Orthodontics is the dental specialty that is responsible for correcting the defective position of the teeth and the anomalies of their corresponding bones, that is, among other things, it develops and places the corrective devices on the teeth. Many children throughout their childhood will wear apparatus to correct a defect in the teeth, also teenagers and in adulthood more and more people are seen with apparatus.
We are interested in things related to children. In which cases is an orthodontics necessary? From what age can children wear the device? These are some of the most frequently asked questions about orthodontics and children. We have to think that it is not just an economic issue (which frightens most parents) or aesthetics, and that is that an adequate orthodontic treatment will make the teeth align correctly and that the position is normalized and Maxilla and jaw size.
Thus it is achieved that the teeth can fit well between them and a complete chewing of the food is carried out. Teeth that work well run a lower risk of breaking down and last healthier longer.
The Spanish Association of Specialists in Orthodontics (AESOR) responds to Frequently asked questions about children and orthodontics, which solves many doubts for parents concerned about this issue, with children who are already changing teeth and whose final teeth do not appear with too much harmony ...
What is the right age for orthodontic treatment?
Defects in the position of the denture and its corresponding bones may begin to manifest at an early age, usually when the child loses the teeth of milk and are gradually replaced by the final teeth. This is the ideal time to seek advice from the dentist.
During the period that covers childhood and adolescence, from six to 14 years old, it is when most patients receive orthodontic treatment, depending on the output of permanent teeth and molars, and the growth of the jaw and the jaw, whose manifest defects require immediate correction.
But nevertheless, there are slight and passenger defects in which the experienced professional should not rush, because there is the possibility of a spontaneous correction. In short, it is necessary to place the trust in a professional, who based on his clinical experience and ethical criteria must decide the most appropriate age to start an orthodontic treatment if necessary.
In any case, the main orthodontic associations recommend doing a study before the seven years of the child to diagnose and / or correct early. And, at this young age, there are certain problems that are corrected much more easily than when you reach adolescence or adulthood.
How are denture defects studied?
When the initial signs of defects in the teeth and the anomalies of their corresponding bones appear, it is necessary to conduct a thorough study of their extent and severity, as well as the causes that have produced them. For them a plaster copy of the denture is obtained, special x-rays and photographs of the face are taken to observe its possible aesthetic disfigurement. The interpretation of these data allows to make a diagnosis as accurate as possible of the problem and propose the most appropriate treatment for each case.
What are the types of orthodontic treatment?
There are several treatment modalities, depending on the problem to be corrected and the patient's age:
- Preventive treatment pursues the elimination of childhood deforming habits, usually in temporary dentition (three to six years).
- The interceptive treatment is oriented to facilitate the normal exit of the definitive teeth and to improve the size and position of the maxillary bones, generally when the replacement of the milk teeth for the definitive ones begins (from seven to 11 years).
- Corrective treatment It is the one indicated when the final teeth have already come out (from 12 to 15 years old).
How are orthodontic appliances?
The correction devices can be removable or fixed.
Removable appliances, removable, consist of a thin plate that fits the palate, to which various metal elements are added, capable of moving the teeth with their corresponding bones. Its handling is relatively simple but they can only correct minor or moderate defects, without great difficulties for the professional who prescribes them. Because they make chewing difficult, they should be removed during meals.
Fixed appliances They consist of tiny brackets attached to the teeth, which house special wires that provide the energy needed for movements. Its effectiveness is greater than that of the removable devices, being especially indicated to correct the accentuated or serious defects. However, due to the complexity of their placement and the careful handling required by the wires, the professional who uses them must have greater scientific knowledge and clinical experience, since, otherwise, they can cause irreparable damage to the dentures.
How long is orthodontic treatment?
Just as the doctor cannot assure the definitive cure of a disease with total guarantee, the same happens with Orthodontics. The treatment aims to achieve an efficient, healthy, lasting and beautiful denture. The definitive success depends on such variable factors as the reaction of the teeth and bones to the movement, the professional success of the professional, the cooperation of the patient, the presence of hereditary factors, etc. In addition, freshly moved teeth naturally tend to return to their original bad position. To avoid this risk, once the treatment is finished, the corrective devices are removed and replaced by simple fixed or removable devices that are periodically reviewed by the professional.
Is orthodontic treatment expensive?
This is perhaps the point that most worries many parents. According to the Spanish Association of Specialists in Orthodontics, more than expensive, orthodontic treatment is expensive if you consider the severity of the problem to be solved, the constant and continuous professional attention, the quantity and quality of the devices and their prolonged duration. All these factors determine the final cost, which varies in each case. To make it more affordable, the device is usually paid periodically and fractionally throughout the treatment period.
In short, we as parents have to be attentive to the dentures of the little ones and how it is established, since in case of defects the aesthetic problem could be in the background and lead to long-term health problems. After the visit to the orthodontist, we must demand complete information about the child's individual problem, its characteristics, most appropriate treatment, approximate duration and total cost ...
Meanwhile, let's cross our fingers so that the teeth appear as orderly as possible and that children continue to maintain proper oral hygiene so that they are also as healthy as possible.
Photos | iStock and monica y heron on Flickr-CC
Via | AESOR
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