Braces for children

Firstly, i have had a search already and the threads linking to this seem quite old, so just want recent info.

My daughter will need braces as her front teeth are coming in at angles and her bottom ones are being pushed forward by her other big teeth coming through. She has too many teeth in her mouth and the way her big teeth are coming through are beginning to affect her speech.

Our current dentist, whilst marvellouts, says wait until she has most of her adult teeth, but my gut instinct is that she needs to be seen by an orthodontist who may be able to help her out sooner.

Can anyone please recommend a professional, good and cost effective orthodontist please. I've looked at the orthodontic webiste but would like personnal recommendations.


Many thanks

My daughter also has the same problem and my best friend's dad is a dentist. He suggests the same thing, waiting until most of her adult teeth are in and then getting braces. The reason is that even if you get the braces on her front teeth, as soon as the back adult teeth grown in, they will just make the front teeth crooked again prolonging the time your daughter has to wear braces. I am sure there are some dentists around willing to do it, but for me, it isn't worth it. I have also noticed that even though my daughter's teeth initially grew in REALLY crooked, they have started to straighten out as she grows. She will still need braces in the future but I know for myself, I trust our dentist's opinion and his argument against braces at this time makes sense.

I recommand you to do a consultation by another orthodontist my child goes to DDS for braces, pretty good, the dentists there most be trained in western, so there is no language problem and my daugher feels quiet comfortable. Get a professional dentist suggestion is better than just waiting here, isn't it?

Hi there, there are two approaches which orthodontics may be able to take.


1st is an "interceptive" approach where your child still has both baby and adult teeth and the orthodontist can try to guide erupting adult teeth into the correct position and create space to make the adult teeth align naturally. However this may not be indicated in all cases and some orthodontists may not believe in early approach of treatment. Furthermore there is no guarantee that her teeth will remain aligned.


2nd which is the more conventional approach is to wait for your daughter to have most of her adult teeth and start orthodontic treatment with braces. Usually around the age of 12-13.


However, you must get regular check ups when your daughter's front teeth start coming out b/c the orthodontist will need to take x-rays and models to assist in the planning of the orthodontic treatment. Usually this is takes place around 7-8 yrs of age.


I would recommend you to visit Dr. Ma Tsun at Bayley and Jackson. He works in both the Central and Repulse bay clinic. Before coming back to Hong Kong, he was a lecturer in orthodontics in the states. I suggest you book early since it takes quite a while to get a consultation with him.


Central clinic: Podium Level, 2/F, 210-218 Jardine House

tel: 25261061 / 25247116


Repulse bay clinic: Shop G207 Repulse Bay Hotel Shopping Arcade 109 Repulse Bay Road

tel: 28122358

Stay away from Dr. Alec Tam in Melbourne Plaza. He is both unprofessional and unethical.

Its important to get a second opinion regarding braces. From what I understand, different training background has different treatment methods. For example, UK, HK, Australia or US trained may have different treatment for the same problem. Find someone you and your child feel comfortable with.