Orthodontics for Children FMS DENTAL

ORTHODONTICS
FOR CHILDREN

Orthodontist recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7

Orthodontic treatment can be a very important part of your child’s oral health care. Teeth that work together make it possible to bite and chew properly, and contribute to clear speech. Teeth that function well tend to have a pleasing appearance. The beautiful smile that results from orthodontic treatment is the outward sign of good oral health, and sets the stage for overall well-being. Orthodontist recommends that all children have an orthodontic screening no later than age 7.

What will I learn at an early check-up?

In general, an examination would reveal if your child has an existing orthodontic problem, or if one is developing. You could also learn that no problems are present at this time.

Only a few orthodontic problems need correction while a child has baby teeth. In the event that a problem is detected, chances are your orthodontist will take a “wait-and-see” approach, and will check your child’s growth and development periodically. When the time is right for your child, orthodontic treatment can begin.

Will my child need early treatment?

Are braces used in early treatment?

When a child has early treatment (while most baby teeth are present), the type of treatment varies based on the kind of problem a child needs corrected. The goal of early treatment is to create a better environment for permanent teeth as they come in. Not all orthodontic treatment is accomplished with braces. For some patients, early treatment could consist of removal of a stubborn baby tooth, so that the succeeding permanent tooth can arrive in its proper place. Some patients may need help with how to position their tongue when they swallow, while others may need intervention to stop a thumb- or finger-sucking habit. These are sometimes treated with habit appliances. If a child’s upper jaw is too narrow, so that the permanent teeth do not have room to come in, treatment could consist of a palate expander to widen the jaw. Braces are often recommended to optimize tooth and jaw alignment after most or all of the permanent teeth are in.

Not necessarily. Sometimes preventive or interceptive orthodontic treatment is all that a patient needs. More often, though, patients will require a second phase of comprehensive orthodontic treatment after a child has most or all of their permanent teeth. This completes the tooth and jaw alignment that was started with a first phase of preventive or interceptive treatment.

If treatment is done while my child has some baby teeth, does that mean she/he is done with treatment?

Why move baby teeth?

The purpose of early treatment is not moving baby teeth to improve their appearance. Rather, early treatment is done to create a healthy environment for permanent teeth that will be coming in. While baby teeth may be repositioned in preventive or interceptive orthodontic treatment, their movement is incidental. Baby teeth are there to hold space for permanent teeth, to help with facial development, to make it possible to bite and chew, and for clear speech.

If you notice any of these signs, consult us at the earliest. 

  • Early or late loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty in chewing or biting
  • Mouth breathing
  • Jaws that shift or make sounds
  • Speech difficulties
  • Biting the cheek or the roof of the mouth
  • Facial imbalance
  • Grinding or clenching of teeth

Signs that the Bite’s Not Right for your kids

Growth modulation with Myofunctional appliances.

1). Functional appliances are used before fixed appliances, in cases where there are growth related problems of the jaws.

  2)They are removable/fixed appliances that work by posturing the lower jaw forward and in doing so reducing the gap between the top and bottom teeth.

3)Treatment time takes about 6-9 months, depending on how well they are worn and fixed appliances are usually used after this to align the teeth.

4)This treatment is best carried out when the patient is young going through the growth phase so that jaw growth can be stimulated to help reduce the prominence of the upper teeth.

5)Myofunctional appliance holds the lower jaw forward and guides eruption of the teeth into a more desirable bite while helping the upper and lower jaws to grow in proportion with each other. Patient compliance in wearing this appliance is essential for successful improvement.

If a child has got small lower jaw giving him an appearance of bird face, a custom fabricated removable myofunctional appliance called an activator or a twin block can be given to child to wear on teeth and jaws, which delivers natural, mild and painless forces to the growing lower jaw through jaw muscles to make it grow more and in proportion to the upper jaw. These appliances are given to young children when they have jaw problems along with the teeth problems.
Twin Block Appliance

Twin Block Appliance

Orthopedic appliances

Head Gear

Head Gear(diagram)
Headgears are external appliances which are used to deliver orthodontic / orthopaedic forces to teeth /jaw bones. Headgears take support of external surface of skull bone / neck to apply desirable forces. Headgears generally are used for a specified number of hours per day and can be removed / worn easily by the patient.
This appliance applies pressure to the upper teeth and upper jaw to guide the rate and direction of upper jaw growth and upper tooth eruption. The headgear may be removed by the patient and is usually worn 10 to 12 hours per day. Regular use of your headgear achieves the best results.

Palatal Expansion Appliance with Face Mask

head gear with facemask
A child’s upper jaw may also be too narrow for the upper teeth to fit properly with the lower teeth (a cross bite) along with lower jaw forwardly positioned, this appliance helps in correction of the jaw problem.

Habit breaking appliance.

Habit breaking appliances are specific, custom fabricated appliances which may be removable or fixed and are mostly worn inside the mouth to help a child to discontinue a detrimental thumb or finger sucking habit or to improve a bad tongue posture which may cause undesirable teeth position and affect growth of facial bones. These appliances are worn until the child completely stops a particular habit. These appliances can be used separately or along with fixed braces.
Habit breaking appliance

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