Appliances

A pre-orthodontic appliance is a simple device that helps to correct your kid’s bite, as well as sometimes address other health and dental conditions. There are several different kinds of retainers available, including fixed and removable, all of which are custom-made for your kid. We will recommend the type (or types) that will work best for your kid, and we’ll tell you exactly when and how long they’ll need to be

Appliances can provide beyond straight smiles

Appliances can help many health and dental concerns besides shifting teeth. We’ve had success using various appliances to treat a wide range of conditions.

Tongue thrusting

Tongue thrusting is the placement of the tongue in an incorrect position during swallowing. Appliances can be used to train the tongue to go to the roof of the mouth instead of pushing against the teeth and causing them to move. If not nipped in the bud, the tongue thrusting habit will continue to push the teeth out of alignment and compromise the results of any orthodontic work.

Misaligned bite (malocclusion)

Correcting a bite out of alignment can sometimes be achieved without the need for braces, depending on the severity of the misalignment. In these cases, a fixed or a removable appliance can be used to prevent teeth from shifting over time, which helps correct the kid’s bite and straighten their teeth.

Teeth grinding (bruxism)

Aside from dental issues, including misalignment and worn-down tooth enamel, teeth grinding can also cause jaw problems, ear pain and headaches. Various appliances can help by preventing your kid’s mouth from closing completely at night, stopping them from grinding their teeth.

Snoring and mouth breathing at night

For some kids, oral appliances can help their breathing and alleviate certain sleep-related complications. Any efforts to correct a kid’s breathing habits can pay great dividends in their overall health. It could likewise head off possible bite problems that can be both extensive and costly to treat in the future.

Thumb sucking

Persistent thumb or finger sucking can cause significant tooth misalignment or jaw deformation, including crossbite. Using an oral appliance will usually stop the habit, largely because the retainer changes the feeling of having the finger or thumb in the mouth, reducing the satisfaction.

If you would like more information on how an appliance might be of benefit to your kid, please contact us or schedule an appointment for a consultation.