Early orthodontic treatment for children is needed to control the development of a child’s jaw and teeth, as well as to correct bite or alignment issues before the jawbones are fully formed. Dental professionals typically recommend that kids undergo orthodontic screening by the age of seven. That way, the orthodontist will be able to detect and correct any issue as the permanent teeth emerge.
Although children develop at a different rate, primary teeth usually start coming out around age five. By age 13, most children already have most of their permanent teeth. By the late teens, the jaws stop developing and orthodontic treatment becomes more difficult. Delaying orthodontic treatment can cause serious dental health issues for the child later in life. This means orthodontic problems such as jaw misalignment and crooked teeth should be treated in a timely manner.
There are many advantages of orthodontic evaluation at an early age. It is vital to note that early evaluation is not always followed by early orthodontic treatment. In many situations, if orthodontic treatment is possibly required, the orthodontist will monitor the child’s growth patterns until the time is right for treatment. This provides a chance to obtain the best results effectively and avert future problems.
When the first molars start erupting, the dentist will check the basic alignment of the teeth. They may also be able to tell if there is enough room on the jaw for all the permanent teeth and take necessary action if there is not. Orthodontic treatments, like braces, are for correcting issues with dental alignment. They can also close gaps that may exist between the teeth. Sometimes, the teeth may be crowded, and there is not enough space to fit them on the jaw, necessitating upper jaw expansion.
If the teeth are crowded because the child’s developing jaw is too small to house all their teeth, the dentist can extract teeth to make room. But this means losing permanent teeth. Nowadays, palate expansion is the way to go.
The process involves using palatal expansion to gradually widen the roof (palate) of the mouth to create space for the incoming permanent teeth. Often, expansion is the only procedure necessary to correct bite issues. However, the dentist may recommend braces afterward to ensure that the teeth are properly aligned.
The palate is made up of two parts that do not fuse totally until adulthood. The point where they meet can be slowly separated to make space. The treatment is more effective in children because in adults, the area is closed and the halves of the palate will not move as easily. The palatal expander connects to both sides of the upper jaw with two separate pieces that move slowly apart with an expansion screw.
Although orthodontic treatment in pediatric dentistry can sound frightening, it is relatively simple and gets easier to use over time. Early orthodontic treatment ensures that the child does not have to undergo orthodontic procedures later in life.
Request an appointment here: https://www.grandparkwaypediatricdental.com or call Grand Parkway Pediatric Dental at (832) 579-0960 for an appointment in our Richmond office.
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