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Braces for Children
For children, orthodontics is not about “beautification” but about steering the development of the jaw and teeth in the right direction in good time. Those who come early can avoid later surgery – and under the free braces scheme, the treatment of severe misalignments is free of charge.
Braces for children – the essentials in brief
- First check from age 5–6: A quick look by the orthodontist shows whether and when treatment is needed. The initial consultation is free of charge.
- Removable braces: Children with primary (milk) teeth or mixed dentition (usually 6 to 10 years old) are treated with removable braces – colourful, with fun designs, worn at night and in the afternoon.
- Free braces: Severe misalignments (IOTN 4 or 5) are paid for by the health insurance fund as interceptive treatment (early treatment) – treatment usually starts before the 10th birthday.
- Possibly fixed braces later: Once all the permanent teeth are in, the main treatment with fixed braces follows if required (there is usually a break of at least one year between the two phases).
In special cases, treatment already begins during the mixed dentition stage (milk teeth plus the first permanent teeth) in order to correct a jaw misalignment and, if possible, avoid surgery later on. This treatment is not about “beautification” but about correcting jaw misalignments. These can often also result from typical childhood habits (dummies, thumb-sucking, etc.). You should also pay attention to breathing: in principle, we should breathe through the nose, as it acts as a natural bacteria filter and prevents respiratory illnesses. If your child breathes mainly through the mouth (myofunctional disorder), retraining the swallowing and breathing pattern is strongly recommended. A speech and language therapist can help improve your child's breathing technique.
For children under 12, treatment is usually carried out with removable braces. This treatment generally takes between 12 and 18 months, and the brace should be worn mainly in the afternoon and at night. These children's braces are now available in many bright colours and with all kinds of designs – so your child looks “cool” too!
From what age should you see an orthodontist?
Most parents only think about braces once the permanent teeth come through crooked. In fact, many problems can be detected earlier and corrected more easily:
- 5 to 6 years: first check, especially in the case of a crossbite, strongly protruding teeth, sucking habits or mouth breathing. If nothing needs to be done, a check-up after one year is usually recommended.
- 6 to 10 years (mixed dentition): the window for early treatment (phase 1) with removable appliances – e.g. to widen a narrow upper jaw or correct a crossbite. In the case of severe misalignments, this is the interceptive treatment covered by free braces.
- from around 11 to 13 years (permanent teeth): main treatment with fixed braces, see Braces for Teenagers.
What types of removable braces are there for children?
Removable braces consist of an acrylic plate with wire elements and are made individually for your child – today usually based on a digital 3D scan rather than an unpleasant impression. Typical appliances are:
- Active plates (e.g. expansion plates) with a small screw that is adjusted regularly to create space in the jaw.
- Functional appliances (e.g. activator, bionator), which guide jaw growth – for instance in the case of a markedly receding lower jaw.
- Small fixed auxiliary appliances for specific misalignments, such as a lateral crossbite, which are cemented in place for a short time only.
Which appliance is the right one is decided by the orthodontist after the examination – and he or she will explain to you and your child exactly how it is worn and cared for.
Three steps to a healthy smile with free braces
For your child, the path to a healthy, beautiful smile takes just three simple steps:
- Consultation Everything starts with a free consultation. This determines whether the requirements for free braces are met.
- Records The misalignment of the teeth or jaw is analysed in detail using state-of-the-art diagnostic methods such as a digital scan, photos and cephalometric and panoramic X-rays. The result is a comprehensive treatment plan that sets out exactly how the misalignment will be treated.
- Orthodontic treatment An appointment is arranged at which the orthodontic treatment begins. For children with milk teeth or mixed dentition, this is usually a removable brace.
Tips for parents: making removable braces work
Wearing
- Stick to the agreed wearing time – usually in the afternoon and at night. Only a brace that is worn can work.
- Establish a fixed routine: brace in after homework, back in after brushing teeth in the evening.
- Take it out for eating and sport and always keep it in its box (never wrap it in a napkin!).
Care
- Clean the brace every day with a toothbrush and a little toothpaste or mild soap, and rinse with cold water.
- Do not place it in hot water – the acrylic can warp.
- If there are sore spots, speech problems or the brace is broken, do not wait – make a check-up appointment.
Do removable braces hurt?
In the first few days there may be a slight feeling of pressure, which quickly subsides. Speaking is a little unfamiliar at first – reading aloud helps to get used to it quickly. Pain is not to be expected with a properly fitted brace.
How often does my child need a check-up?
With removable braces, check-ups are usually necessary every 6 to 10 weeks. The appointments are short; the Viennese contract institutes offer long opening hours, so appointments can easily be fitted around school and work.
Is early treatment for children also free?
Yes, if there is a severe misalignment (IOTN 4 or 5): in that case the health insurance fund covers the interceptive treatment with removable braces at a contract orthodontist in full. Treatment usually starts before the 10th birthday. For milder misalignments, the health insurance fund pays a subsidy subject to approval.
Certified contract partner for free braces
When choosing your orthodontic practice, check whether it is one of the few contract institutes for free braces in Vienna. On this page you will find providers. If so, it means that free braces are genuinely free of charge for you. That is not a matter of course: even if a non-contract dentist (Wahlzahnarzt) meets the criteria (for example regarding proof of training in orthodontics), the health insurance fund still only reimburses 80 per cent of the contractually agreed rate. How much you then pay ultimately depends on how much the non-contract dentist charges for their services. As this amount is often well above the agreed rate, it can come to several thousand euros. This is not the case at the institutes listed on this page. If your child meets the requirements for free braces, “free” really does mean free of charge for you.
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