Orthodontics for children

When to consult

There are  generally 4 major categories of orthodontic treatmens that are done at different ages:

• The interceptive treatment (7-10 years)
• The interceptive treatment followed by a second treatment phase (7-10 years then a second phase after 11 years)
• The full treatment (In a single step after 11 years)
• Orthodontics for Adults with or without surgery.
• A recent distinction can be made nowadays with the so-called invisible ( Lingual and Invisalign ) treatments, as opposed to conventional treatments with visible metal braces.

What treatment at what age?
The choice of the age of onset of treatment is very important. Dr Benguira chosees according to the specific needs of each patient in order to achieve the most effective treatment possible, at a time when the patient will most likely stay motivated.

There are typically two times when the need to intervene arises:
1. At 7-9 years : One can intervene to redirect the growth direction, and the correction can be stabilized by permanent teeth.
2. To 11-12 years : It has 3 key elements for the treatment to be complete:  all permanent teeth are present, there is still growth and the patient is generally cooperative.

When to start treatment?

very young children,aged 3-6
 normally have only baby teeth. A correction performed at such a young age would probably not remain stable remains stable.

Among the common problems detected by the practitioner and  identified by parents , thumb sucking that persists beyond kindergarten is a common cause of first consultation.

Visibly, the teeth are a bad position (pushed forward and out) and the jaw deforms, a less visible effect of  thumb sucking is  dysfunction of the language. The tongue adopts an incorrect position at rest and during swallowing. This incorrect position worsens the dental deformation caused by the thumb sucking habit.

Thumb sucking comforts the child , It is difficult to stop. When the practitioner considers that the child has sufficient age and mental maturity, a consultation will be organized to bring the child to  stop the thumb habit voluntarily.
Too early intervention can lead to failure and be psychologically disturbing ,while too late intervention will encourage the installation of the deforming habit.
When the child  decides to abandon the  thumb sucking, wearing a simple devicethat is well tolerated corrects in 12 months the deformations of the jaw while limiting malposition of teeth.
If subsequently the child not replace his tongue in a good position, a few  sessions with a speech therapist can be prescribed.