Pre-Orthodontics for Children

Are you considering pre-orthodontics for your child? Taking your child to see a dentist early may help identify concerns and support healthy development.

You already know the importance of taking your child to the dentist and teaching them good brushing and flossing habits early on. But you may not know that early visits to review the development of a child’s mouth and jaw can also be helpful to their health.

Pre-orthodontic treatment aims to address bite-related problems (malocclusions) as well as support the jaw’s growth pattern.

Problems like overbites, underbites, jaw and tooth size, extra or missing teeth, and improper jaw growth can lead to dental problems. Oral habits like thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing can also contribute to health concerns.

Pre-orthodontics may help address poor oral habits and provide options for problems that might otherwise require monitoring. Pre-orthodontics focuses on more than appearance – it aims to support a healthier outcome for your child. Results vary between patients.

To learn more about how a pre-orthodontic assessment might benefit your kid, arrange a complimentary consultation by contacting the KIDS Mackay team.

Addressing your child’s dental concerns when they’re younger may reduce the amount of time they spend in dental treatment later. However, the appropriate timing depends on each child’s individual needs.

We recommend that every child has an evaluation at around the age of 7 while their jaw is still growing. This allows us to evaluate your child’s existing and incoming teeth and determine whether early treatment might be beneficial. At this early age, pre-orthodontic treatment may not be necessary, but examination can help identify an appropriate time to begin treatment for children who may need it.

Regular visits to the dentist will enable you to keep track of your child’s jaw and facial development. Once your child reaches seven years of age – whether or not they show signs of needing pre-orthodontic care – you should schedule an appointment with us. We can then discuss with you the treatment options and timing if treatment is recommended.

In the meantime, here are some signs to watch out for:

  • Early or delayed loss of baby teeth
  • Difficulty chewing and/or biting
  • Mouth breathing
  • Thumb sucking after age five
  • Speech difficulties
  • Protruding teeth
  • Shifting of the jaw when your child opens or closes their mouth (crossbite)
  • Crowded front teeth around age seven

Early detection and assessment of your child’s orthodontic concerns may help identify appropriate treatment options.

When treatment is provided at an appropriate time, pre-orthodontic treatment may offer outcomes that could be more difficult to achieve at an older age. However, individual results vary, and some children may still require additional treatment as they grow.

Early treatment may provide the opportunity to:

  • Support jaw growth and guide permanent teeth positioning
  • Address protruding front teeth
  • Address oral habits
  • Support facial development

By addressing the underlying causes of jaw development concerns, rather than waiting to mechanically straighten teeth with braces, Dr Hany Aziz (DEN0000989492), Registered Dentist, and the team can focus on providing early pre-orthodontic treatment. Here are some of the treatments we may recommend:

Myobrace: Myobrace therapy is used to help address underlying functional concerns that may contribute to crooked teeth and bite issues. In addition to supporting tooth alignment, this approach may also support airway function and positioning of the jaw, tongue, and soft tissue surrounding the mouth. Results vary between patients.

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Aligners: An orthodontic aligner treatment is a series of devices (similar to retainers) that may help address your child’s dental alignment.

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Appliances: Various appliances (fixed or removable) may be used for expanding the width and length of the jaws to accommodate the development of your child’s teeth, support their bite, and address habits. Expansion appliances may also help open up the nasal passages, which may support breathing and sleep for some patients.

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Orofacial Myology: Underdevelopment of the jaw, a narrow palate, and issues with tooth alignment may be related to muscle behaviour. By working with children early on, we may be able to support healthy development. Results vary between patients.

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Any surgical or invasive procedure carries risks. Before proceeding, you should seek a second opinion from an appropriately qualified health practitioner.