Ways to align children’s teeth
Almost 90% of children have malocclusion. It is much easier and quicker to get their teeth aligned at an early age than it is as an adult. A child is a growing organism, and the position of the teeth can easily be altered. Bone tissue in children is less dense, so it is easier to correct the bite.
It is important to start treatment with an orthodontist at the age of 8-10 years, before the change of the deciduous bite. Timely correction avoids orthodontic problems in the future because nothing should interfere with the growth of permanent teeth.
How to find out if your child’s bite is incorrect, why the teeth grow uneven, and what are the ways of correcting bite and alignment of children’s teeth – read more in our article.
How do you know if your child’s bite is not right?
- The upper jaw is strongly forward
- The lower jaw is forward of the upper jaw
- The jaw does not close tightly
- Overlapping of teeth is visible
- There is an enlarged gap between the teeth
Have you noticed bite problems in your children? Make an appointment with an orthodontist at DMC Tour Dentistry. The sooner you seek help, the more effective the treatment will be.
Causes of malocclusion and malocclusion Tooth positioning
- Early extraction of deciduous teeth
- Heredity factor
- Prolonged sucking of a pacifier
- Thumb sucking
- Prevalence of soft foods in the diet
- ENT diseases affecting nasal breathing
- Gum disease
Pay attention to all these facts. If you, as a parent, notice your child’s bad habits in time, alternately soft and hard foods in his diet, and regularly bring the little patient for preventive check-ups, then the risk of a bad bite will be minimized.
At DMC Tour Dentistry various corrective systems are used to correct bites and align children’s teeth. The orthodontist will select the most appropriate one for your child, depending on the age, clinical situation, and wishes. Remember: there is no such thing as a hopeless case! With the help of modern appliances, we can correct any defect.
Plates – in the period of a milk bite
Removable orthodontic appliances for children consist of a colored plastic base and metal elements in the form of hooks, screws, or springs. The doctor activates and adjusts these guides, moving the teeth in the desired direction. Treatment with plates takes place from the age of 6, the period of active jaw growth.
For children whose baby teeth have been extracted, there are plates with artificial teeth. They hold the place for the permanent tooth (which will not erupt until the time is right), preventing the adjacent teeth from shifting into the empty space.
What orthodontic tasks do the plates do?
- Align the teeth
- Correct the size of the jaw
- Reshape the palate
- Speed up or slow down jaw growth
- Keeps room for a permanent tooth
The braces must be worn every day for 24 hours, removing them only for oral hygiene and eating.
Trainers – during the period of milk and change of bite
Removable silicone mouth guards for two jaws with a mesh for each tooth. Their action is directed to the teeth and maxillofacial muscles. They are a kind of orthodontic trainer that aligns the teeth and corrects the function of the muscles.
Indications for treatment with trainers
- Childhood habits (e.g., thumb sucking)
- Speech-language disorders
- Incorrect swallowing
- Nasal breathing difficulties
- Poor bite
- Undeveloped lower jaw
There are 2 types of trainers for children: the initial soft one (to correct dental anomalies, used for 6-8 months) and the final hard one (for a stronger corrective effect, used for 6-12 months). Trainers must be worn for 2 hours during the day and worn overnight.
Aligners – in the period of alternate and permanent bite
Removable, transparent one-compartment mouth guards for one jaw. Bite correction and teeth alignment in children with aligners begins at age 12. They can be worn for up to 22 hours a day and are usually removed for oral hygiene and mealtimes.
When do aligners help?
- Slight crowding of teeth
- Enlarged spaces between teeth
- Incorrect bite
Aligners are deluxe designs created from individual impressions using 3D technology. Thanks to the transparent material, they are virtually invisible on the teeth.
Several drops are needed for treatment, and each one is designed for two weeks. During this time, it performs the program laid down.
Plates, trainers, and aligners are removable orthodontic appliances. This is a plus because you can take them off when needed and perform oral hygiene and eat comfortably. But there’s another side to it – it’s important to follow the recommendations for the systems exactly. Much of the responsibility falls on the parents. If a positive, stable result is desired, it is necessary to have a conversation with the child (teenager) or think of a playful moment to motivate him or her for the treatment.
Braces – in the period of a changeable and permanent bite
Non-removable orthodontic systems for teenagers that correct the bite and align the teeth even in difficult cases. Braces must be worn around the clock for several months, and visits to the orthodontist for correction, so it is important to prepare the young patient for treatment in advance.
Bracket systems at DMC Tour Dentistry:
Lingual
Hidden from view, braces are absolutely invisible and are installed on the inside of the teeth. For especially shy teenagers, they are a lifesaver.
Ceramic
Braces that blend in with the color of the teeth. They are practically invisible and provide psychological comfort to the wearer.
Self-ligating
Apparatuses of the improved form without ligatures, speed up the treatment on average by six months. With them, visits to the orthodontist are twice as rare.
Metal
Classic braces that effectively cope with any bite defects. They are durable and look neat on the teeth
Retainers
It is important not only to achieve the long-awaited result but also to consolidate it. Therefore, after the main treatment, there is a retention period when special removable appliances (plates, trainers, and aligners) or fixed appliances that are attached to the inside of the teeth must be worn for a certain period of time. All of these appliances fix the results achieved during treatment. Which devices are appropriate and how long you wear them depends on the complexity of the orthodontic problem.
Oral care during bite correction and alignment in children
During orthodontic treatment, especially with braces, it is important to brush your teeth regularly to reduce the risk of tooth decay. But taking care of clean teeth is not only necessary at home but also in the dentist’s chair. The dentist performs professional oral hygiene and effectively removes buildup.
Parents should tell their children about the need for regular care of the braces, and the doctor will teach them how to properly clean their teeth with braces. You should help your child to use additional hygiene aids – special toothbrushes. You should also use an irrigator. Supervise the process of brushing your child’s teeth, so that the new smile will be beautiful and healthy.
Still, have questions? Ask us
What type of bite correction and teeth alignment is right for your children? Come to DMC Tour Dentistry. An orthodontist, after a thorough diagnosis, will select the right method for your young patient.
