Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry that deals with properly aligning teeth and jaws to improve facial structure (and your child's smile), as well as overall oral health.
Orthodontic treatment will help your child by:
• guiding permanent teeth into the proper positions
• improving lip closure
• reserving or gaining space for erupting permanent teeth
• reducing the potential for jaw joint damage
• reducing the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
• influencing proper jaw growth
• ensuring the proper width of dental arches
• improving eruption patterns
• lowering the risk of damage to protruded upper teeth
• shortening treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
• improving some speech problems
An orthodontic problem is called a malocclusion, or "bad bite." Some examples of causes of malocclusion include crowded teeth, extra teeth, missing teeth, or misaligned jaws. Most malocclusions are inherited, although some can be acquired. Acquired malocclusions can be caused by accidents, early or late loss of baby teeth, or oral habits that are continued over a long period of time.
Patients of almost any age, but mostly children, can benefit from treatment for orthodontic problems. Typically, braces are worn between the ages of 10 and 14; this is the period of development in which the head and mouth are still growing and teeth are more accessible to straightening.
Earlier orthodontic intervention can sometimes prevent the need for full orthodontic treatment. (If you have been advised that your child needs braces, it is very important to discuss the matter carefully with your child. It can be traumatic because of your child's sensitivity to his or her looks.) More and more adults are also wearing braces to correct minor problems and to improve their smiles.
Common Orthodontic Conditions
Here's a look at some of the conditions your child may have that may be alleviated or reversed by orthodontic treatment.
•
Crowded teeth
- Teeth may be aligned poorly because the dental arch is small and/or the teeth are large. The bone and gums over the roots of extremely crowded teeth may become thin and recede as a result of severe crowding.
•
Impacted teeth
- In many cases, wisdom teeth do not grow in properly, have a proper bite relationship, or have healthy gum tissue around them. Often, wisdom teeth improperly erupt and become impacted, requiring them to be extracted, or pulled. Impacted teeth may also be caused by improper biting relationships.
•
Protruding upper teeth
- Thumb and finger sucking habits in young children is often the culprit for protruding upper teeth. The clinical term for this is "overjet," which happens when your child's upper front teeth protrude outward. Because they don't have normal contact with the lower front teeth, protruding front teeth are especially prone to be broken, chipped, or even knocked out. In some cases, overjet may indicate a poor bite of the back teeth, or molars, and more seriously, uneven jaw growth. Children with protruded upper teeth often have a lower jaw that is short in proportion to the upper jaw.
•
Deep overbite
- A deep overbite or "deep bite" is caused by the lower incisor (front) teeth biting too close or into the gum tissue behind the upper teeth. When the lower front teeth bite into the palate or gum tissue behind the upper front teeth, significant bone damage and discomfort can occur. A deep bite can also contribute to excessive wear of the incisor teeth.
•
Underbite
- Underbite, or lower jaw protrusion, usually occurs in a small percentage of children. An underbite is a condition in which the lower jaw is longer than the upper jaw. The lower front teeth protrude, creating a "crossbite." Orthodontic treatment involves monitoring jaw and tooth growth.
•
Open bite
- Open bite is usually the result of the upper and lower incisor teeth failing to make contact when biting down. This causes all the chewing pressure to be placed on the back teeth, making chewing less efficient and may contribute to significant tooth wear.
•
Spacing
- If teeth are missing or small, or the dental arch is very wide, space between the teeth can occur. The most common complaint from those with excessive space is poor appearance.
•
Crossbite
- Crossbite typically occurs when the upper teeth bite inside the lower teeth. This condition can be easily alleviated if caught early.
All About Braces
Orthodontics, best known by its tools of the trade - braces - is a special discipline of dentistry concerned with aligning the teeth and jaws to improve your child's smile and oral health.
Braces today are smaller and less conspicuous - and a bit more sophisticated than the conventional gun-metal wire straps. While they still utilize wire straps, newer appliances are much more comfortable. In fact, traditional metal braces can be replaced by clear braces and braces from behind.
Braces generally come in three varieties:
•
Brackets
, usually made from metal, plastic, or ceramic, are bonded to teeth.
•
Lingual braces
are brackets that attach to the back of teeth, hidden from view.
•
Bands
are the traditional type that covers most of your teeth with metal strips that wrap around the teeth.
• Clear retainer-like appliances
If required, orthodontic evaluations are appropriate for most children beginning around seven years old.
Orthodontia is a multi-stage process. First, pretreatment records are made to make an accurate diagnosis. They include medical/dental history, clinical examination, plaster study models of teeth, photos of your face and teeth, and X-rays of your mouth and head. This information will be used to decide on the best treatment.
A custom treatment plan includes recommendations for a specific treatment appliance, such as braces or space maintainers, which are best suited to correct your child's orthodontic problem.
During the "active treatment" phase, orthodontic appliances are in place. Appliances are adjusted periodically so that the teeth are moved correctly and efficiently. The time required for orthodontic treatment varies from person to person. Two phases of active treatment are sometimes needed for early orthodontic intervention. An important factor in how long your child wears braces is how well he or she cooperates during treatment.
During the post-treatment, or "retention" phase, the child typically wears a retainer so that the teeth stay in their new positions. For severe orthodontic problems, surgery may be necessary.
Cosmetic issues
Today's braces are generally less noticeable than their predecessors. Brackets, the part of the braces that hold the wires, are bonded to the front of the teeth. These brackets can be metal, clear, or tooth-colored. Wires that are used for braces today are also less noticeable. Today's wires are made of "space-age" materials that exert a steady, gentle pressure on the teeth, making the tooth-moving process faster and more comfortable for patients. In some cases, brackets may be put on the back of the teeth.
Patients typically wear braces for about 24 months, although this varies based on the severity of the problem, the health of the teeth, gums, and supporting bone, and how closely the patient follows instructions. Usually, adult treatment takes a little longer.
Comfort issues
During the treatment phase of orthodontia, it is necessary to periodically re-tighten the interconnecting wires. This causes mild pressure on the brackets or bands to shift teeth or jaws gradually into a desired position. Your child's teeth and jaws may feel slightly sore after such a visit, but the discomfort is short-lived.
Hygiene issues
If your child wears braces, avoid some kinds of foods, such as sweets, chips, and pop. Sugary and starchy foods generate acids and plaque that can cause tooth decay and promote gum disease. Cut healthy hard foods like carrots or apples into smaller pieces. And by all means, avoid sticky chewy sweets, such as caramel, which can cause wire damage and loosen brackets. Avoid hard and crunchy snacks such as popcorn, nuts, and hard candy, because these can break braces.
Oral hygiene is extremely important during the treatment phase of orthodontia. Insufficient cleaning while wearing braces can cause enamel staining around brackets or bands. Braces have tiny spaces where food particles and plaque get trapped. Brush carefully after every meal with fluoride toothpaste and a soft-bristled toothbrush. Rinse thoroughly and check your teeth in the mirror to make sure they're clean. Floss between braces and under wires with the help of a floss threader. Have your teeth cleaned every six months to keep your gums and teeth healthy.
Space maintainers
Space maintainers can be very important to your child's long-term oral health. If your child loses a baby tooth early through guidance eruption, decay or injury, his or her other teeth could shift and begin to fill the vacant space. When your child's permanent teeth emerge, there's not enough room for them. The result is crooked or crowded teeth and difficulties with chewing or speaking.
Space maintainers are used to holding the spot left by the lost tooth until the permanent tooth emerges. The space maintainer might be a band or a temporary crown attached to one side of the vacant space. Later, as the permanent tooth emerges, the device is removed.
If you think your child might benefit from orthodontic treatment and want to learn more, call Charlottesville Pediatric Dentistry today at
(434) 975-7336
to schedule an appointment!
