Ever wonder why you see so many elementary school children in braces? As a parent do you feel like you are missing something? It is true that the number of young children getting orthodontic treatment has grown significantly over the past decade according to the American Association of Orthodontists. There are only a small number of orthodontic problems where early treatment has been scientifically documented to provide a significant and long lasting benefit. Most orthodontic problems are more efficiently and effectively treated during the teen years, when the patients have most all of their adult teeth. However, there are certain situations where early (Phase I) treatment is highly recommended.
The majority of orthodontic problems that are most effectively treated at a young age are skeletal in nature, involving the jaws. The most prevalent problem is known as crossbite. This is when the child has a narrow upper arch that causes the upper teeth to not line up with the lower teeth properly, which often leads to the child shifting their jaw toward one side. This skeletal crossbite may be due to a genetic predisposition, or it can be caused by a prolonged thumb, finger, or pacifier sucking habit. If left untreated, this type of problem can lead to a permanent asymmetry of the lower jaw as the child continues to grow in the direction of the
shift.
Underbites, where the lower jaw protrudes out in front of the upper jaw and the child is unable to bite with his/her lower teeth behind the upper teeth, should first be addressed in someone 8 or 9 years of age. If left untreated, this can lead to fracture or wear of the edges of the upper and lower front teeth and can cause permanent recession of gum tissues. These cases respond favorably to a brief first Phase of braces on just the upper front, and sometimes lower front, teeth. In severe underbite cases, face mask therapy may be indicated, where traction is applied to the upper jaw bringing it forward. If this treatment is employed in a child with a severe underbite growth pattern, it can often alleviate the need for jaw surgery as an adult.
For parents, the tricky part is figuring out if early treatment for your child is money and time well spent. This is when you need to be able to trust your orthodontist. An orthodontist has an additional 2-3 years of specialized training after dental school to properly evaluate and diagnose any problems with your child’s bite, jaw growth, and dental development. He or she can recommend treatment or no treatment based on the current scientific evidence, but as always, when in doubt, get a second opinion. Early treatment does not necessarily mean that your child will not need a second Phase of orthodontic treatment. It will address the current problems and in most cases will minimize the amount of treatment needed in the future.
Should you have any specific questions, feel free to contact the team at McCorkle & Jones Orthodontics.
