Crooked or uneven teeth are a common oral condition suffered by the majority of children. While it may appear to be merely a cosmetic issue, early intervention for crooked teeth is of paramount significance with regard to the dental health, speech, self-esteem, and overall well-being of a child. With recent developments in orthodontics and pediatric dentistry, alignment problems can now be addressed early on before it gets worse, and provide a healthier, more confident smile.
Crooked teeth may be caused by several factors, such as:
Genetics: Children inherit tooth shapes from their parents.
Sucking thumb or pacifier for an extended period: They tend to displace baby teeth.
Loss of primary teeth prematurely or too early during the time nature has defined: The surrounding teeth move into the gaps.
Misfitting jaw: This is when the jaw is either undersized or oversized and lacks sufficient room for all the teeth to erupt as they should.
Mouth breathing: This will affect long-term dental and facial growth.
Early identification of the reason why the teeth have become crooked allows the dental team to create a personalized treatment plan that will prevent future complications.
Early dental check-up, ideally at age 7, allows orthodontists to detect problems with alignment of teeth, growth of the jaw, or contact between upper and lower teeth. Early treatment of crooked teeth has various benefits:
Helps proper jaw development: Interceptive orthodontic treatment directs the development of the jaw to allow enough space for upcoming permanent teeth.
Reduces risk of future tooth extraction or surgery: Early intervention can make future major surgeries unnecessary.
Improves chewing and biting function: A Proper bite frees jaw muscles from pressure and removes the uneven wear of teeth.
Improves facial balance: Alignment produces improved facial esthetics.
Increases one’s self-esteem and confidence: A properly aligned smile and teeth can increase a child’s confidence during their formative years significantly.
Numerous orthodontic procedures to align crooked teeth in little children exist. Some of them are:
1. Space Maintainers
Space maintainers keep the adjacent teeth from moving when a child loses an early baby tooth, until the permanent tooth erupts.
2. Palatal Expanders
Palatal expanders widen the top jaw to correct crossbites and gain extra space for correct teeth alignment.
3. Partial Braces or Phase 1 Braces
Early Braces:
Early Brackets are employed to fix some alignment issues and push teeth into better positions while the child is growing.
4. Habit Appliances
Thumb sucking or tongue thrusting can be treated in some instances with habit-breaking appliances that can alter the behavior and reduce destruction.
5. Clear Aligners for Teens
While more commonly utilized on teens and adults, specifically designed clear aligners can sometimes be utilized for older children to solve minor issues.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child be orthodontically assessed by the age of 7. This is not always a prediction that the child will be treated, but it allows the orthodontist to monitor progress and intervene as needed.
Early treatment for crooked teeth is not just about a pretty smile—it’s about a healthy smile for a lifetime. By seeing an alignment issue when you are a child, parents can avoid more complex treatment as an adult. If you think your child has crooked teeth, see a pediatric dentist or orthodontist today. The earlier, the better.
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