What to Know About Pediatric Orthodontics in Indiana

Your Child and Pediatric Orthodontics

If you’ve ever asked — “What is Pediatric Orthodontics?” — we’ve got you covered. Read on to learn more about the orthodontic treatments we can provide your children and please contact us when you are ready to talk more.

Starting orthodontic treatment early in your child’s life will ensure a healthy smile that looks and feels good for many years to come. Proper orthodontic treatment will improve your child’s personal appearance and boost self-confidence at a critical young age. Because our jaws grow at different rates, receiving an initial consultation at a young age will give you and your family plenty of information for creating an effective treatment plan with your orthodontist.

Shortcuts

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO START THE ORTHODONTIC PROCESS FOR CHILDREN?WHAT TO EXPECT AT FIRST PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTIC VISIT?WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PHASE I TREATMENT?WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PHASE II (COMPREHENSIVE) TREATMENT?

WHAT IS THE BEST TIME TO START THE ORTHODONTIC PROCESS FOR CHILDREN?

AAO RECOMMENDATION

You may be wondering what is the best age to get braces, and the American Association of Orthodontics (AAO) recommends that parents take their children for orthodontic treatment by the age of seven, before all of the permanent teeth come in. Because of the wide disparity in tooth development around the age of seven, an expert needs to determine if your child needs orthodontic treatment or if the changes are a normal part of developmental growth.

An orthodontist will also be able to tell if enough room exists in your child’s mouth to accommodate the incoming permanent teeth. Most orthodontic conditions are easier to treat the earlier they are identified, when natural growth processes are at their peak. If some of these conditions are left untreated at a young age they may require surgery or permanent tooth extractions later in life. You may be wondering if it’s too late to get braces; and we are here to reassure you that each child is different and we can still move forward with treatment if you decide to explore braces at age 8 or braces at age 10 for example.

VISITING AN ORTHODONTIST BEFORE THE AGE OF SEVEN

While there is no braces age limit, there are some behaviors that require your child to seek out pediatric orthodontics earlier, especially if you have a question about the alignment of the teeth or bite. Additional reasons to see an orthodontist sooner than the age of seven include:

Early or late loss of baby teeth
Thumb sucking
Tongue thrusting
Mouth breathing and snoring
Trouble biting, speaking or chewing
Protruding, crowded or widely spaced teeth
Clenching jaws
Grinding teeth

If you notice these behaviors in your child before the age of seven, we strongly recommend making an appointment with an orthodontist.

Reasons to Consider Pediatric Orthodontics

1. Proactive Treatment by a Pediatric Orthodontist

While there is no best age for braces, visiting a pediatric orthodontist will ensure proper alignment in your child’s jaws by allowing the orthodontist to determine the best time to begin necessary treatment. The orthodontist will watch growth patterns as your child develops, allowing early detection and timely treatment if/when any issues arise. This process can be much more difficult after your child gets older and his or her jaws and teeth have finished growing.

2. Supporting the Emergence of Permanent Teeth

Children typically start developing permanent teeth by the age of seven, which means a pediatric orthodontist will be able to recommend the need for care and best treatment options to consider at an early age.

3. Catching and Reversing Bad Habits Early

Pediatric Orthodontics can help identify bad oral habits early and mitigate the negative effects they may have on your child’s teeth and mouth. The best age for braces can be determined by seeing an orthodontist before the age of seven to help prevent bad habits — such as thumb sucking — and improve the overall orthodontist experience. If untreated, these bad habits can increase the need for emergency orthodontic treatment or even surgery.

4. Less Invasive and More Cost Effective

The earlier you start orthodontic treatment, the less invasive and more cost effective it can be. While your child’s permanent teeth are still growing, an orthodontist can identify issues early enough to begin treatment before issues worsen.

5. Avoid Issues That Emerge From Permanent Teeth

Some issues are treated much more easily in children than in adults. It’s helpful for the orthodontist to evaluate how your permanent teeth are coming through the gums in order to determine if treatment is necessary.

6. Create a Financial Plan for the Future

Seeking pediatric orthodontics at a young age helps budget for the future. We strongly recommend asking questions in early appointments in order to get an accurate idea of what to expect. Treatment plans can include appliances at various stages. Seeing an orthodontist early will help create a plan that works with your finances.

7. More Favorable Long-Term Results

The earlier an orthodontist identifies issues and begins treatment, the better your results will be in the long-run. Visiting an orthodontist before the jaw finishes growing results in a faster, easier and better overall treatment plan.

WHAT TO EXPECT AT FIRST PEDIATRIC ORTHODONTIC VISIT?

Once you’ve decided to take your child to the first pediatric orthodontics appointment, it’s important to share the various phases of braces and what he or she can expect from their pediatric orthodontist visit:

Explain Clearly the Need for the Appointment

It is very helpful for your child to understand why they are going to see an orthodontist. Explain to them that braces and Invisalign are used to straighten misaligned teeth, imbalanced jaw structures and improve their smile. Inform them that the earlier they go to the orthodontist, the less time treatment will most likely take.

Let Your Child Know That They are not Alone

Most children know a friend or family member who has gone to the orthodontist. Help your child understand that it is extremely common from kids their age to go to the orthodontist.

Share What to Expect at the First Orthodontist Appointment

Let your child know that the first appointment will consist of an oral examination, digital x-rays and photos, as well as a discussion of treatment options. Sometimes treatment can start that very same day, if needed. Explain that x-rays help the orthodontist see what’s going on underneath the gums, the location of any teeth that are still below the gum line, and the position and growth of bones and joints.

Meeting Your Orthodontist

Letting your child know that a visit to an orthodontist resembles a visit to a dentist can help calm their fears. Orthodontists achieve three additional years of schooling, making them specialists who diagnose, prevent and treat a variety of dental problems. An orthodontist can have a positive impact on your child’s health, appearance, development and comfort. Explain that orthodontists are experts in creating beautiful smiles.

Introduce the Treatment Options

It may be helpful to review various treatment options and the stages of braces with your child before visiting the orthodontist, as treatment may start that very same day. The following list outlines some of our most common treatments:

A palatal expander uses gentle pressure on the upper molars to widen the upper jaw. A quad helix uses four springs to widen the arch of your mouth in order to make room for crowded teeth. This device can also correct posterior crossbites. A limp bumper helps make room for lower teeth by moving molars back and creating space in the front. Traditional braces consist of two main components — brackets affixed to the teeth and a main archwire threaded through the brackets — and use constant, gentle pressure to move teeth into the proper alignment over time. There are several stages of braces that we will review with you and your child in detail. Invisalign straightens teeth without wires and brackets, but instead with a series of clear, customized and removable aligners. Patients switch aligners every 1-2 weeks in order to gradually move teeth into the proper placement, while being able to easily remove aligners throughout treatment for eating, brushing and flossing.

WHAT HAPPENS DURING THE PHASE I TREATMENT?

Throughout the orthodontic industry, pediatric orthodontics also gets referred to as Phase I orthodontic Treatment, which is the first of the phases of braces and includes progressive treatments for patients ages seven to eleven —especially when jaw irregularities are present. During this growth period, orthodontic treatment can be more effective and less invasive. Early detection allows an orthodontist to create a perfectly timed, personalized treatment plan for your child.

The following list outlines potential signs your child may need Phase I orthodontic treatment:

Protruding front teeth Loss of baby teeth too early or too late Trouble biting or chewing Sucking thumb or fingers Underbite or a bite that shifts to one side Misaligned lower and upper teeth Snoring

The goals of Phase I orthodontic treatment include:

Gain proper width of the upper and lower jaws. Create room for crowded teeth to enter. Align the jaws to allow proper growth. Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding teeth. Hold space for permanent teeth that need to erupt. Reduce the need for tooth removal. Reduce treatment time with braces. Minimize the need for surgical treatment with certain growth patterns.

In order to begin Phase I orthodontic treatment, the orthodontist will take digital models, x-rays and photographs of your child’s teeth in order to determine the type of orthodontic appliance needed, the duration of treatment time needed, and the frequency of visits to the orthodontist.

A successful Phase I orthodontic treatment creates room for permanent teeth to find their path way in, so they are not severely displaced during the growth process. You will notice a difference in phase 1 braces before and after, as we will start to address some of the items in the list of signs above. Your child will then have about a year or so to rest before beginning phase 2 braces treatment, if needed. Phase 2 braces treatment will correct issues involving the permanent teeth, which should have been decreased during phase 1 braces treatment.

You may be wondering about the cost of phase 1 braces, and because there isn’t a standard treatment for each child, it’s difficult to predict what phase 1 braces will cost. We do offer custom financing options and monthly payment place for your braces, that will fit your unique situation so that the phase 1 braces cost doesn’t prevent you from achieving a healthy and beautiful smile.

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