The Foundation for a Lifetime of Beautiful Teeth
Early (also known as Phase-One or interceptive ) treatment typically begins around age seven. By this age, all the permanent incisors (front teeth) and the permanent first molars should have erupted and we can evaluate growth discrepancies of the jaws.
The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems and also correct the bad habits. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions and more complicated treatment options in the future.
When does my child need early treatment?
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty chewing and/or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Thumb sucking after age five
- Speech impediments
- Protruding teeth
- Teeth that don’t come together
- Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes the mouth (crossbites)
- Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight
- Tongue thrust
Thumb Sucking
Thumb sucking can have a detrimental affect on children’s teeth. Over time the top teeth can be pulled forward and the bottom teeth pushed back.
Tongue Thrusting
Tongue thrusting is the persistence of an infantile swallow pattern during late childhood. It is the motion of pushing your tongue forward, against the back of the teeth or between the top and bottom teeth, when swallowing, speaking or relaxing. This may have severe impact on the development of the permanent teeth, as well as the alignment of the jaw bones, and facial appearance. It can be caused by thumb sucking, prolonged use of dummy, narrow upper jaw, tongue tie, enlarged tonsils and allergies.
What Are the Benefits of an Early Treatment?
For young patients who have clear indications for early orthodontic intervention, this type of treatment presents an opportunity to:
- Guide the growth of the jaws
- Regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches
- Guide erupting permanent teeth to desirable positions
- Lower the risk of traumatic injury to protruded upper incisors (front teeth)
- Help eliminate harmful oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking, which can cause open bites
- Reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or some speech problems
- Improve personal appearance and self-esteem
- Potentially simplify and shorten treatment time for later comprehensive orthodontics
- Reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come in but have not), and preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are appearing
If your child is 7 years old and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, get in touch with us. Dr Banaie will perform an initial examination and discuss with you the best steps to take towards caring for your child’s smile.
Planning now can save smiles later!
Straight Teeth: The Natural Way
MYOBRACE FOR KIDS
Treatment can begin as soon as the poor oral habits are recognised. With good compliance, excellent results can be achieved. Waiting until all permanent teeth have come through to begin treatment with braces can, unfortunately, lead to irreversible damage affecting the teeth and the child’s overall health and development.
The Myobrace®System is a preventive pre-orthodontic treatment that addresses the underlying causes of crooked teeth, often without the need for braces or extraction of teeth, unlocking natural growth and development. The appliances assist in correcting poor oral habits, developing and aligning the jaws, straightening the teeth, optimising facial development and improving overall health. It helps the child breathe through the nose, correct tongue resting position, swallow correctly and keep the lips together. Treatment involves using a series of removable intra-oral appliances worn for 1-2 hours each day plus overnight while sleeping.