About Braces
Children’s Braces
The American Assosiaction of Orthodontists recommends that a child be seen by an orthodontist for the first time at age 6, whether or not an orthodontic problem is obvious to you. After evaluating your child, the orthodontist may simply recommend periodic checkups while the permanent teeth are erupting, and while the jaws and the face continue to grow.
Tracking your child’s growth is a form of preventative dentistry in itself. Although orthodontic treatment may not begin at an early age, an early examination enables the orthodontist to evaluate the problem and determine the appropriate time to treat the child for maximum results.
In some cases, your orthodontist may recommend interceptive treatment, while the jaws are still growing, in order to prevent more serious problems from developing. Early intervention frequently makes the completion of the treatment at a later age easier and less time-consuming.
The most common warning signs that your child may need orthodontic treatment include:
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• Early or late loss of teeth. • Difficulty in chewing or biting. • Mouth breathing. • Finger sucking or other oral habits. • Crowded or misplaced teeth. • Jaws that shift or make sounds. • Upper front teeth that protrude or are “bucked”. • Teeth that meet in an abnormal manner or don’t meet at all. • Facial imbalance. • Grinding or clenching of the teeth. • Excessive spaces between teeth that persist after the top permanent canine teeth appear. |
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After your consultation and/or the yearly tracking of your child’s growth, your orthodontist may determine that:
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• Only an “interceptive phase” of treatment is necessary
• Or, your child is ready for braces • Or, your child needs no orthodontic treatment at all!! |
Phase 1
Patients have previously asked us, in the midst of discussing Phase One orthodontic treatment, if it is acceptable to “wait”. Often times, waiting is merely a matter of supervised neglect. If a significant problem exists in the mouth and has already been identified, it is advisable to address the problem rather than to allow further worsening of an already serious situation. The need for Phase One is usually the results of an unfavorable growth pattern, thereby indicating that whatever has caused the problem in the first place is most likely going to cause it to further worsen over time. Thus, “waiting” is actually “gambling” usually with odds that are very much not in your favor.
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While some patents are concerned about children using removable appliances at young age it is important to note the wonderful cooperation patterns we can get from young children. The key to this cooperation lies in explaining to the young patient the importance of what they are doing. An understanding of how they can help, along with encouragement and support, leads to proud compliance. While these appliances are not at all painful, they must feel a little strange or awkward for the first few days, since something new has been placed in the mouth. Certain appliances, such as Schwartz plates, can be worn all day and all night, with the exception of tooth brushing. Other appliances, such as a Bionator, need to be removed during both eating and brushing. |
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The overall benefits of Phase One treatment are tremendous, while requiring minimal efforts on the part of the patient. Millions of people have already benefited from Phase One orthodontic treatment. We look forward to helping you and your families achieve healthy, beautiful smiles!
Adult’s BracesIt’s never too late for braces. About 1/3 of our patients are adults range in age from 19 to 83! Dr. Kawa provides lingual (behind the teeth) braces for those who do not want their braces to show at all. Call or email us to find out more about lingual braces. Clear braces have also made orthodontic treatment virtually invisible. |
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