When kids have poor alignment, this could lead to complications like cavities and gingivitis, and even issues with airway obstruction. To help protect little smiles, we can correct misalignment and guide the growth of the smile. In today’s blog, your Fort Worth, TX, orthodontist talks about our phased approach to children’s orthodontics.
When Kids Need Treatment
We recommend an appointment for kids as young as age seven once the first signs of dental misalignment have developed. Children’s smiles could develop misalignment due to factors such as premature loss of baby teeth, injury, complications with the growth of the jaw and key oral structures, or even thumb sucking or tongue thrusting on childhood. Our phased approach means we help prevent major misalignment and gently guide the smile with orthodontic treatment, so they can have their smile completely straighten with ease in their teen years, and greet adulthood with perfect smiles!
The Phased Approach
We begin by carefully and thoroughly examining the smile with advanced digital imaging systems, so we can assess the cause and extent of the misalignment, and the dangers posed by lack of treatment. We then choose custom-made options to help guide the smile. For some, this could include fixed or removable retainers, which are worn during the day and night and help shift the teeth and guide the smile’s growth. If a tooth is lost prematurely, we don’t want the teeth shift and complicate how the permanent teeth drive. To keep the space open, we could use fixed or removable teeth spacers, which allow the permanent teeth to arrive without complication. These will be custom-fitted to ensure a comfortable treatment experience.
Continuing Treatment
The second phase will begin once your children enter their teen years. We need to wait for all permanent teeth to erupt, and for the outer enamel to properly calcify. Once this happens, we can choose braces or possibly even Invisalign® aligners to finish the job and give your kids even and beautiful smiles. To shorten the treatment time, we could discuss Propel® Accelerated Orthodontics, and to make braces less visible we may use ceramic for the brackets instead of metal.
If you have any questions about how we treat little smiles, then contact our team today to schedule a consultation. Let’s help your children obtain the stunning smiles they deserve!
DO YOU HAVE QUESTIONS ABOUT PHASED ORTHODONTICS?
We would like to help kids and teens obtain a healthier smile with better alignment. If you have any questions about our approach to children’s orthodontics, or if you would like to schedule an appointment soon, please call Lake Country Orthodontics in Fort Worth, TX at (817) 236-7846. Our office proudly serves patients who live in White Settlement, North Fort Worth, Springtown, and all surrounding communities.
