Orthodontics for children
Orthodontics is a dental specialty focused on diagnosing, intercepting and treating dentofacial abnormalities, commonly known as malocclusions.
This discipline requires considerable professional skill. The practitioner must carefully plan, design, fit and monitor dentofacial orthopaedic appliances. These professional techniques align the teeth, jaws and soft tissues to achieve dentofacial harmony.
Acting early is essential to make the desired correction easier and restore balanced development of the jaws and teeth.
When treatment is directed at young patients, it is referred to as jaw orthopaedics.
When should you seek advice?
Your dentist is qualified to recommend an orthodontic assessment after a dental examination, with the aim of ensuring normal development of the teeth.
Regular dental visits beginning in childhood are therefore the first step. If necessary, the patient will then be referred to another professional: an orthodontist.
The proposed approach may be interceptive orthodontic treatment or jaw orthopaedics.
What is interceptive treatment?
This treatment should begin before all the primary, or baby, teeth have fallen out.
Tooth displacement can already be seen as early as age four.
Once the growth period has ended, treatments aimed at correcting jaw position through orthopaedics are no longer useful. At that stage, jaw size and position can no longer be changed without maxillofacial surgery.
Teeth, however, can still be realigned with orthodontics, even in adults.
Treatment acts on the foundations supporting the teeth and aims to facilitate the eruption of permanent teeth. It is called the interceptive phase because further corrections are involved later.
What does treatment involve?
Treatment aims to correct the dental arches by fitting an appliance that holds the teeth and prevents further displacement, correcting their position.
Here are two common options:
The Invisalign method
Invisalign is a well-known brand offering a different approach to straightening teeth. The system uses a series of aligners to correct tooth alignment.
First, a custom-made aligner is created. A series of aligners is then produced as treatment progresses, allowing gradual adjustment.
The advantage is that the appliance is transparent and therefore discreet in everyday life. It also has a more aesthetic appearance than braces.
Wearing braces
Braces are a more traditional and familiar option. This long-established technique has a proven track record.
They gently straighten the teeth.
This classic technique has improved considerably. The brackets used today are much smaller and more discreet than before.
A range of colours is also available to appeal to young patients.
What are the risks of not receiving orthodontic treatment?
Leaving certain malocclusions untreated may lead to the following risks as a person gets older:
- Increased development of cavities
- Gum diseases such as gingivitis
- Damage to the bone around the teeth (periodontitis)
- Chewing problems
- Digestive problems
- Difficulty cleaning the teeth properly
- Accelerated tooth wear
- Tooth loss
- General dental problems
- Possible speech problems
- An unattractive appearance of the teeth
What are the benefits?
Along with eliminating the risks mentioned above, a beautiful smile has psychological benefits. Beyond health, it contributes to self-confidence and a sense of well-being.
Which functions does orthodontics affect?
Here is an overview of functions that orthodontic treatment can improve:
Correcting malocclusions
Dental malocclusion is a condition in which the teeth or jaws are incorrectly positioned in relation to one another.
This causes serious problems by disrupting the muscular function of the jaws. Some problems develop in childhood, while others progress in adulthood.
These problems include:
- Severe, intermittent pain
- Difficulty closing the mouth
- Difficulty clenching the teeth
- Speech problems
- Difficulty breathing properly (mouth breathing)
- Insufficient space for the tongue
- Postural problems
- Compression affecting other body structures, such as veins, arteries or the heart
- Difficulty finding a resting position for the jaw and body
- Heart problems, including tachycardia (a rapid heart rate)
- Insomnia
- Depression
- Facial paralysis
- Problems sensing the position of the body at rest or in motion (proprioception)
Chewing
Good digestion begins with chewing food properly.
Healthy teeth are essential for this. Tooth loss, loss of support and misalignment can all affect chewing.
Some factors that can cause chewing problems in children include:
- Cavities
- Tooth loss
- Gum conditions
Speech production
Teeth play an important role in speech sounds, making their position important.
For some consonants, the tongue rests against the upper incisors and their inner surfaces.
Missing teeth can therefore affect pronunciation. In children, this may weaken self-esteem and contribute to a fear of speaking in public.
Breathing
Dental problems can affect breathing. Incorrect positioning of the teeth or jaw may contribute to breathing difficulties.
Swallowing
Swallowing must function normally for good digestion. Healthy teeth support proper swallowing.
Growth
It is preferable to intervene during active growth to correct skeletal imbalances between the jaws.
It is mistaken to believe that growth alone will correct a malocclusion.
Jaw imbalances should therefore be assessed in childhood. An initial evaluation around age seven is recommended as a preventive measure.
Ask your dentist for an initial assessment of your child’s teeth. Acting in time helps avoid future problems that will be difficult to correct in adulthood.
Take the opportunity to teach your child good dental hygiene. By setting an example, you can help delay the development of dental health problems.
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