Orthodontics can help address issues with your bite and provide a variety of benefits, like improved oral hygiene, improved speech, and an improved smile. Orthodontics works best when patients are around the ages of 9 to 14. At this point, the jaw and facial structures are still developing, but most of the permanent teeth should have erupted.
Parents should take their child to a dentist for orthodontic screening before the age of 7. This allows for early detection of any issues that are developing, so appropriate treatments can be performed while the child’s jaw and facial structures are developing.
If a malocclusion is detected during a bite analysis, the dentist will come up with a strategic treatment plan that addresses it. In some cases, treatment might not be needed immediately. The dentist might opt to monitor the child while their jaw and facial structures continue growing before making a recommendation about potential treatment options.
If the child’s bite issues require immediate treatment, the dentist will talk to the child and their parent about potential treatment options. Early treatment of orthodontic issues can help create enough space for teeth that have yet to erupt, it can stop developing problems, and it can guide the growth and development of facial structures. Dental issues that a dentist might opt to fix before all of a child’s permanent teeth have erupted include:
Orthodontic problems can develop as a result of a child’s genetics, trauma to the face, dental disease, or habits like thumb sucking.
There are many ways to address bite issues early on. In some cases, an extraction might be all that is needed to stop a malocclusion from developing. Removing a tooth on a crowded jaw creates more space for the remaining teeth to grow into their proper alignment.
Appliances like braces can also be used to move the patient’s teeth. Clear aligners can get the job done, but they typically are not recommended for children because they require a level of commitment that most children cannot meet. Clear aligners need to be worn for at least 20 hours daily, and that can be challenging for a child to keep up with.
Fixed appliances, like braces, work best for children because they cannot be removed during the duration of treatment. Regardless of what option the dentist recommends, treating orthodontic issues early on typically leads to more effective and shorter treatment times.
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Straightening your child’s teeth early on can help them avoid being the target of bullies and can even give them a confidence boost. The process of straightening teeth works best when your child’s facial structures and jaw are still forming. Call or visit our Cleburne clinic to learn more about how our dentist can fix your child’s malocclusion.
Request an appointment or call Tennison Orthodontics at 817-522-7358 for an appointment in our Cleburne office.
Orthodontics help straighten improperly aligned teeth. Teeth alignment problems can ruin the appearance of your smile and leave your teeth more vulnerable to issues like tooth decay and gum disease.Orthodontics uses devices like braces and clear aligners to improve the alignment of teeth by gradually pushing them to better positions over time. Common teeth alignment…
Orthodontics can be used to treat a variety of teeth alignment issues, like a crossbite or crooked teeth. The alignment of a person’s teeth plays an important role when it comes to their oral and overall health. A person has a bad bite when some or all of their teeth do not come together as…
Orthodontics aims to improve the alignment of your teeth. Doing so improves the way that your smile looks and makes it easier to keep your teeth clean, protecting you against tooth decay and gum disease.Clear aligners provide a discreet way to straighten teeth. They allow patients to avoid having to deal with metal wires and…
Invisalign® is a modern teeth-straightening option that serves as an alternative to metal braces. Invisalign eliminates the need for brackets and wires; instead, it uses a series of clear plastic aligners to realign the teeth. Although lots of individuals are aware of the aesthetic advantages of Invisalign, like a straighter smile, there are also health…
Looking for a braces specialist? Read on to learn more. You might be hesitant to see a braces specialist if you already see a general dentist regularly. In some cases, patients have an individual situation that requires consulting a specialist. Generally, these professionals have more experience in orthodontics and a consultation with them might make…