Crossbite
It is important not to overlook the value of treatment for children who suffer from bullying or poor self esteem as a result of the appearance of their teeth. Although esthetics is often not a primary concern during the first phase of treatment, it is important to let Dr. Sarpotdar or Dr. Sun know if your child’s dental appearance is causing them emotional trauma. Often they can customize a solution that can greatly improve your child’s dental appearance. Putting off treatment can result in a need for more invasive treatment later in life that may not completely fix your child’s smile. In certain conditions children may require surgery later in life to correct problems that may be prevented with early treatment. Early treatment is most effective for achieving lasting results. The goal of Phase One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop (conditions like those listed above are often caused by inadequate development of one or both jaws). An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized at an early age. If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can prevent the need to extract permanent teeth later. In this phase, the remaining permanent teeth are left alone as they erupt. Retaining devices may not be recommended if they would interfere with eruption. It is best to allow the existing permanent teeth some freedom of movement. A successful first phase will have created room for permanent teeth to find an eruption path. Otherwise, they may become impacted or severely displaced. The goal of the second phase is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase Two usually involves full upper and lower braces. At the beginning of the first phase, orthodontic records were made and a diagnosis and treatment plan was established. Certain types of appliances were used in the first phase to correct and realign the teeth and jaw. The second phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted, and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure your child retains his or her beautiful smile. Different orthodontic issues in children warrant different types of treatment and different times. Contact Icon Orthodontics to schedule a complimentary consultation with Dr. Sarpotdar and Dr. Sun. They will determine if it is an appropriate time to start treating your child.Impacted Teeth
Thumb Sucking or Other Oral Habits
Poor Self Esteem
What if treatment is put off?
Phase One
Resting Period
Phase Two