Pediatric orthodontics
Orthodontics for children
It is recommended that every child, upon turning seven years old, be examined by an orthodontist to determine whether they require any type of orthodontic treatment and, if so, when the best time would be to receive it. At this age, the first permanent molars and incisors have already erupted, and it is possible to assess conditions such as crossbites, dental crowding, and many other orthodontic problems.
When should treatment begin?
When treatment is started at an early age, the orthodontist can control jaw growth and guide the permanent teeth into their correct positions. Early treatment can also control the width of the upper and lower arches, create space for permanent teeth, avoid the need for permanent tooth extractions, reduce the likelihood of impacted permanent teeth, correct thumb-sucking habits, and eliminate swallowing or speech problems. In other words, early treatment simplifies any future treatment.
Types of treatments for children and adolescents
-Maxillary expansion
