Three Common Types of Early Orthodontic Treatment

Early Orthodontic Treatment Belmont, MA

The primary goal of early orthodontic treatment is to prevent and fix bite misalignments. Several causes, including genetics, the premature loss of primary (baby) teeth, and harmful oral habits (like thumb sucking) may lead to such anomalies. Orthodontic abnormalities might be congenital or occur during early childhood. Straight teeth can reduce the incidence of dental decay and childhood periodontal disease, whereas crooked teeth lower self-esteem and make proper oral hygiene harder. This article covers the three major forms of early orthodontic treatment often recommended by pediatric dentists.

Types of early orthodontic treatment

Your pediatric dentist can use a variety of diagnostic techniques during biannual checkups to evaluate orthodontic anomalies and, if required, adopt early intervention measures. Before reaching eight years old, children should have received their first orthodontic assessment. Three early orthodontic treatments are used by orthodontists, depending on the patient's age.

Phase one treatment (two to six years old)

The goal of early orthodontic treatment is to control and guide the width of both dental arches. The major objective is to provide the permanent teeth ample room to emerge properly. Ideal candidates include children with biting difficulties, premature baby teeth loss, clicking or grinding jaws, and those who breathe via their mouth (instead of nose).

With the phase one treatment, the pediatric dentist works with parents and children to break undesirable oral habits such as thumb sucking and excessive pacifier usage. The dentist may also recommend one of many dental appliances to help encourage jaw growth, preserve the gap for incoming adult teeth (space maintainers), or keep teeth from moving out of their positions.

Phase two orthodontics (six to twelve years)

Phase two orthodontics aims to realign misaligned jaws, repair crossbites, and start the process of gradually correcting mispositioned permanent teeth. The soft and hard tissues of the oral cavity are particularly malleable at this stage of development. In some respects, this is an ideal moment to start treatment for severe malocclusion.

The dentist may recommend a dental appliance for the child at this point. Orthodontic options can be fixed or detachable – braces and aligners are the most popular options. The child will be able to talk, eat, and chew normally, irrespective of the device. Children who have fixed dental appliances, on the other hand, should take special care to clean their oral cavity every day to avoid discoloration, decay, and subsequent aesthetic issues when the treatment ends.

Phase three (adolescents)

Orthodontic therapy is most frequently associated with adolescents' teeth. Straightening permanent teeth and enhancing the cosmetic look of the smile is part of the main objective of adolescent treatment.

Typically, the dentist will place permanent or removable "braces" on the teeth during this time to progressively straighten them. The teenager may need to wear a retainer after completing orthodontic treatment to prevent the teeth from reverting to their original position.

In conclusion

Please contact the dental office to book an appointment if your child is between the ages of seven and eight and it looks like they might need early orthodontic treatment. The pediatric dentist will do an initial examination on your child and discuss the best strategies to help them improve their smile.

Request an appointment here: https://belmontsmiles.net or call Belmont Smiles at (617) 608-2108 for an appointment in our Belmont office.

Check out what others are saying about our services on Yelp: Read our Yelp reviews.

Recent Posts

Benefits Of Getting A Crossbite Corrected

Having a crossbite means that when you bite your teeth together, they are out of alignment. When this happens, you have bottom teeth on the outside of your top row of teeth. This condition can lead to an asymmetrical, uneven look for the face and make you self-conscious about your smile. There are health reasons…

FAQs About Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are common dental pieces that are placed where teeth once were. The empty space created by dislodgement or extraction can put the oral cavity at risk, which is why the role that space maintainers play is so large. Orthodontists and many other dental professionals recommend space maintainers to set the child up for…

How An Orthodontist Can Help Improve Speech And Chewing Through Bite Correction

Oral health is foundational to good overall health. Through the help of an orthodontist and bite correction, difficulties with chewing or speaking can be overcome. The inability to ingest food or clearly articulate impacts both physical and mental health. Bite correction has the potential to change the course of an individual’s health and wellness.Changes in…

4 Reasons To Visit An Invisalign Orthodontist

Considering Invisalign treatment? Orthodontists are the go-to dentists for straightening crooked teeth. They can help improve your smile and oral health through the use of clear aligners known as Invisalign.In this article, we discuss a few good reasons to visit an Invisalign orthodontist. This information can be especially helpful to someone who isn’t sure whether…

Recent Posts

Benefits Of Getting A Crossbite Corrected

Benefits Of Getting A Crossbite Corrected

Having a crossbite means that when you bite your teeth together, they are out of alignment. When this happens, you have bottom teeth on the outside of your top row of teeth. This condition can lead to an asymmetrical, uneven look for the face and make you self-conscious about your smile. There are health reasons…

FAQs About Space Maintainers

FAQs About Space Maintainers

Space maintainers are common dental pieces that are placed where teeth once were. The empty space created by dislodgement or extraction can put the oral cavity at risk, which is why the role that space maintainers play is so large. Orthodontists and many other dental professionals recommend space maintainers to set the child up for…