Early Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment in young children is known as interceptive orthodontics, and it can begin as early as age 6 or 7. At this age, teeth are still developing and the jaw is still growing. That means certain conditions, such as crowding, may be easier to address.
It is important to note that early treatment does not apply to all orthodontic problems; however, it may help in certain cases.
Benefits of EARLY ORTHODONTICS
Early intervention takes advantage of the fact that a child's jaw is still growing. Early treatment is useful when the dental arches and jaws are not in the correct position. Functional appliances can fix or improve these problems. More treatment usually is needed later on, but it may be shorter and less involved. Overall early orthodontic treatment may:
Guide jaw growth
Lower the risk of trauma to the protruded front teeth
Correct harmful habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, lip wedging
Improve appearance and self–esteem
Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
Improve the way lips meet
Kids braces have improved a lot in the past couple of decades. Technology has made them more comfortable and more attractive than the braces most parents remember wearing.
The patient would benefit from early treatment if any of the following are present:
Early or late loss of permanent teeth
Difficulty in chewing
Breathing through the mouth
Thumb sucking
Crowded, misplaced or blocked–out teeth
Jaws that are that are too far forward of back
Biting the cheeks or into the roof of the mouth
Front teeth that do not meet, or meet in an abnormal way
An unbalance facial appearance
Grinding or clenching of the teeth
Sources:
http://www.colgate.com
http://moonstruckeffects.com/
