Overview: Braces for Children
Braces for kids straighten teeth and correct bite problems while a child is still growing. Growth makes treatment faster and more predictable than in adults.
This guide is for parents trying to decide if their child needs braces, when to start, and what the process looks like. It covers the screening age recommended by orthodontists, the difference between early and full treatment, common appliance types, typical costs, and signs that point to a specialist visit. Treatment plans differ by child, but the general pathway is consistent enough to plan around.
Orthodontists are dentists who complete two to three additional years of training focused on tooth movement and jaw development. A pediatric dentist or family dentist can flag a problem, but the diagnosis and treatment plan come from an orthodontist. You can read more about the specialty on the orthodontics page.
Key Information About Braces for Kids
Children benefit from braces because their jaws are still developing, which lets the orthodontist guide growth as well as straighten teeth. The earlier a problem is spotted, the more options the family has.
Why Some Children Need Braces
Braces correct two broad issues: misaligned teeth and misaligned bites. Misaligned teeth include crowding (teeth overlapping because there is not enough room), spacing (gaps between teeth), and rotations. Bite problems include overbite (upper teeth cover too much of the lower teeth), underbite (lower teeth sit in front of upper teeth), crossbite (some upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth), and open bite (front teeth do not meet when the back teeth are closed).
Untreated bite problems can lead to uneven wear on the enamel, jaw joint strain, and difficulty cleaning crowded teeth, which raises the risk of cavities and gum disease [4]. Cosmetics matter to families, but the clinical reasons for early treatment are functional. An orthodontist will explain which of your child's findings are urgent and which can be watched.
The Age 7 Screening Recommendation
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up by age 7 [3]. By this age, the first adult molars and front incisors have usually come in, which lets the orthodontist see how the bite is developing.
Most children who are screened at 7 do not need braces yet. The visit is a baseline. The orthodontist looks for early signs of crowding, jaw growth issues, crossbites, and habits like thumb sucking or tongue thrusting that can shape the bite. If everything looks on track, the office will recheck the child every 6 to 12 months until the right time to begin treatment.
Phase 1 vs. Phase 2 Treatment
Two-phase treatment is used when a specific problem benefits from being corrected while the child still has a mix of baby and adult teeth [3]. Phase 1 (interceptive treatment) usually happens between ages 7 and 10. It may use a palatal expander, partial braces, or a habit appliance, and typically lasts 6 to 12 months.
Phase 2 is full braces or aligners and usually starts once most permanent teeth are in, around ages 11 to 13. Phase 2 finishes the alignment that Phase 1 set up. Not every child needs Phase 1; many can wait and do a single round of full treatment. The orthodontist will recommend a phased approach only when waiting would make the correction harder, longer, or more invasive later.
What to Know Before Starting Treatment
Most children start braces between ages 9 and 14, when enough permanent teeth have erupted to guide into final position [3]. The exact timing depends on the child's dental development, not their calendar age.
Types of Braces and Appliances
Metal braces are the standard option for children. They use stainless steel brackets bonded to each tooth with a wire connecting them. They are durable, work for almost every case, and tend to be the most affordable choice. Many children pick colored elastic ties, which they change at each adjustment visit.
Ceramic braces use tooth-colored or clear brackets. They are less visible than metal but can be more fragile and cost more. Ceramic braces are usually offered to older teens rather than younger children because they require careful handling.
Clear aligners (such as branded tray systems) are removable plastic trays that gradually move teeth. They are typically offered to older teens and adults because they require the patient to wear the trays 20 to 22 hours per day and keep track of them. Younger children may not be reliable enough for aligner therapy to work well.
Other appliances are sometimes used alongside or before braces, including palatal expanders (widen the upper jaw), space maintainers (hold space for an adult tooth), and headgear or functional appliances (guide jaw growth). The orthodontist will explain which appliances apply to your child's case and why.
How Long Treatment Takes
Full braces treatment usually takes 12 to 24 months [3]. Simpler cases can finish faster; complex bite corrections or cases that involve jaw growth may take longer.
After the braces come off, the child wears a retainer to hold the teeth in their new positions. Retainers are typically worn full-time for several months and then nightly long-term. Teeth shift naturally throughout life, and retainers are the only reliable way to keep results stable.
Daily Life and Care
Brushing and flossing matter more than ever during braces. Food and plaque collect easily around brackets and wires, and inadequate cleaning can leave white spots or cavities on the enamel [4]. Most orthodontists recommend brushing after every meal and using interdental brushes or a water flosser to clean around the brackets.
Some foods need to be avoided to protect the brackets and wires, including hard candy, ice, popcorn kernels, whole nuts, and very sticky foods like caramel. Mouthguards are essential for any contact sport. Adjustment appointments usually happen every 4 to 8 weeks and are short.
What to Expect During Treatment
Treatment moves through three predictable stages: a consultation and records visit, the active braces phase with regular adjustments, and the retainer phase after the braces come off.
The Initial Consultation
The first orthodontic visit is usually free or low-cost and takes about an hour. The orthodontist examines the child's teeth, bite, and jaw, and reviews dental and medical history. Many offices take photos, digital scans, and an X-ray of the full mouth (a panoramic radiograph) to map the position of unerupted teeth.
Once the records are reviewed, the orthodontist presents a treatment plan: whether braces are needed now, the type of appliance recommended, expected treatment length, and the total cost with payment options. Families typically have time to ask questions and compare practices before deciding.
Getting the Braces Placed
Placing braces is not painful and usually takes 1 to 2 hours. The orthodontist cleans and dries each tooth, applies a bonding adhesive, places each bracket, and threads the archwire through the brackets. The visit is longer than later appointments but does not involve injections or drilling.
The first few days afterward, teeth feel sore and tender when chewing. Soft foods, over-the-counter pain relievers, and orthodontic wax (to cover any bracket that rubs the cheek) usually manage the discomfort. The soreness fades within a week as the mouth adjusts.
Adjustments and Braces Removal
Adjustment visits happen every 4 to 8 weeks and last 15 to 30 minutes. The orthodontist changes the wire, replaces elastic ties, and sometimes adds elastics that the child wears between certain teeth at home. Mild soreness for a day or two after an adjustment is normal.
When treatment ends, the orthodontist removes the brackets and adhesive, polishes the teeth, and takes a final scan or impression for the retainer. Some practices place a thin bonded wire behind the lower front teeth as a permanent retainer in addition to a removable retainer for the upper arch.
Cost of Braces for Kids and Insurance
Braces for children typically cost $3,000 to $7,000 in the United States. The range reflects geography, case complexity, type of braces, and the length of treatment. Costs vary by location, provider, and case complexity.
What Drives the Cost
Case complexity is the biggest cost driver. A child with minor crowding and a normal bite will fall at the lower end of the range. A child needing two-phase treatment, jaw expansion, headgear, or an unusually long treatment time will be at the higher end.
Appliance type also matters. Metal braces are generally the most cost-effective. Ceramic braces tend to add several hundred dollars. Clear aligners for teens can be similar to or higher than ceramic braces, depending on the system and the number of trays needed. Practices in major metropolitan areas usually charge more than practices in smaller markets.
Insurance and Payment Plans
Many dental insurance plans include an orthodontic benefit for children under 18, often as a lifetime maximum of $1,000 to $3,000 per child. Coverage is usually limited to medically necessary treatment, but most childhood braces cases qualify. Confirm coverage with the insurer before treatment starts and ask the orthodontic office to submit a pre-treatment estimate.
Health savings accounts (HSAs) and flexible spending accounts (FSAs) can be used for braces. Most orthodontic offices offer in-house payment plans that spread the cost over the length of treatment with little or no interest. Some practices also offer a discount for paying the full fee up front. Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) cover orthodontic care for children when it is judged medically necessary, with rules that vary by state [4].
When to See an Orthodontist
Take your child to an orthodontist by age 7 for a baseline check, or sooner if you notice early signs of a bite or alignment problem [3]. A general or pediatric dentist can refer you, but you do not need a referral to schedule an orthodontic consultation.
- Early or late loss of baby teeth (before age 5 or after age 7)
- Difficulty chewing or biting, or biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Mouth breathing or persistent snoring
- Thumb sucking or pacifier use that continues past age 5
- Teeth that meet abnormally or do not meet at all
- Jaws that shift, make sounds, or look out of position
- Crowded, blocked-out, or visibly misplaced front teeth
- Speech difficulties that the family dentist links to tooth position
Orthodontist vs. General Dentist
A general or pediatric dentist handles cleanings, fillings, sealants, and routine prevention. An orthodontist is a dentist who completed an additional accredited orthodontic residency, typically two to three years, focused on tooth and jaw alignment [3].
Some general dentists offer clear aligners or simple braces cases. For children, who are still growing and whose jaws can be guided by treatment, a specialist orthodontist is the standard choice. The orthodontist can also coordinate with the child's regular dentist throughout treatment so cleanings and routine care continue on schedule.
Find an Orthodontist Near You
If your child is approaching age 7, or you have noticed any of the signs above, schedule an orthodontic consultation. Most practices offer the first visit at no cost, and you will leave with a clear answer on whether treatment is needed and when. Browse board-certified orthodontists on the orthodontics page to compare practices in your area.
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