Child & Phase I Treatment
Early Orthodontics in Willowbrook, Countryside, Hinsdale & Burr Ridge, IL
Dr. Yue and our expert team work hard to design specialized treatment plans that perfectly suit our patients’ unique orthodontic needs, and we have the knowledge and skills to make a trip to our office a pleasant experience for everyone involved – even the young ones. And that’s a good thing, because sometimes orthodontic treatment has to start early!
In keeping with the American Association of Orthodontists, we ask parents to bring their child in for an initial orthodontic examination around age 7. By this age, the back bite is established, so we can spot current problems as well as problems that may develop down the line. While we may or may not start treatment at this stage, evaluating early lets us monitor your child’s growth and development so we can choose the ideal time to start treatment. Sometimes, though, interceptive treatment is a necessity.
When Earlier is Better
- Treatment for most orthodontic problems starts after the baby teeth have fallen out and most permanent teeth are in place – typically around age 9-14.
- But there are certain bite problems that are much easier to treat if caught early on, when we can take advantage of a child’s natural growth processes.
- We can use orthodontic appliances like expanders to gradually widen the jaws, creating space for permanent teeth and guiding proper growth.
- Early treatment can often prevent the need for more complex procedures, such as oral surgery, later on.
Crowding
Did you know orthodontists can often predict future crowding before all the permanent teeth have even erupted? Using diagnostic tools like X-rays, intraoral scans, and a comprehensive orthodontic assessment, we can spot potential alignment issues early and plan the best course of action.
Here are five early signs of crowding:
- Permanent teeth coming in twisted, angled, or overlapping
- Teeth with little to no space between them
- Baby teeth are lost much earlier or later than expected
- Overlapping or crooked front teeth
- Bite shifting or jaw not closing evenly
Retraining Bad Habits
Certain oral habits, if left unaddressed, can affect the way a child’s teeth and jaws develop. These include:
- Thumb or finger sucking may cause an open bite, overbite, or changes in jaw shape.
- Mouth breathing can lead to narrow arches, facial growth changes, and dry mouth issues.
- Tongue thrusting pushes teeth out of alignment and affects speech.
- Prolonged pacifier use has similar effects to thumb sucking when used past toddler years.
- Nail biting or chewing on objects may cause tooth wear or chipping.
Dangers of Mouth Breathing
Mouth breathing is another abnormal early childhood behavior that can have serious effects down the line. This is characterized by a child always breathing with their mouth opening, and if left untreated, it can cause serious abnormalities in the muscular structure and functions of the face and impair proper jaw growth.
We can work with your child to correct these habits, and we can use a variety of appliances and techniques to help change them. Starting early is key, though – the longer the habits go on, the more damage they cause. That’s why it’s so critical to bring your child in for an initial exam when they turn 7.
