Early orthodontics for children is a technique that corrects dental problems in children, so they can have attractive teeth and more confidence when they grow up.
What is early orthodontics for children?
Early orthodontics is also simply called braces. It deserves special attention for children aged 7 to 15. This is because at this stage their baby teeth are gradually replaced by permanent teeth, and the structure of the jawbone is gradually becoming stable. Orthodontic treatment at this age is very effective.
Treatment also takes less time than it would in adulthood. In other countries, children get early orthodontic treatment from a very young age, but in Vietnam many parents do not yet pay attention to this.
Why should your child start orthodontic treatment early?
Between the ages of 7 and 15, children's teeth develop rapidly. Anything that affects the teeth at this stage will affect how their teeth look later on. Early orthodontic treatment has the following benefits:
- Before age 18, protruding teeth, underbites, buck teeth or crooked teeth are easier to “fix” than in adults. At this age, orthodontic treatment easily gets results, so your child has nicer teeth as they grow up.
- Braces at a young age have less impact on social life. Young children pay less attention to their looks, so wearing braces does not bother them much. As an adult, braces are a bit more inconvenient because you meet people all the time, especially at work.
Why is early orthodontic treatment needed?
Abnormal bone development can be corrected if treatment starts at the right time. Examination, early detection and treatment at this stage help the final result a great deal.
The stages of braces for children
According to dentists, early orthodontics for children aged 7 to 15 usually has 2 stages:
- Stage one: at age 7 to 9. The dentist monitors the child's teeth in order to step in and correct some problems with the baby teeth. This prepares for the permanent teeth and corrects problems such as deep bite, crossbite and misaligned bite with functional appliances.
- Stage two: at age 10 to 15. By now most of the teeth have come in. This stage is ideal for braces, to get the best orthodontic results. The dentist fits the child with orthodontic appliances to move and realign the teeth, so the child ends up with good results for both chewing and speech.
Some children need to wear braces for 18 to 30 months to get the expected result. Children with more dental problems will need to wear braces longer.