Our comprehensive approach to kids orthodontics helps identify and address problems early, resulting in a simpler and less complex (if any) treatment when they are teens or young adults. We believe that orthodontics should not be isolated to just straightening teeth, but a more consious approach to improve overall appearance of the smile, the face and overall health.
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Why Start Young
We think it is important to treat orthodontics as part of the bigger picture, which is why our dentists are trained to assess jaw growth well before the adult teeth all come through. Habits such as thumb sucking and chronic mouth breathing can influence how the jaws and teeth develop, often causing permanent changes in the shape and size of the jaws. With interceptive orthodontics, our dentists can use a wide variety of treatments to guide your child’s teeth and jaw into the right place. It’s like catching problems early, so they don’t become bigger and more complicated to fix later.
Treatments Focused on Creating More Space
Recent research has shown that the shape and size of the upper jaw and palate play a major role in affecting how well we can breathe through out noses. As you can imagine, difficulty with nasal breathing can have many health consequences, not just for the teeth. That is why we screen every patient for risk factors and believe in creating more space by expanding where necessary, instead of constricting the teeth to a small jaw.
Everything Tailored to Your Child
Even though our dentists understand what is optimal for the growth and development of a child’s teeth and jaws, we are also mindful that early orthodontic treatment is not always practical and tolerable. A balance between the benefits and the risk of overloading our young patients is considered and advice is always tailored to each individual child.
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Why Choose Chomp Dental for Kids Interceptive Orthodontics
Narrow jaws associated with airway and nasal breathing problems
A narrow top jaw may lead to restricted nasal breathing. Treatment is with a jaw expander.
Dental Crossbites
Commonly causes a functional shift of the jaw causing them to grow crooked.
Severe dental crowding
A lack of space for the growing adult teeth can cause them to be impacted.
Severe Overbites and Underbites
Many of these problems have psychological consequenses and can be corrected early.
Interceptive Orthodontic Treatments
The Typical Kids Interceptive Orthodontic Plan
Usually treatment starts around 7-9 years old and involves one or a few of the following treatments
Upper Jaw (Maxillary) Expanders
We only use custom-designed expanders that are effective in widening narrow upper jaws. These can be either glued in or removable depending on what suits your child’s needs. Typically this takes 6-9 months.
Partial Braces (also known as D-gainer or 2×4 treatment)
For when there is severe crowding or space loss resulting from underdeveloped jaws or early removal of baby teeth. These are situations where adult teeth may get stuck and impacted if left untreated. Braces are placed on the front 4 teeth and a couple of the back molars to straighten them and widen the jaws. This treatment takes around 9 months and can be done at the same time as a jaw expander.
Lower Jaw Advancement
Where there is a severe overbite (or overjet as we know it), we may decide to correct it early using an appliance that brings the lower jaw forward in line with the top jaw. This can be fixed or removable and usually takes 9-12 months.
Airway Assessment and Collaboration With Other Health Professionals
Sometimes we may need to team up with Ear Nose and Throat Specialists or myofunctional therapists to achieve the best results. Our specially trained dentists will compete a thorough assessment and refer accordingly if needed.
Space Maintainer
If a baby tooth is lost early before it becomes loose naturally, the new adult tooth may take years to grow out, causing the neighbouring teeth to tip in and take the space. That is why it is important to consider a space maintainer appliance to hold and maintain the space in the meantime.
Reverse Pull Headgear
Reserved only for severe underbite situations where there is no other choice. Don’t worry, we only expect it to be worn at home and during sleep.
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Frequently Asked Questions
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