Two Phase Treatment

Early Orthodontic Care

It is never too soon to monitor a child's oral development and orthodontic health. To promote early treatment, the American Association of Orthodontists recommends screening children by age seven. The purpose of the initial exam is to determine if there are any discrepancies that might disrupt normal growth or worsen over time.

There are several benefits of early orthodontic treatment:

• To prevent more extensive treatment later.
• To eliminate or prevent the need for permanent tooth extractions.
• To straighten crooked teeth and correct bite problems.
• To cut down on tooth decay and gum problems since straight teeth are much easier to keep clean.

The objective in early orthodontics is to eliminate or minimize dentoalveolar and skeletal disorders that interfere with the growth, function, esthetics, self-esteem and overall health of a child. Common problems a pediatric dentist or orthodontist can identify in children include:

• Malocclusions (many of which are hereditary).
• Crowded and crooked teeth.
• The development of bite problems.
• Skeletal growth discrepancies.

These discrepancies may be treated with fixed or removable appliances. By using an appliance on a patient at an early age, the clinician can develop the arch and make room for all permanent teeth. There are generally three types of early treatment that may be necessary:

• Modification of functional behavior through myofunctional therapy or occlusal equilibration (both of which can be done without an appliance).
• Orthopedic treatment of the maxilla or mandible.
• Treatment with a removable or fixed orthodontic appliance.

It's important to note that the earlier treatment begins, the more the patient's face will adapt to the treatment. Later treatment will need to adapt to the facial features of the patient.

Sources

Dentistry.com - Footnote: When Should Children See the Orthodontist Available at: http://www.dentistry.com/articles/The_Importance_of_Early_Orthodnotic_Care.aspx

Rondeau, Brock. IneedCE.com - Your Online Continuing Dental Education Resource. Available at: http://www.ineedce.com

Patti, Antonio and Guy Perrier D'Arc. Clinical Success in Early Orthodontic Treatment. Quintessence Publishing. Available at: http://www.quintpub.com/display_detail.php3?psku=B9302.