The general health of our children is always one of our priorities. And the orodental, and it was not going to be less. For this reason, when we discover that their teeth are affected by some habits, and we ask ourselves if they need orthodontics, we have doubts. We are not sure at what age they should start treatment or what types of orthodontics for children there are.
Within Orthodontics for children, there are three levels of treatment depending on the age and individual needs of each child.
Preventive orthodontics
In the first place, we would have preventive Orthodontics which is usually intended for children between 3 and 6 years of age. This treatment seeks to eliminate harmful habits that could be altering your child’s facial and dental development.
For example, a large number of children continue to suck their thumb or use a pacifier after the age of 2 years. This fact can have repercussions at the maxillofacial, dental, and even language levels, since a deformation of the palate occurs, becoming increasingly convex and deep. This fact also affects the position of the tongue, which cannot be located where it should be. In addition, it also causes dental malocclusion problems, such as open bite.
At this level, the type of breathing that your child presents is analyzed since the effects caused by mouth breathing, very common in children, can also cause deformities of the palate and dental arches.
On the one hand, these treatments at such an early age get children used to go to the dentist, but not only that, because they also get used to having good habits in caring for their mouths and teeth.
Interceptive orthodontics
Secondly, we would have interceptive orthodontics, normally intended for children between 7 and 11 years of age. At this level of orthodontics, brackets can be used as well as jaw expansion appliances, space maintainers or bone growth stimulators designed to direct the growth of the maxillary bones allowing for correct facial and permanent teeth development. Broadly speaking, it would correct crossbite problems, jaw bones that are too prominent or too small, and dental crowding problems.
Orthodontics in permanent teeth
Third, we find braces for children 12 years of age or older. Treatments with brackets are effective as soon as all the permanent teeth are in place and are performed with the aim of correcting rotated teeth, rectifying dental crowding problems, and achieving adequate function. It should be noted that correct dental alignment is essential not only from an aesthetic point of view but also brings many benefits to our health. In bracket treatments for children, metal or aesthetic brackets are used.
If you suspect that your child may need orthodontic treatment, do not hesitate to contact professionals. In this way, if needed, your child can receive the treatment at the best possible time, when it is still in the development phase. In addition, you can help prevent or shorten dental alignment problems.
