Orthodontics is above all a preventive field of medicine. Over the last few decades, orthodontists have gotten much better at treating orthodontic problems after they’ve developed, but the field’s main focus is the diagnosis and treatment of malocclusions before they develop into significant problems. For this reason, children have traditionally been the primary recipients of orthodontic treatments. Kids’ teeth and jaws are still developing, and orthodontists can work to use a child’s growth as a driving force to help push the jaw into proper alignment.
Whenever you’re ready to begin discussing these issues with an orthodontist, Edmonton has many great practitioners who can talk you through orthodontic procedures. And if you don’t know an orthodontist, Edmonton has resources for finding one. For example, you can ask your dentist for a referral, or you can check the Orthodontist Edmonton section of the website for the Canadian Association of Orthodontics.
If you or your child has an orthodontic issue that needs treatment, these are some of the options that may come up.
Braces: Braces are the most common form of orthodontic treatment. They use metal connectors to hold the teeth in place and help the jaw to grow into a healthy and normal alignment. Braces treatments vary greatly in price and length, and they’re often thought of as the last resort for serious orthodontic issues. Your orthodontist Edmonton will be able to fill you in on the specifics.
Retainers: Retainers are essentially a milder form of braces. Unlike braces, they don’t stay in the mouth at all times. Rather, they are usually used only when the individual is sleeping. They apply gradual force to the teeth and jaw with the purpose of encouraging a better alignment.
Dental headgear: Like braces and retainers, dental headgear harnesses the force of the child’s natural growth to pressure the jaw into a new alignment. Most types of headgear have implements that attach to the forehead and jaw, with another element that is inserted in the mouth. Like retainers, they’re usually used only at night. Some types of headgear can be worn at other times, but these are generally detrimental to the child, particularly with regard to school and exercise.
Cross-bite appliances: Crossbite is what happens when the upper back teeth fit inside the lower ones. This generally causes chewing problems and thus should be corrected as early as possible. Your orthodontist Edmonton should be able to rig up a personalized device that can help spread the upper arch of the jaw, which will force the teeth into a normal alignment.
Space maintainers: When a child loses baby teeth, it can sometimes take months for the permanent teeth to begin to grow in. In some cases, crowding elsewhere in the jaw may cause existing permanent teeth to begin drifting over into that space. To prevent this from happening, your orthodontist Edmonton can place a temporary appliance in that space to make sure that the surrounding teeth stay in their proper spots.
Thumb sucking preventers: Finger and thumb sucking are among the most common causes for malocclusions in children. If you just can’t seem to get your child to break this habit, talk to your orthodontist about possible solutions. It may be possible to implant an in-mouth device to get your child to break this habit for good.
