Pediatric Orthodontic Treatments At An Orthodontist Near Me
You probably know that it's never too late to begin orthodontic treatment — but when it comes to your youngster's teeth, did you know that earlier may be better than later? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, kids should have an initial orthodontic screening at age 7. What makes early evaluation — and potentially, early treatment — so important?
The Importance Of Early Evaluations With Your Anacortes Orthodontist
There are several ways that kids can benefit from seeing an orthodontist at an early age, but it's important to recognize that early evaluation isn't necessarily followed by early treatment. In most cases, if orthodontic work is needed, we simply monitor your child's growth patterns until we see that it's time for treatment to begin. This gives us an opportunity to get the best results in the most efficient way, and to help prevent future problems.
Although every child's development is different, in most kids the first adult molars have typically started to emerge by around age six. This, along with other developmental markers, lets us get a handle on the basic alignment of the teeth, from front to back and side to side. It may also be possible at this point to determine whether there is adequate room in the mouth for all of the permanent teeth — and, if not, to take action.
Why Earlier Treatment Is Better
Treatment for common orthodontic problems typically begins around ages 9-14, when all of the baby teeth are gone and many of the permanent ones are in place. Although, there are some conditions that are much easier to treat if they're caught at an early age, when a child's natural growth processes are going full speed ahead:
Severe Crossbite
Severe crossbite is a condition where many or all of the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth. To treat this problem, a device called a palatal expander can be used, which gradually and painlessly widens the upper jaw; it's especially effective when the jaw itself hasn't fully developed. If we wait too long, a more complicated treatment — or even oral surgery — might be required to correct the problem.
Severe Crowding
Another condition that may benefit from early treatment is severe crowding . This occurs when the jaws are too small to accommodate all of the permanent teeth. Either palatal expansion or tooth extraction may be recommended at this point, to help the adult teeth erupt (emerge from below the gums) properly. Even if braces are required later, the treatment time will likely be shorter and less complicated.
Other Conditions That Are Best Treated Early On
Early intervention may also be helpful in resolving several other problems. Protruding teeth, especially in front, can be prone to chipping and fractures; they may also lead to problems with a child's self-image. A severe underbite, caused by the lower jaw growing much larger than the upper jaw, can result in serious bite problems. Orthodontic appliances, including braces and headgear, can be successfully used to correct these problems at this stage, when the child's development is in full swing, thereby increasing the chances that surgery can be avoided.
Correcting Bad Habits With Your Orthodontist In Bellingham, WA
At one time or another, anyone may pick up a bad habit. In children, there are some situations where a youngster's parafunctional (outside normal function) habits can actually influence the development and function of his or her teeth, jaws, and mouth. Various orthodontic treatments are available to help correct these parafunctional habits — and the sooner they're taken care of, the less damage they may cause. Unfortunately, some of these potential problems aren't always easy to recognize; which is one more reason why you should bring your child in for an early orthodontic screening. Some examples of these habits are persistent thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing:
Thumb Sucking & Tongue Thrusting
The sucking reflex is natural in early childhood; it usually disappears between ages 2 and 4. But if it persists much later, the pressure of the digit on the front teeth and the upper jaw can actually cause the teeth to move apart and the jaws to change shape. This can lead to the orthodontic problem called “open bite,” and may impair speech. An open bite can also be caused by the force of the tongue pushing forward against the teeth (tongue thrusting).
Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing — an abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth always remains open, passing air directly to the lungs — is related to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face. It may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, which can lead to serious orthodontic problems. Although mouth breathing may start from a physical difficulty, it can become a habitual action that's hard to break.
Call Derek Damon Orthodontics In Bellingham Or Anacortes Today For Early Treatment!
Early orthodontic consultations determine the extent of your child’s orthodontic needs, allowing Dr. Derek Damon and our dental team to identify problems that can affect ideal dental health, and pinpoint structural issues that may lead to severe problems later down the road. Your child’s smile is critically important to their overall well being, and to all of our staff here at Derek Damon Orthodontics in Bellingham and Anacortes, WA. If your child is experiencing symptoms of underlying orthodontic issues, please don’t hesitate to contact us today. Your child’s orthodontic well-being is important to us, so don’t wait until it’s too late!
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