Advantages of early treatment :

Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, the orthodontist will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.

Early treatment may give your orthodontist the chance to :

• Guide jaw growth
• Lower the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
• Correct harmful oral habits
• Improve appearance
• Guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position
• Create a more pleasing arrangement of teeth, lips and face

Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy and beautiful smile.

If your child is older than 7, it’s certainly not too late for a check-up. Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, the orthodontist’s goal is to provide each patient the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.

EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT PROCEDURES ALSO INCLUDES

I. Preventive orthodontics procedures-

1. Parent education with prenatal and post natal counselling
2. Predental care
3. Oral hygiene and care of deciduous teeth
4. Caries control and restoration of decayed teeth
5. Monitoring of primary dentition to mixed dentition and smooth transformation into permanent dentition.
6. Occlusal equilibration
7. Extraction of supernumerary and over retained deciduous teeth
8. Management of ankylosed tooth
9. Management of deeply locked first permanent molar due to mucosal or bone barriers
10. Management of abnormal frenal attachments like tongue tie
11. Disking of primary tooth
12. Mouth guards & protectors during contact sports
13. Space maintainers

A space maintainer is a removable or fixed appliance designed to maintain an existing space after early loss of baby teeth. Space maintainers are usually fitted in children when they have lost baby teeth early. The gap left from losing this tooth needs to be held open for the permanent tooth to erupt in the correct position.

II.Interceptive orthodontic procedures-

1. Oral Habit breaking therapy

Some of the common oral habits found in childrens are- thumb sucking habit, lip biting habit , nail biting habit, mouth breathing habit, tongue thrusting, digit sucking etc. There treatment varies according to the duration , intensity and frequency of the habit.

A) Psychological approach for breaking oral habits: It is generally said that children lacking parental care, love and affection resort to this habit. Thus the parents should provide the child with adequate love and affection. Also the child’s attention should be diverted to other things such as games and toys. The dentist and the parents should together work to motivate the child to discontinue the habit.

B) Mechanical Aids for breaking oral habits: They are basically reminding appliances that assist the child who is willing to quit the habit but is not able to do so as the habit has entered the subconscious level. They may be removable or fixed appliances.

2. Serial extractions or guided extraction
3. Space regaining methods after early loss of milk teeth
4. Interception of developing crossbite
5. Control of abnormal habits
6. Interception of developing skeletal malocclusion
7. Removal of soft tissue or hard tissue barrier for unimpeded eruption of teeth
8. Muscle exercises or oral physiotherapy

Are there any signs I should look for that would indicate my child should visit an Orthodontist?

Here are a few things to look for:
• Early or late loss of baby teeth
• A hard time chewing or biting food
• Mouth breathing
• Finger or thumb sucking
• Crowded, misplaced, or blocked teeth
• Jaws that pop or make sounds when opening and closing
• Teeth that come together abnormally, or do not come together at all
• Jaws and teeth that are not proportionate to the rest of the face
• Crowded front teeth around age seven or eight

What's the best age to visit the orthodontist ?

If you want to improve the look and feel of your smile, then any age can be a great age to see the orthodontist. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children first visit an orthodontist around the age of 7; however, orthodontic treatment is not exclusive to children and teens, with about one in every five orthodontic patients being over the age of 21. Whether you're considering treatment for yourself or for a child, any time is a good time to visit the orthodontist.

How Orthodontic Treatment Works ?

Orthodontic appliances can be made of metal, ceramic, or plastic. They may be removable or they may be brackets bonded to the teeth. By placing a constant, gentle force in a carefully controlled direction, braces slowly move teeth to a corrected position. This is a great time to wear braces! Gone are the days when a metal band with a bracket was placed around each tooth. Wires are also less noticeable than they used to be, and the latest materials move teeth faster with less discomfort to patients.

Thumb-sucking

Along with favorite blankets, teddy bears, and nap time, thumb-sucking can be one of the most comforting aspects of childhood. According to a recent report, between 75% and 95% of infants suck their thumbs. Chances are there's a thumb-sucker (or a former thumb-sucker) in your family. Is this cause for worry?

In most cases, the answer is no. However, it's important to pay attention to your child's habits in case his behavior has the potential to affect his oral health.

What is normal thumb-sucking behavior?

Most children begin sucking their thumb or finger from a very young age; many even start inside the womb. Sucking is a natural reflex for an infant and it serves an important purpose. Sucking often provides a sense of security and contentment for a young one. It can also be relaxing which is why many children suck their thumbs as they fall asleep.

According to the American Dental Association, most children stop thumb-sucking on their own between the ages of two and four. They simply grow out of a habit that is no longer useful to them. Studies show that the older a child gets, the lower his chances of continuing to suck his thumb. However, some children continue sucking beyond the preschool years. If your child is still sucking when his permanent teeth start to erupt, it may be time to take action to help them to break the habit.

What signs should I watch for thumb sucking?

First, take note of how your child sucks his thumb. If he sucks passively with his thumb gently resting inside his mouth, he is less likely to cause damage. If on the other hand, he is an aggressive thumb-sucker, placing pressure on his mouth or teeth, the habit may cause problems with tooth alignment and proper mouth growth. Extended sucking affects both the teeth and the shape of the face and may lead to a need for orthodontic treatment in the future.

If at any time you suspect your child's thumb-sucking may be affecting his oral health, please give us a call or bring him in for a visit. We can help you assess the situation.

How can I help my child quit thumb-sucking?

Should you need to help your child end his habit, follow these guidelines:
1. Always be supportive and positive. Instead of punishing your child for thumb-sucking, give praise when is not engaged in sucking his thumb.
2. Put a bandage on his thumb or a sock over his hand at night. Let him know that this is not a punishment; it is just a way to help him remember to avoid sucking.
3. Start a progress chart and let him put a sticker up every day that he doesn't suck his thumb. If he makes it through a week without sucking, he gets to choose a prize (trip to the zoo, new set of blocks, etc.) When he has filled up a whole month, reward him with something great (a ball glove or new Before/After game); by then the habit should be over. Making your child an active participant in his treatment will increase his willingness to break the habit.
4. If you notice your child sucking when he's anxious, work on alleviating his anxiety rather than focusing on the thumb-sucking.
5. Take note of the times your child tends to suck (long car rides, while watching movies) and create diversions during these occasions.
6. Explain clearly what might happen to his teeth if he keeps sucking his thumb. Whatever your method, always remember that your child needs your support and understanding during the process of breaking the thumb-sucking habit.

What is Two-Phase Treatment?

What is the advantage of two-phase orthodontic treatment?

Two-phase orthodontic treatment is a specialized process combining tooth straightening and physical facial changes. The purpose of two-phase treatment is to maximize the opportunity to accomplish the ideal healthy, functional, aesthetic result that will remain stable throughout your life.

What if I put off treatment?

Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your smile. Early treatment is most effective for achieving lasting results.

Phase — One

Your foundation for a lifetime of beautiful smiles

The goal of Phase-One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age and can be corrected with orthodontic appliances. If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can avoid the need to extract permanent teeth later.

• Planning now can save your smile later

Children benefit tremendously from early phase treatment. Receiving early treatment may prevent the removal of permanent teeth later in life, or the need for surgical procedures to realign the jaws.

• Making records to determine your unique treatment

Orthodontic records will be necessary to determine the type of appliances to be used, the duration of treatment time, and the frequency of visits. Records consist of models of the teeth, x-rays, and photographs. During your child's initial consultation, your doctor will take records to determine if early treatment is necessary.

Fixed Orthodontics Treatment

IntraOral Photos