Children's Orthodontics

Are you considering orthodontics for your child? Taking your child to see a dentist early can prevent future problems and avoid surgery.

Call Face Value Dental (07) 3221 0677 to book an appointment for your child’s early orthodontic evaluation and treatment today!

Many parents believe that orthodontics can wait until all of the child's milk teeth have erupted. The truth is, addressing your children’s dental issues when they’re younger has the potential to reduce the amount of time they spend in orthodontic treatment later.

There are many issues that can be corrected through early childhood orthodontic intervention.

Hereditary orthodontic issues

Like overbites, underbites, jaw and tooth size, extra or missing teeth and jaw discrepancies – can lead to other dental problems down the road. Negative oral habits common amongst little children like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting and breathing through the mouth can also give rise to orthodontic problems.

Braces are often required to address these genetic issues as well as those caused by accidents or dental disease. It is important to identify the signs and symptoms early even when the condition appears “premature” or "normal".

At Face Value Dental, Brisbane, we help parents understand the significant role that early orthodontic evaluation and treatment play in their children’s dental health. Our job as dental professionals is not merely to fix problems but where possible, prevent them from occurring.

The same yardstick applies to children’s orthodontics. Early detection and treatment of your child’s orthodontic problems can mean the difference between a minimally invasive procedure now and complex surgery later. From as early as 6 or 7 years of age, your child may be assessed to determine whether there is a need for braces.

To book a professional orthodontic evaluation for your child, call Face Value Dental at (07) 3221 0677.

What is Children’s Orthodontics?

Orthodontics is a type of dental treatment that corrects any jaw and tooth positioning issues. The goal of all orthodontic treatments is to straighten your teeth in such a way that the upper and lower sets of teeth meet in perfect alignment.

As the name suggests, children’s orthodontics is dedicated to the teeth straightening treatment and evaluation for young kids. The main difference between children’s orthodontics and the adult version is that the treatment protocols of the former are more preventative in nature. In addition to common orthodontic objectives, a children’s dentist identifies the bad habits and early problems that can cause future alignment issues – and nips them in the bud.

What are the benefits of Early Orthodontic Intervention?

There are significant advantages to wearing braces during childhood. A growing child’s teeth and jaws are more easily shaped, as opposed to adults who have to bear a lot more pain, given their developed neuromuscular structure. Of course, the biggest benefit of undergoing orthodontic procedures in childhood is having a beautiful and healthy smile in adulthood.

The other benefits of Early Orthodontic Intervention are as follows:

• Identifies and prevents further development of poor mouth habits like thumb sucking, mouth breathing and tongue thrusting.
• Prevents developmental flaws in the child’s jaw and teeth – before they develop and grow into bad bites, or worse, temporomandibular joint (TMJ) disorders
• Reduces need for future treatments, including surgery
• Save thousands in adult orthodontic treatments
• Higher quality results with lower risks and chances of relapse

Is it true that the best time to get braces is when the child is around 12 or 13?

Although orthodontic treatments may be prescribed for patients of any age, they were believed to be the most effective for young children around the age of 12 or 13 – before the teenage “growth spurt” years – as their teeth were considered more malleable at this stage. New research, however, indicate positive results for children starting preventative evaluation and treatment from as early as 6 or 7 years of age.

Confirming what oral care experts have been saying for years, extensive research has found that early orthodontic intervention significantly reduces the patient’s need for later treatment, while improving their overall oral health. For parents, early orthodontic treatment represents potential savings in the thousands – not to mention a lot less hassle for their young ones later on in life.

When should my child visit a dentist for orthodontics?

If your child has no pre-existing conditions, the best time to see a dentist is between the ages of 6 and 7. It should be understood, however, that certain conditions – even if detected at a younger age – are best left until the child grows older. Patients with teeth that are protruding or inward turning are normally treated between the ages of 8 and 10.

Other problems like deep bites and severe crowding may be addressed between the ages of 11 or 12. Even more pronounced issues – like a protruding lower jaw, gaps between the main front two incisors and congenitally missing teeth – are best treated between the ages of 13 and 15.

Arrange a complimentary orthodontic consultation for your child by calling our Brisbane CBD team on (07) 3221 0677.

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Bupa Dental Adelaide St Brisbane CBD Team - (07) 3228 2400

Face Value Dental Team - (07) 3221 0677

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