Can You Get Braces With Baby Teeth?

If you’re asking the question, “Can you get braces with baby teeth?” it means one of two things: 

1.) You have concerns about your child’s teeth and are wondering when the right time is to start their orthodontic treatment.

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2) you have retained baby teeth from childhood and are curious whether you can get braces now as an adult.

The answer to both is: “Yes! You can get braces on baby teeth.” Let’s discuss both options further. 

Can Your Child Get Braces With Baby Teeth?

Most orthodontists recommend getting an orthodontic consultation for your child around the age of seven. This allows the orthodontist to begin assessments while your child’s jaw bones and muscles are still moving and growing to make sure your child develops a healthy adult bite. If you have concerns about your child’s bite or how their jaw is forming, you can schedule an appointment anytime.

At BHO, we offer pediatric orthodontic services, including interceptive orthodontic treatment. Beginning with your child’s first consultation, we will: 

	Perform a complete evaluation of the developing oral structures of the jaw and mouth
	Evaluate permanent tooth eruption patterns (look to see if your child’s adult teeth are developing how they should be)
	Identify any potential problems or future issues
	Begin planning interceptive treatments

For our pediatric patients, we can offer a wide variety of treatment options, including traditional braces, Invisalign, and retainers for after treatment. 

Can You Get Braces With Baby Teeth as an Adult?

As we grow, our permanent adult teeth develop beneath our baby teeth. The baby tooth falls out as the permanent replacement grows and fills that space. But some of us were born with missing permanent adult teeth. If you were born missing a tooth, your original baby tooth might never have fallen out, leading to a retained baby tooth that is still part of your bite today.

If you have a baby tooth but want to straighten your teeth, you may wonder if you can get braces with baby teeth. The short answer is, “Of course!” However, there are additional considerations for getting orthodontic treatment with retained baby teeth.

At BHO, we offer orthodontic services for all bites, including those with retained baby teeth. Beginning with your first consultation, we will: 

	Perform a complete evaluation of all oral structures of the jaw and mouth
	Check for impacted permanent teeth (look to see if your adult teeth are present and still under the gums or in the bone)
	Identify any potential problems or future issues from your bite or retained baby teeth
	Begin treatment planning and go through the best orthodontic options for your specific case

Because baby teeth have shorter roots and thinner enamel than permanent teeth, they are slightly more fragile and need extra love and attention from an expert orthodontist. 

Shorter roots mean baby teeth don’t have the same support from surrounding bone as the other teeth in your mouth, and they will need specific treatment planning to ensure they align at the same rate as your permanent teeth.

Because of the thinner enamel (the hard white substance that covers all teeth), it might be a better fit for you to use Invisalign aligners over bonded braces. Your orthodontist will help you decide the best treatment based on their assessments and x-rays.

See What the BHO Experience Can Offer You

At Beverly Hills Orthodontics, we are dedicated to helping patients of any age get a smile they love. Whether you are a parent concerned about your child’s developing bite or an adult with retained baby teeth — we are here to correct your bite and give you a healthy smile.

We offer braces even with baby teeth from each of our four locations, in  Beverly Hills/Century City, Toluca Lake, Alhambra, or Downtown Los Angeles. Perfect for patients of any age, braces can correct most alignment problems ranging from slight crowding to significant bite issues. 

Ready to finally answer the question, “Can you get braces with baby teeth?” Give us a call or text us at 310-785-0770 or visit our contact page to schedule an appointment.

NOTE: All blog content is intended to supplement—NOT REPLACE—the expertise of a healthcare professional and should not be construed in any way as medical advice. Consult a professional orthodontist directly, like the ones at BHO, to assess your individual needs and advise the best course of treatment.