Orthodontics
Orthodontic treatment can be a significant investment in your child's future. As children grow and develop, so do their teeth. As a result, issues with structural development can lead to improper bites or misaligned teeth. We will be able to discuss the benefits of treatment with both you and your child should there be concerns.
What is orthodontics?
Orthodontics is a branch of dentistry aimed at correcting teeth and jaw alignment. Many believe that orthodontics is all about making your teeth straight, and this is one aspect, but it is also a necessary health treatment that can prevent further dental issues, such as gum disease. We use various orthodontics devices and treatments to help the jaw and teeth shift into the correct positioning, allowing for proper function.
Although adults can successfully complete orthodontic treatment, the jaws and teeth of children often respond more favourably to orthodontic treatment. For this reason, we recommend that your child gets braces in their younger years as soon as a dentist deems it necessary.
When should my child receive orthodontic treatment?
If you notice any of the following issues in your child, we recommend a consultation with us since they could be signs that your child may benefit from orthodontics:
- Irregular, early, or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty biting or chewing
- Crowding or extra spacing between teeth
- Teeth and jaws are out of proportion to the rest of the face
- Frequent biting of the cheek or the inside of the mouth
- Teeth that meet abnormally
- Jaws that shift or make sounds
- Protrusion of teeth
What does orthodontics correct?
Orthodontics can help to improve or fix various alignment concerns in children, including:
Misaligned bites:
- Overbite
- Crossbite
- Underbite
- Open bite
Teeth positioning:
- Overcrowding
- Gaps or spacing
- Skew teeth
What are the different types of orthodontic devices?
FIXED APPLIANCES
Fixed appliances, such as braces, are typically made from high-grade stainless steel and are designed to straighten your child's teeth using brackets and custom archwires. The wires are adjusted at regular intervals to help the teeth shift into the correct position, with the treatment lasting for several months to a few years. With braces, you can also add coloured elastics (rubber bands) for a more unique and colourful smile.
REMOVABLE APPLIANCES
A removable appliance is used for minor tooth movements, particularly in younger children who still have baby teeth. Clear aligners, mouthguards and retainers are examples of removable orthodontic appliances. These can also assist in helping to correct a child's bite, such as an overbite due to thumbsucking.
SPACE MAINTAINERS
When your child loses a baby tooth too soon, the permanent tooth can erupt in the wrong position or drift to the wrong area of the gums. If this happens, there isn't enough space for the permanent tooth, hence the need for a space maintainer. A space maintainer is a dental device that leaves enough space open for permanent teeth to grow after baby teeth are lost prematurely.
How much does orthodontic treatment cost?
No two orthodontic treatments are alike, so we need to assess the issues at hand before drafting a treatment plan and quotation. We offer payment plans for this service where an initial portion can be paid over two months, and then the balance can be paid off in monthly instalments over the treatment period. Find out more about our fees here.