Do braces stunt teeth growth ???

[max]

My son had braces put in (the traditional metal ones) when he turned 11 years old. Now that he is 13, he still has the braces, and although his teeth are straight, they have not grown in length ever since he had the braces put in.

Does anyone know if braces can stunt the growth/length of teeth in growing children??

I asked the orthodontist about this, but he just said 'no' and went on with his work.... however I am not convinced.

When the braces where first put on, I also noticed that, within weeks the brackets pushed up closer to the gum line and my son's teeth looked as though they had been pushed into the gum. Two years later, his teeth haven't grown in length whatsoever and appear shorter than before he had braces put in....I was wondering if anyone knew or had heard of braces stunting or affecting the growth of children's teeth??

[Sunny]

Max I suggest your talk to your son's ortho to find out about the length of your sons teeth.

Hopefully everything will be ok!

[Protoman2050]

Your teeth are not supposed to get longer! If they get longer, that means the gums are receeding, which means severe periodontitis.

Be very thankful that his teeth are not getting longer, as that means his gums are healthy. Mine are getting longer (rate increased quite rapidly on my URQ when I got my spacers), and I have mild chronic periodontitis, and I presume severe acute periodontitis on my URQ (necrotic ulcer on my gums there).

[geri]

Hi max!

Your question is quite interesting! I think that because of the direction of the forces in the growing of a teeth (it's a downward force) and the forces made by the braces (forces in variable directions but not upward!!!) aren't opposite each other the braces won't affect the length of a growing teeth.
Of course that's only my opinion, maybe you should talk about this question with another ortho.