Does your little one need children's braces? What's the right age to begin kids' orthodontics? The answer to these questions will depend on several factors, including your child's oral health, skeletal structure, growth and development. Here, our team at Beth's Braces will shed some light on the world of kids' braces so you can make the right decision for your family.
Your Child's First Orthodontic Visit
Ideally, you should start bringing your child to the dentist after his or her first birthday or whenever the first tooth erupts. But what's the right age to bring your child to the orthodontist? According to the American Association of Orthodontists, every child should have an orthodontic consultation by age seven. Why? Because subtle issues regarding the teeth and the jaw can be detected while some of the primary teeth are still present. This allows your orthodontist to determine if – and when – your child will need braces.
Does My Child Need Braces?
When it comes to kids' orthodontics, some children will need it and some won't. Furthermore, while the majority of orthodontic patients begin treatment around the age of 11 or 12, some may need to begin treatment at a younger age. The only way to know for sure is to bring your child in for an orthodontic consultation. We offer a wide range of treatments, including Invisalign® for kids for qualifying patients.
Common Growth and Development Issues in Children
Oral and maxillofacial discrepancies can result in more serious problems in the future. This is true for individuals of all ages. However, treating these issues earlier rather than later – with early orthodontic treatment – gives young patients the best chance for lifelong oral health. Here are some of the most common growth and development issues present in children:
Asthma: In young children, asthma can cause structural changes to the orofacial structures.
Compromised airway: While congestion is expected during a cold or illness, chronic airway obstruction should not be a normal occurrence. Abnormalities such as bite problems, breathing disorders and irregular orofacial growth can cause a compromised airway.
Constricted palate: When the upper dental arch is too narrow, it can lead to overcrowding, bite issues and abnormal jaw growth.
Mouth breathing: It may seem harmless, but mouth breathing dries out the oral soft tissues, leading to chronic inflammation. This condition can ultimately cause dental crowding, abnormal facial growth and airway obstruction.
Retruded lower jaw: In addition to making the chin appear smaller, an underdeveloped lower jaw can increase the risk of TMD (temporomandibular joint disorder) later in life.
What is Phase One Treatment?
Sometimes young patients require staged treatment to achieve optimal results. This is usually necessary when there are certain skeletal abnormalities present, such as the conditions listed above. Phase one treatment – also referred to as early orthodontic treatment – can correct these issues while the patient is still in the developmental stages. Once jaw growth is complete, it is virtually impossible to address skeletal issues without oral surgery. Simply stated, early orthodontic treatment can save you a tremendous amount of time, money and worry in the future. Most patients who undergo staged orthodontics will go through Phase one treatment around age seven or eight, then follow up with Phase Two around age 11 or 12.
Common Approaches During Phase One Treatment
First, it's important to understand that every patient is unique. Therefore, every treatment plan is tailored to the specific needs of your child. If your child undergoes phase one treatment, Dr. Beth may use any combination of removable and fixed appliances to achieve the desired result. Some of the most common appliances used during early orthodontic treatment include:
Braces: Most children who undergo phase one treatment will wear braces at some point. Like the ones worn during phase two, these appliances are fixed – meaning your child cannot remove them.
Orthodontic headgear: This removable appliance is often recommended if the upper jaw is overdeveloped and the lower jaw is underdeveloped.
Bionator: This removable appliance can promote lower jaw growth to help correct an overbite. It's held to the top teeth with a wire. When the jaw is closed, a portion of the appliance contacts the lower teeth and helps place the jaw in a more forward position.
Twin Block: Similar to the Bionator, the twin block is comprised of two pieces instead of one. This design is preferable for some patients, as it is less bulky. Generally, the twin block is removable, but it can be fixed in place when necessary.
Herbst: A non-removable appliance, the Herbst is designed to move the jaw into a more forward position. It accomplishes this by affixing a small tube (like a tiny shock absorber) to the upper molars and connecting it to a fixed point on the lower teeth.
Palatal expander: If your child has a narrow or constricted palate, a palatal expander may be necessary. As the name suggests, this appliance widens the dental arch to make more room in the upper jaw.
Retainer: These appliances keep the teeth in their new positions once they've been moved. Retainers may be fixed or removable, depending on the patient's needs.
During a consultation at our practice, Dr. Beth can let you know which appliances can benefit your child. Our team can design a fully customized treatment plan to give your child the healthy, beautiful smile he or she deserves!
Benefits of Kids' Orthodontics
Whether your child requires staged or traditional orthodontic treatment, braces for kids offer plenty of aesthetic, functional and oral health benefits. For example, children's braces can:
Harmonize the width of the upper and lower dental arches
Positively influence jaw growth and development
Guide erupting teeth into their proper locations
Simplify any necessary treatment in the future
Drastically improve your child's oral health
Decrease the risk of trauma (especially for protruding front teeth)
Reduce the risk of impacted permanent teeth
Improve speech patterns
Correct harmful oral habits
Improve the aesthetics of your child's smile
Learn More About Children's Braces
If you'd like to know more about kids' orthodontics, schedule a consultation at our Las Vegas, NV practice. In addition to having over a decade of dental experience, Dr. Beth also completed three years of specialty training in orthodontics so she can provide the highest-quality care to patients of all ages. Invest in children's braces now and give your little one a lifetime of oral health benefits. Have questions? Contact us anytime.
