Orthodontic Treatment
CHILDREN AND ADOLESCENTS
- Many children will benefit from orthodontic treatment at an early age before all permanent teeth grow into the mouth.
- Treatment at an early age is usually preventive or interceptive orthodontics.
- Certain types of problems can be intercepted and corrected when they first start to develop.
- Early treatment will prevent developing problems from worsening and becoming fully developed.
- Correcting many problems early allows the teeth, jaw structures and surrounding facial structures (lips, cheeks, etc) to grow in balance and harmony, instead of growing further out of balance.
EARLY TREATMENT
Treatment started at an early age takes place in two phases.
- An early phase to intercept and correct a developing problem may take approximately 10 to 14 months.
- Treatment is then stopped, and a person is allowed to grow.
- Once all permanent teeth have grown into place, a second or final phase of treatment is started to finalize alignment of the teeth and bite relationship.
- The second phase of treatment may take 12 to 18 months to complete.
- Overall, a person may have to undergo treatment for two to two and a half years, but the treatment is tailored to the individual's needs and growth pattern, instead of waiting until the problem is fully developed and growth is completed and then attempting to correct the problem.
Problems that can be corrected:
- Aligning front teeth that are crowded, mal-aligned or spaced apart.
- Relieving crowded dental arches and creating space for the remaining permanent teeth to grow into the mouth in a proper position.
- Correcting jaw malformation – which causes overbite and underbite (due to deviation in the growth pattern of jaw structure).
- Correcting crossbite (top teeth gorw inside the bottom teeth).
- Early removal of extra teeth that may develop
Advantages of early treatment:
- Enhances a child's self-image considerably through improved appearance (child does not have to gorw up feeling unattractive!).
- Intercepts a problem early and prevents a problem from becoming worse.
- Returns jaw relationships to normal at an early age and allows future growth of the jaw structures and the facial muscles to occur in balance and harmony.
- Provides better chewing function at an early age.
- Provides better health of the teeth and gum tissue.
- Promotes normal bone development adjacent to the developing teeth.
- Improves long-term stability of the teeth--teeth stay in place better when straightened early.
- Prevents injury or accidental damage (fracture, chipping) to protruded front teeth due to injury or trauma from accidents.
- Prevents the need for removal of permanent teeth at a later age in order to correct a problem.
- Prevents impaction of permanent teeth by creating space for these teeth to grow into the mouth.
- Can eliminate oral habits--such as finger or thumb sucking.
- Partial braces versus full braces are necessary, making it easier for the patient to wear the appliances.
- Can take advantage of the growth of the face and jaw structures to correct a problem.
A child may not be ready to takde care of the braces. This includes:
- Brushing and cleaning of the teeth.
- Care of appliances by avoiding hard and sticky foods, which loosen braces.
- Wearing removable appliances as necessary to help the teeth move.
Many times the question is asked, "If corrected early, will teeth shift as a person grows?"
Usually not. The earlier the teeth are aligned, the more stable they will tend to be. There is also less tendency for future shifting or changes to occur. About 90% of all tooth movement is permanent, and there is a 5% to 10% chance of teeth shifting after treatment, regardless of what age they are corrected. The advantage that early treatment offers is that once teeth are aligned and a person continues to grow, the bone adapts to the new position of the teeth and can provide more stability.