Traditional Dental Braces in Parker, CO

Q: Are ceramic braces the same as clear aligners?

No. Ceramic braces use clear or tooth-colored brackets that remain attached to the teeth and work similarly to traditional metal braces. Clear aligners, such as Invisalign, are removable trays that fit over the teeth.

Q: Can my child choose colored bands for braces?

Traditional braces commonly use small elastic ties to help secure the orthodontic wire to the brackets. These elastics are available in different colors, allowing many kids and teens to personalize the appearance of their braces during treatment.

Q: What foods should my child avoid with braces?

Hard, sticky, chewy and very crunchy foods can damage brackets or wires. Patients should follow the orthodontic team's instructions and modify foods when appropriate, such as cutting firm fruits or vegetables into smaller pieces rather than biting directly into them.

Q: How long will my child need braces?

Orthodontic treatment time varies from patient to patient. The amount of tooth movement needed, bite concerns, growth and how the teeth respond to treatment can all influence the timeline. After an orthodontic evaluation, the provider can discuss the anticipated treatment plan for the child.

Q: Does getting braces hurt?

Some patients experience temporary tenderness or pressure after braces are first placed or adjusted. This varies by patient and generally improves as the mouth adjusts to the appliance.

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Traditional braces remain one of the most dependable and versatile ways to straighten teeth and improve bite alignment. At Little Rockies Kids Dental, we provide traditional braces for kids and teens in Parker, CO as part of our pediatric orthodontic services.

Braces use a system of brackets and an archwire to apply gentle, controlled pressure to the teeth over time. Depending on your child's orthodontic needs, braces may be used to address crowded or crooked teeth, excessive spacing, overbites, underbites, crossbites, and other tooth or bite alignment concerns.

Today's dental braces are smaller and more streamlined than earlier generations. Children and teens may also have choices in how their braces look, including traditional metal brackets, colored elastic bands, or less noticeable clear ceramic braces.

Our orthodontic provider can evaluate your child's teeth, bite, and stage of dental development and discuss whether traditional braces are an appropriate treatment option.

Braces for Kids and Teens in Parker

Every smile develops differently. Traditional braces can provide precise, predictable tooth movement for many different orthodontic concerns while giving children and teens a treatment option that does not depend on remembering to insert and remove an appliance each day.

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Teen boy with braces riding a bicycle in Parker, Colorado

What Can Traditional Braces Correct?

Braces are used to gradually guide teeth into planned positions and can help improve both tooth alignment and the way the upper and lower teeth fit together. Because braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment, the orthodontic provider maintains continuous control over tooth movement.

Traditional braces may be recommended for concerns such as:

Crowded or overlapping teeth
Crooked or rotated teeth
Gaps and excessive spacing
Overbites
Underbites
Crossbites
Teeth erupting out of position
Other bite and alignment concerns

The type and complexity of orthodontic treatment varies from child to child. An orthodontic evaluation allows us to examine your child's teeth and bite and recommend an individualized treatment plan.

How Traditional Metal Braces Work

Traditional metal braces consist of small brackets that are bonded to the teeth and connected by an orthodontic archwire. The archwire works with the brackets to apply gentle pressure that gradually moves teeth toward their planned positions.

Small elastic ties, sometimes called ligatures, are commonly used to hold the archwire in place. For many kids and teens, choosing different colored bands at orthodontic visits is a fun way to personalize their braces.

Throughout treatment, your child will return for regular orthodontic visits so the progress of the teeth and bite can be evaluated and the appliance can be adjusted as needed.

Treatment time varies because every patient's teeth, bite, growth, and orthodontic needs are different.

Young girl smiling with traditional metal braces in Parker, Colorado

Teen boy smiling with clear ceramic braces in Parker

Clear Ceramic Braces in Parker

Some children and teens want the reliability of fixed braces but would prefer an option that is less noticeable. Clear ceramic braces work similarly to traditional metal braces but use clear or tooth-colored brackets designed to blend more naturally with the teeth.

Unlike clear aligners, ceramic braces remain attached to the teeth throughout treatment. That means your child does not need to remember to put an appliance back in after meals or brushing.

Ceramic braces are not necessarily the best choice for every patient. Metal brackets may be preferred for certain orthodontic needs, while ceramic brackets may appeal to older children or teens who are especially concerned about the appearance of their braces.

Our orthodontic provider can explain the differences between traditional metal braces and clear ceramic braces and help your family determine which option fits your child's treatment needs and lifestyle.

Braces for Teens in Parker

Adolescence is a common time for orthodontic treatment because many permanent teeth have erupted and the developing bite can be evaluated more completely. For teenagers with crowding, spacing, crooked teeth, or bite concerns, traditional braces may provide an effective way to guide the teeth into better alignment.

Teenagers also have several aesthetic choices. Traditional metal braces can be personalized with colored bands, while ceramic braces provide a more subtle appearance. Depending on the orthodontic condition, some teens may also qualify for Invisalign® clear aligners.

Sports, school, music, and other activities can generally continue during orthodontic treatment. Our team will provide instructions for protecting the braces and teeth during treatment and can discuss appropriate protection for contact sports.

Explore Pediatric Orthodontics

Diverse group of smiling teens wearing braces in Parker

Mother and daughter visiting a Parker orthodontic office before braces treatment

What to Expect When Your Child Gets Braces

Getting braces is a new experience, but most children and teens adapt quickly. When braces are placed, brackets are bonded to the teeth and the orthodontic wire is secured to the brackets.

Your child may experience temporary tenderness or pressure after braces are first placed or following an adjustment. This generally reflects the gentle forces being used to move the teeth.

Before leaving the office, your family will receive instructions for brushing, flossing, eating with braces, and what to do if a bracket or wire becomes loose or damaged.

Regular orthodontic appointments are important so we can monitor progress and make changes to the appliance as treatment advances.

Caring for Teeth During Braces Treatment

Good oral hygiene becomes especially important during orthodontic treatment. Brackets and wires create additional spaces where food and plaque can collect, so children and teens need to clean carefully around their braces.

During treatment, we encourage patients to:

Brush thoroughly around brackets and along the gumline
Floss between the teeth every day
Use orthodontic cleaning tools when recommended
Rinse with water after eating when brushing is not immediately possible
Continue regular preventive dental visits and cleanings
Contact the office if a bracket or wire becomes loose or damaged

Keeping the teeth and gums healthy during orthodontic treatment helps protect your child's smile while the teeth are being moved into their new positions.

Eating With Braces

Most foods can still be enjoyed during braces treatment, but some foods can damage brackets or wires. Hard, sticky, chewy, or very crunchy foods may need to be avoided or modified.

Foods such as apples, carrots, sandwiches, or pizza can often be enjoyed by cutting them into smaller, bite-sized pieces rather than biting directly into them.

Your orthodontic team will provide specific instructions based on your child's appliance and treatment plan.

What About Self-Ligating Braces?

Self-ligating braces are another type of fixed orthodontic appliance. Instead of using traditional elastic ties to hold the archwire in the brackets, self-ligating brackets contain a built-in clip or door that secures the wire.

Because Little Rockies Kids Dental has a dedicated page explaining this treatment option, we recommend reviewing that information if your family is comparing different types of fixed braces.

Learn About Self-Ligating Braces

Traditional Braces in Parker, CO

Choosing orthodontic treatment begins with understanding your child's individual smile. Our orthodontic provider can evaluate tooth alignment, bite development, and treatment needs and discuss whether metal braces, clear ceramic braces, self-ligating braces, or clear aligners may be appropriate.

If your child or teenager may need braces, contact Little Rockies Kids Dental to schedule an orthodontic evaluation in Parker.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Braces

How do traditional braces straighten teeth?

Traditional braces use brackets attached to the teeth and an orthodontic archwire to apply gentle pressure. Over time, this pressure gradually guides teeth toward their planned positions and can also help correct bite alignment.

Are ceramic braces the same as clear aligners?

Can my child choose colored bands for braces?

What foods should my child avoid with braces?

How long will my child need braces?

Does getting braces hurt?

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