doctor will examine your child's teeth and advise you on which treatment would work best.

These are just a few things you should consider if your child needs braces. If you're looking for a reliable orthodontist in your area, please contact Boland Orthodontics today.