Children’s orthodontics focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating teeth and jaw misalignments in kids. It involves custom oral devices such as braces, retainers, or headgear to move your kid’s teeth and jaw in the correct position. Research by the American Association of Orthodontists shows that about three million American kids are orthodontic patients. Orthodontic treatments prevent oral disorders like tooth decay, cavities, and jaw disorders. Your child’s specialist, Dr. Yon Lai Flushing, recommends you seek early treatment for your kid’s oral conditions to prevent future problems. Children’s orthodontics can treat disorders like crowded and crooked teeth, misaligned jaws, crossbites, and underbites. There are various orthodontic treatments used in children, including:
Full braces
Full braces treat a wide range of teeth problems in children. They involve wearing archwires and brackets. Your child’s orthodontist uses dental glue to apply frames to your kid’s teeth. The archwires exact consistent and gentle pressure throughout the treatment. Braces are usually made from strong stainless steel material. Modern braces are small, comfortable, and available in many colors that appeal to kids. Your child’s orthodontist can recommend limited-phase braces inserted on a few teeth if your kid does not need full braces.
Retainers
After braces treatment, your child wears retainers to help maintain teeth alignment. Your child’s orthodontist will suggest the period your kid will wear the retainers. Retainers prevent your child’s teeth from slipping back. They are the best orthodontic procedure to correct minor problems that do not require braces. Some retainers are removable, while others are fixed.
Space maintainers
Your child’s orthodontist recommends space maintainers if your kid has a gap between the teeth. A space maintainer is a custom-made appliance that prevents neighboring teeth from blocking the space. Some space maintainers are removable and are often made of acrylic and resemble natural teeth. Other space maintainers, such as the distal shoe and the loop, are fixed. They fit perfectly on your kid’s teeth and have metal pieces to protect the space.
Palate expanders
Children with overly small palates require early orthodontic treatments. A small palate prevents your child’s teeth from growing in the correct alignment and can also lead to a crossbite. If you note such an issue in your kid, consult your orthodontist immediately for early treatment. A palate expander creates enough space for your kid’s teeth to develop.
Bionators
Orthodontists use bionators to pull children’s jaws forward. A bionator consists of two fixed parts made of acrylic. One of these parts lies on your kid’s lower teeth, while the other leans behind the front teeth. Bionators are removable.
Temporary anchorage devices (TADs)
Temporary anchorage devices are mini-screws that range from six to twelve millimeters in length and one point two to two millimeters in diameter. Orthodontists temporarily fix them to your child’s bone in the mouth to offer a fixed point from which to exact force to your kid’s teeth. TADs have more predictable teeth control. They are becoming popular in orthodontic treatment.
Children’s orthodontics focuses on preventing, diagnosing, and treating teeth and jaw misalignments in kids. It involves braces, retainers, TADs, bionators, palate expanders, and space maintainers to align your kid’s teeth and jaw. Schedule an appointment at House of Braces for children’s orthodontics to align your child’s teeth and jaw.
