Children-Teenagers Orthodontic Therapy
Orthodontic treatment for children or teenagers is one of the primary and most common treatments offered by our practice. This is because more and more parents choose to help their children at the earliest opportunity, as soon as they notice some misalignment in their teeth. Also, children nowadays start an orthodontic treatment more easily, because they are usually not prevented as much by social and aesthetic factors, as was the case in the past.
Orthodontic treatment for children or teenagers is one of the primary and most common treatments offered by our practice. This is because more and more parents choose to help their children at the earliest opportunity, as soon as they notice some misalignment in their teeth. Also, children nowadays start an orthodontic treatment more easily, because they are usually not prevented as much by social and aesthetic factors as was the case in the past.
According to the American Orthodontic Association, an initial orthodontic examination should be conducted until the age of seven or seven and a half. At this age the child already has the permanent teeth that the orthodontist needs to evaluate occlusion. At the same time, the growth of the child is still in progress, so there is enough time to correct any problems through treatment.
On average, orthodontic treatment for children or teenagers lasts 18-24 months.
The orthodontic treatment for children/teenagers includes:
Fixed appliances: metal orthodontic braces
This is the most common form of an orthodontic appliance. Metal orthodontic braces are used in various therapies and are familiar to most of us. They are made of titanium and stainless steel. They consist of many small brackets that are placed onto the teeth and apply gentle, constant pressure until the teeth are moved to the correct position. The brackets are joined together with an orthodontic wire and special metal or elastic ligatures.
The main advantages of metal braces, apart from their recognizability, are their great effectiveness and durability, as well as the fact that they leave a lot of room for control of the clinical result. Moreover, today’s braces are smaller than ever, reducing the aesthetic burden on the child’s face as much as possible and facilitating the daily functionality of the mouth. As a result, the patient does not feel that his/her habits are forcibly changing. Actually, we can choose different colors for the ligatures, in order to make the braces more attractive and “playful” for children.
Fixed appliances: ceramic orthodontic braces
Ceramic orthodontic braces offer all the advantages of metal ones, but with a significantly more discreet look. They are made of porcelain, aluminum or zirconium, materials that match the color of the teeth and do not stand out, thus being almost invisible. This offers significantly improved aesthetics during the treatment, which is very important for the self-image of children, especially teenagers.
The way braces are placed and removed from the teeth is the same for metal and ceramic ones.
Removable appliances
In children’s orthodontics we also use removable appliances. These devices can cause expansion of the palatal and the upper dental arch (where necessary) or have a musculoskeletal effect. In the latter case they are called functional appliances. Usually this treatment is applied early and at a younger age, when there is a transition from primary to permanent dentition. Its role is highly preventive, since, if done in the right way and at the right time, it may prevent the appearance or worsening of some orthodontic problems before adolescence.
These removable appliances are also available in a wide range of colors and designs, so that the child can choose the ones that suit him/her best.
Also, in some cases, at the discretion of the orthodontist, these appliances may be fixed, that is, not enter or exit the mouth. In other cases even extra-oral mechanisms may be used.
Orthodontics for children: advantages
A complete orthodontic treatment for children offers many benefits to their good health and appearance. More specifically:
- Both the frontal and buccal teeth are in the right position, allowing good speech, chewing, swallowing and breathing.
- The occlusion, i.e. the contact of the upper and lower teeth when the mouth is closed, is the proper one.
- The probability of tooth extractions in the future is lowered.
- The child’s face is more symmetrical, giving him/her increased social confidence, something very important, especially in adolescence.
- Children adapt more easily to therapy, so they are more likely to complete it at the right time and with the best possible results.
- At a young age it is possible to deal with any skeletal problems that concern the structure of the face, since its formation has not been completed yet.
Of course, in mild cases and at younger ages we can consider some preventive orthodontic treatment as a solution before using fixed appliances in the mouth.
