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Braces are designed to correct misaligned teeth. We use them in the management of conditions like gapped, overlapping, or crowded teeth. Most of the causes of these problems can be traced to early childhood. As such, it is best to resolve them at the earliest time possible. In some cases, the issues are discovered later in life. Fortunately, you can still get treatments for teenagers and adults.
Do you have any concerns about the alignment of your child’s teeth? We encourage you to schedule an appointment with us. Our specialists will evaluate your child and identify any issues. Afterward, we will come up with a suitable treatment plan – including the specific time to get braces, if necessary.
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Understanding Crooked Teeth
This refers to a situation where teeth are not able to fit the jaw leading to overcrowding or misalignment. As such, permanent teeth are forced to twist and move around awkwardly due to the limited space. The result is teeth misalignment. In general, the extent of malalignment varies with your genetics, teeth, and jaw size.
There are many different causes of crooked teeth, including:
- Jaw Size
- Genetics
- Poor Myofunctional Habits like tongue thrusting, thumb sucking, mouth breathing and bottle use
- Poor Nutrition
- Poor Dental Care
- Trauma
- Sleep Apnea
- Early Loss of Milk Teeth
Crooked teeth can also have an impact on your self-esteem and oral health. People who have crowded teeth normally feel self-conscious. As such, they may even steer clear of social situations and interactions as a result. Teeth misalignment can also lead to speech difficulties. Malalignment also causes oral health problems. Common examples include excess wear and periodontal disease. The latter occurs when brushing and flossing become a challenge. Your child may also develop digestion problems as they struggle with chewing food.
Early Orthodontic Evaluation
It is possible to resolve and even prevent the occurrence of crooked teeth at a young age. For this, we recommend scheduling an early orthodontic evaluation. Doing so comes with several advantages. Timely detection of misalignment and reduction of the need for future extractions are among the benefits you can expect to enjoy.
The best time to schedule the first orthodontic evaluation is around 4 years of age. At this point, our dental specialists will be able to evaluate the developing jaws and teeth. This is also the best age to take measures against detrimental habits such as wrong jaw posturing, mouth breathing, and thumb sucking.
Your child’s jaw growth rate is highest between the ages of 7 and 12. At Luna Pediatric Dentistry, we can take advantage of this natural growth to prevent and/or correct malalignment problems. We can optimize jaw development and create more space for future permanent teeth with the help of orthodontic solutions.
The rate of jaw growth reduces significantly between the ages of 12 and 17. At this stage, a good number of our permanent teeth have erupted. However, it is still possible to resolve a crooked smile. As such, braces become the main option when it comes to correcting misaligned teeth.
Adults can also get their crooked teeth aligned. However, it is worth noting that the straightening occurs at a significantly slower rate than in kids.
Signs That Braces Might Be Needed
As a parent, you should be on the lookout for some of the early indicators of teeth misalignment. They include:
- Teeth protruding outwards
- Misaligned or crowded teeth
- Shifting jaw
- Over bite
- Open bite
- Overjet
Learn more about signs that braces might be needed. At Luna Pediatric Dentistry, we offer a selection of orthodontic treatments for kids including:
Clear Aligners
Nothing matches the convenient and discrete nature of this treatment. To reposition your child’s teeth, this modern solution relies on the use of a series of transparent removable plastic molds. The trays are customized to the requirements of each patient. This solution is a great option for kids looking for a discrete treatment for their mild misalignment issues. To achieve the desired results, patients and their parents must be willing and able to closely adhere to the specified treatment plan.
Traditional Braces
This treatment involves using a network of metal wires and brackets to slowly move teeth into place. To provide the expected results, the braces are installed in place and adjusted at different intervals. This highly effective and widely trusted solution can be used to correct more severe cases of misaligned bites and teeth.
Other Orthodontic Solutions
At Luna Pediatric Dentistry we also provide other effective alternatives to the above. Retainers, palatal expanders, and functional appliances fall under this category. Other available treatments include headgear and space maintainers. Our specialists will consider your child’s specific needs before prescribing the most suitable option.
Benefits of Early Intervention
There are numerous advantages of early orthodontic treatment, including:
- Resolving and correcting difficulties in speech
- Minimizing the need for additional treatment
- Reducing dental trauma risk
- Boosting facial appearance and symmetry
- Guiding the growth and development of the jaw
- Enhancing oral hygiene
- Resolving bite issues
- Creating room for permanent teeth
- Long-term savings on the cost of treatment
- Boosting self-confidence and esteem
With early detection, we at Luna Pediatric Dentistry can be able to initiate proper treatment in a timely fashion. Our specialists can be able to chart the development of healthy and properly aligned teeth and correct bite. We take advantage of your child’s natural growth and development process to effectively treat any issues. This can help prevent the need for surgeries, extractions, and other extensive dental treatments in the years to come.
Learn more about Early Orthodontics Treatment.
Consultation Process at Luna Pediatric Dentistry
When you come in for an initial consultation and evaluation, we start with an extensive examination. This stage helps us get a comprehensive idea of your young one’s dental health and misalignment problems. The examination involves digital scans and X-rays. Afterward, our team will carefully answer any of your concerns, go over viable treatments, and come up with a treatment program.
If your child is found to have unique requirements, we will use a customized approach to treat their issues. Our specialists will explain how long the treatment will take. We will also cover other specific details like the solutions (like clear aligners and traditional braces) to be used and how they work. Check out our Orthodontic Treatment Options for Kids to find out more.
Contact Us Today
Recognizing the need for braces as early as possible can help you and your child avoid serious complications further down the road. Children should have their first orthodontist check-up by the time they are seven years old. A dentist can also make a recommendation on whether it’s time to take your kid in for a checkup. Are you concerned about the alignment of your child’s teeth? Have you noticed any of the signs of malalignment? The experts at Luna Pediatric Dentistry can help.
Go to our website or call us at (713) 360-0850 to talk to a member of our friendly and knowledgeable team or to make a booking. You can also check out our blog for more information, including how much you should expect to pay for braces for your child.
See Also Braces Cost in Houston, Texas.