The years between birth and turning 18 are full of growth and development. There is so much that happens that there is virtually no part of the body that is left unaffected by it. Of course, throughout those years it’s perfectly normal to experience some physical hiccups along the way. Some of those may make it necessary to have some common dental procedures done.
Getting Braces
One of the biggest contributors to a beautiful smile is having teeth that are straight and properly aligned. Okay, so that’s two things, but still, they’re both important. There are plenty of reasons why teeth end up crooked, or the teeth or jaw are misaligned. Getting braces is one of the best solutions for fixing these types of problems. It’s a procedure commonly associated with the teenage years since they are best applied after a majority of the baby teeth have fallen out.
Wisdom Teeth Removal
Over the last several centuries, the shape of the human face has changed somewhat. For many people that means having a smaller jaw. This means that in many instances there just isn’t room for wisdom teeth in the mouth. Whether it’s an issue of room or impaction, it’s pretty normal for people to have their wisdom teeth removed before the age of 18. Wisdom teeth removal is always done under some kind of anesthesia. Even a simple extraction of erupted wisdom teeth will be done using a local anaesthetic.
Fillings
Dental cavities are pretty common in minors, so common, in fact, that a majority of children have had them. Repairing damage done by cavities is one of the reasons why people get fillings. Given the frequency at which cavities develop, it stands to reason that fillings are going to be pretty common too. Fillings can be done with silver amalgam, gold, porcelain, or composite resin. What material works best will depend on the person, their budget, and the location of the filling. It’s more common to have porcelain or composite resin fillings in the front teeth since they have a tooth-colored appearance. That isn’t usually so much of a concern for the molars in the back.
It’s pretty normal for children to have a variety of dental procedures done in the years before they turn 18. Getting braces, having wisdom teeth removed, and getting cavities filled are all pretty common procedures and can go a long way towards helping a young person have a healthy, beautiful smile. Be sure to talk to your dentist or orthodontist if you have any questions about these or any other dental procedures.
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