Growing Smile Detest can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. While your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, there could be a problem with facial growth and development or tooth eruption that isn’t obvious to the untrained eye. A check-up may reveal that your child’s bite is fine. Or may identify a developing problem but recommend monitoring the child’s growth and development, and then, if indicated, begin treatment at the appropriate time for the child. In other cases, the orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment. The best time for an Orthodontic Check-up is around age 7 or when the permanent top front teeth are emerging.
Early treatment may prevent or intercept more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later age shorter and less complicated. In some cases, Growing Smile Detest will be able to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have finished growing.
Through an early orthodontic evaluation, you’ll be giving your child the best opportunity for a healthy, beautiful smile. If your child is older than 7, it’s certainly not too late for a check-up. Because patients differ in both physiological development and treatment needs, Growing Smile Detest’s goal is to provide each patient with the most appropriate treatment at the most appropriate time.
What is a Lingual Arch?
A lingual arch is a fixed appliance that attaches to the lower permanent molars and rests passively along the inside (lingual) of the lower front teeth.
What does it do?
A lingual arch is used up to a year before braces to help fit all the permanent teeth in the lower jaw. It is the lower teeth that most often determine whether extractions are needed during orthodontics. A lingual arch does not prevent braces later, but it most often allows us to correct the crooked teeth (using braces) without having to extract permanent teeth.
A lingual arch also maintains space for prematurely lost baby teeth. This prevents the remaining teeth from drifting into undesirable positions that may block the eruption of permanent teeth.
How does it work?
The baby teeth in the back are much bigger than the permanent teeth that take their place.
Normally, when the baby teeth are lost the permanent molars drift forward into the extra space and the front teeth stay crooked. By placing a lingual arch, the permanent molars cannot drift forward and, instead, the crooked front teeth drift back into the extra space thereby “self-correcting”.
What is a Palate Expander?
It is an orthodontic appliance that is cemented to the upper molars and expands the palate. It consists of orthodontic bands rigidly connected to a midline jack-screw that, when turned with a special key, expands 1/4 of a millimeter per turn. We give you the key, show you how to turn it, and then you turn it at home one time each day until the desired expansion is achieved.
Why is it used?
The palate expander is, without a doubt, the most versatile and reproducible appliance used in clinical orthodontics today. It is primarily used to correct a crossbite of the back teeth but is also used to make room for crowded teeth, broaden the smile, and improve the profile by allowing the jaws to fit together in conjunction with other treatment. Lastly, palate expansion can also aid in the eruption of impacted canines and other permanent teeth.
How does it work?
In growing children the two palatal shelves meet in the middle but are not connected, and as the palate expander is turned, the two shelves move apart creating a void between them. Since the two front teeth are on different sides of the palate, the two front teeth usually spread apart as well (See Above). Turning the key usually takes only 2-4 weeks, but the expander needs to stay in for an additional 4-6 months to allow the bone to grow and fill the void that was created. The gap between the two front teeth tends to self-correct during this time.
Does it hurt?
No! But it does feel somewhat bulky at first and requires a brief period of adjustment. Turning the key never results in pain; instead, most patients describe a mild pressure in the roof of their mouth (or nose!) and will often feel some pressure on the teeth to which the expander is cemented. Initially, talking and eating are different but within a few days are back to normal.
We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. Growing Smiles is a pediatric dentist in Anna, Richardson, Plano, Garland, Murphy we have Pediatric Services in Texas: Early Childhood Care, Preventive Care, General Treatments, Sedation Dentistry, Special Needs Dentistry, Emergency Service and Orthodontic (Braces & Invisalign) For more information call us to answer all of your questions.
When should your child first see a dentist? You can take your child at a younger age, but experts recommend taking him or her within 6 months of the first tooth coming in (erupting), or by about 12 months at the latest.
At this time, the dentist can give you information on:
If possible, schedule morning appointments so young children are alert and fresh.
Prepare a preschooler or older child for the visit by giving him or her a general idea of what to expect. Explain why it is important to go to the dentist. Build excitement and understanding.
Discuss your questions and concerns with the dentist. Remember that your feeling toward dental visits can be quite different from your child’s. Be honest with your view of the dentist. If you have dental anxieties, be careful not to relate those fears or dislikes to your child. Parents need to give moral support by staying calm while in the dental exam room. Children can pick up parents’ anxieties and become anxious themselves.
At the first visit, give the dentist your child’s complete health history. For a restoration visit, such as getting a cavity filled, tell the dentist if your child tends to be stubborn, defiant, anxious, or fearful in other situations.
Watch how your child reacts. Many parents can guess how their child will respond and should tell the dentist. Certain behaviors may be linked to your child’s age:
Your child’s first dental visit is to help your child feel comfortable with the dentist. The first dental visit is recommended by 12 months of age, or within 6 months of the first tooth coming in. The first visit often lasts 30 to 45 minutes. Depending on your child’s age, the visit may include a full exam of the teeth, jaws, bite, gums, and oral tissues to check growth and development. If needed, your child may also have a gentle cleaning. This includes polishing teeth and removing any plaque, tartar, and stains. The dentist may show you and your child proper home cleaning such as flossing, and advise you on the need for fluoride. Baby teeth fall out, so X-rays aren’t often done. But your child’s dentist may recommend X-rays to diagnose decay, depending on your child’s age. X-rays are also used to see if the root of a jammed baby tooth may be affecting an adult tooth. In general, it is best that young children not have dental X-rays unless needed.
Just like adults, children should see the dentist every 6 months. Some dentists may schedule visits more often, such as every 3 months. This can build comfort and confidence in the child. More frequent visits can also help keep an eye on a development problem.
Here are some tips to protect your children’s teeth:
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We love our patients and love to help them form healthy dental life that will last them a lifetime. For more information call us today to answer all of your questions so get an appointment.