Orthodontics for children

By the age of 7, usually some permanent teeth have come in and the jaws have grown enough for the specialist to identify possible problems with growth and eruption, anticipate them if necessary and in turn relieve the parents if everything is normal. The first definitive molars and incisors have come out by the age of 7 and so some problems such as cross-bites, crowding and dental protrusion can be diagnosed. Suctioning problems of the thumbs or fingers can be solved more easily at this age. It is at this time that the start of a treatment of child orthodontics.

Loss of premature or late baby teeth, difficulty in chewing or biting, mouth breathing, sucking on a dummy, thumb sucking, crowding of teeth or poorly positioned teeth, jaws that make noise, biting the cheeks or palate, teeth that do not fit or fit poorly, and jaws or teeth that are disproportionate to the rest of the face. An orthodontic revision with the specialist at the age of 7 allows the professional to evaluate the possible problems if they exist and recommend the treatment of child orthodontics more suitable.

For those patients who need a treatment of child orthodontics too early, there is a great opportunity to: Guide the correct growth of the jaws, regulate the width of the arches, bring the definitive teeth into their correct place, reduce the risk of problems with the upper incisors, correct bad habits, such as dummy and finger-sucking, reduce speech problems, improve appearance and self-esteem, simplify the intervention of a second phase of subsequent treatment, reduce the risk of impacted teeth (teeth that should have come in and have not), and preserve or save the necessary space for the definitive teeth.

The treatment of child orthodontics and the growth of a child can complement each other. One of the most common problems treated in a child is the protrusion of the upper teeth in front of the lower ones. Most of the time the problem is due to the fact that the upper jaw is shorter than the upper one. While both jaws are growing, orthodontics can help both to have a harmonic growth. This in turn eliminates the problems that occur when swallowing. This problem, which is relatively simple to solve when the child is growing, may require surgical intervention when the child is finished. It is to avoid this type of problem that we recommend a orthodontic check-up with the specialist no later than age 7, while the child's mouth is still forming.

An estimate of the end time of a treatment is just that: an estimate. Children grow at different rates and respond to treatment in different ways. When starting treatment, the orthodontist designs a treatment plan that is appropriate for the case and the objective is to obtain the planned results. The cooperation of the patientis always the best indicator that the prediction will be achieved in its time. Patients who cooperate by wearing the recommended appliances and following the orthodontist's mouth care instructions usually achieve excellent results in the expected time.

Once the appliances are removed from the mouth, the teeth could return to their initial position if they were not stabilized. Retainers produce such stabilization. They are designed to keep the teeth in their ideal position until the bones and gums adapt to the changes produced by the treatment. Wearing the retainers according to the instructions of the specialist is the best way to ensure that the smile achieved after the treatment of child orthodontics will last a lifetime.

Yes, the use of a mouth guard is recommended if the child engages in any contact sport. Your orthodontist will always recommend what is best for your child.

Playing wind instruments, such as the trumpet or flute, will require some adaptation to the apparatus. With a little practice and a period of time, the apparatus will not interfere with such instruments.