Importance of Pediatric Dental and Orthodontic Care

 www.adelbergpediatricdental.com

 

 

Happy National Orthodontic Health Month! As October brings orthodontic health into focus, the staff here at Adelberg Montalvan want to discuss the importance of early orthodontic treatment and the benefits of a pediatric dental/orthodontic team approach to providing care.

For the past several years, the orthodontic profession has seen a shift focusing on early childhood treatment. Because of this, the ability of the pediatric dentist to monitor the child’s growth and development, identify the onset of certain problems, and then make the appropriate referral to the orthodontist makes them an indispensable gatekeeper for coordinated patient care. 

Early childhood treatment usually entails a TWO-PHASE approach to orthodontic treatment:

• The FIRST PHASE occurs when the child still has both their primary (baby) and permanent (adult) teeth.  
• The SECOND PHASE – which is usually full top and bottom braces - occurs at a later stage when all of the permanent teeth have erupted.  

Benefits of First Phase Treatment

• Early treatment occurs while the child’s jaw bones are still soft. Because the bones are still pliable, this allows the orthodontist to utilize appliances that will guide and direct the growth of the upper and lower jaws so that they can correctly relate to each other. Some examples of misaligned jaws are crossbites, underbites, deep overbites, or excessively protruding teeth.
• Permanent teeth can be accommodated. By developing the jaws at an early age, there’s more of an opportunity to accommodate all the permanent teeth - thereby alleviating the need for extractions of permanent teeth later in life due excessive crowding.
• Potentially destructive habits can be stopped. Another reason for early childhood treatment is focused on the cessation of habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrusting. If left untreated, these habits will negatively affect both the teeth, as well as the jaws.

These are just a few of many different reasons why it is both beneficial and important to perform early orthodontic treatment.  Leaving such conditions untreated until all permanent teeth erupt could result in discrepancies too severe to achieve with braces.

If you're seeking orthodontic treatment for your child, consult with one of our orthodontists here at Adelberg Montalvan Pediatric Dental & Orthodontics. Let us help identify and appropriately treat these problems early on to make sure your child’s orthodontic experience is easier in the long run. Call (516) 798-1111 or visit our website to schedule an appointment!