What is pediatric orthodontics?
Pediatric orthodontics is what allows children’s dentists, dentist-pediatricians, to diagnose early. Seeing a child before the age of three makes it possible to know if their problem should be addressed at that time or later, never miss the most opportune time to start that treatment.
What indicates the need for orthodontics in children?
There are two very important signs that always require early treatment. The first sign is crossbite, when the top and bottom of the mouth do not agree with each other. This creates asymmetries, which if not addressed early, are very difficult to treat when the patient is an adolescent. It is also very important to ask the parents how they have their mouth because there are many things that have to do with growth that are inherited.
Being able to see the children early and being able to meet the parents allows some treatments to be started early and, with the help of growth, be easier to deal with in the long term.
When should children’s orthodontic treatment begin and how long does it last?
It should be started on the basis of a good diagnosis. The most important thing is to individualize the cases, a child will never start treatment at the same time as another. It is necessary to see them in time to find the most correct and opportune moment to tackle it.
Treatment lasts between six months and a year and a half, although it depends on each case. A first visit to pediatric dentistry or a pediatric orthodontist is necessary. This first visit must be made when the temporary dentition is contemplated, from the age of three to four years the patient is seen and the treatment is individualized.
What are the benefits of early orthodontic treatment?
Above all, to prevent later and very complex orthodontic treatment. There are things that if treated early make growth symmetrical and natural. These early treatments are focused on bone treatment: to unblock a palate, to favor the growth of a mandible or maxilla… When the bones are in order, it is very easy to place the teeth in their places later on.
How many phases are there in a child orthodontic treatment?
One or two. In patients who have a crossbite, only one phase to prevent future asymmetries: a maxillary widening appliance is placed and the treatment lasts approximately eight months.
Then there are patients who need two phases of treatment, with them we work on growth. They need an appliance that helps them to grow correctly and when the bone is correctly positioned, we place fixed appliances, better known as brackets, to align the teeth and leave them in a good position.