Children begin using their baby teeth at around 5-6 years old. As the adult teeth grow in, a parent may find that their child could benefit from interceptive orthodontic treatment. This treatment typically occurs right as the adult teeth begin to grow in rather than waiting until the child is 10-14 years old and ready for braces.
Interceptive orthodontics or early orthodontic treatment can help with guiding the eruption of adult teeth and correcting an abnormal bite. This can help to both improve the results of future orthodontic treatments as well as to prevent the need for some orthodontic treatments when a child is older.
There are a variety of reasons that a parent should consider interceptive orthodontic treatments for a child.
When the adult teeth grow in, the top teeth sometimes protrude over the lower ones. When this occurs, it creates several risks. For one thing, if the child plays sports or simply likes to play rough outside, it makes it more likely that the upper tooth could be knocked loose or even out.
Some children have impacted teeth, which occurs when the adult tooth does not fully erupt through the gums. Often, impacted teeth do not cause any pain, but that does not mean that they are not doing damage. They cause pressure and can sometimes rub the surrounding teeth, which may eventually lead to the loss of the tooth.
Impacted teeth may also cause the gums to develop an infection. Over time, if an impacted tooth does emerge, it may be in an extremely abnormal position. Impacted teeth may not be noticed until they are visible on an X-ray. Early intervention of impaction, such as extracting preceding baby teeth or expanding a narrow jaw, can help the tooth to move into the proper position.
Some children end up developing a crossbite as their adult teeth grow in. Delaying treatment of a crossbite can cause serious problems with the temporomandibular joint, which is the jawbone that connects to the skull. Over time, it can increase the risk of TMJ disorders, which are often incredibly painful if they flare up.
Early treatment can improve or even completely repair a crossbite and prevent it from becoming worse. Usually, the culprit is a narrow upper jaw. Using a device to expand the upper jaw can prevent teeth from becoming overcrowded as well.
In addition to the medical benefits, there are other benefits to treating a child's teeth early. Early treatment is often easier on the patient and typically more affordable than waiting until the child is old enough to wear braces. In addition, a professional can often help a child break bad oral health habits such as sucking the thumb or thrusting the tongue against the teeth.
interceptive orthodontic treatment is essential for many children. It can help to prevent serious issues down the road as well as make the overall treatment process more affordable. A dental professional can help parents determine the right options for their children.
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