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Age for orthodontic treatment
There is as such no particular age for
orthodontic treatment. Every child should get an orthodontic
screening done by age of 7, but you are never too old for
treatment.
The first permanent molars and incisors have usually come in
by age 7, and crossbites, crowding and other developing dental protrusions can be evaluated.
If your child is sucking finger or is having other oral
habits, it
can be assessed at this time.
Sign for orthodontic treatment
Signs
or habits indicating early orthodontic treatment are
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early or late loss of baby teeth,
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difficulty in chewing or biting,
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mouth breathing,
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thumb sucking,
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finger sucking,
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crowding, misplaced or blocked out teeth,
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jaws that shift or make sounds,
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biting the cheek or roof of the mouth,
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teeth that meet abnormally or not at all, and
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jaws and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face.
Benefits of early treatment
Children who are indicated for early orthodontic intervention, early treatment presents an opportunity to:
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guide the growth of the jaw,
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regulate the width of the upper and lower dental arches (the arch-shaped jaw bone that supports the teeth),
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guide incoming permanent teeth into desirable positions,
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lower risk of trauma (accidents) to protruded upper incisors (front teeth),
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correct harmful oral habits such as thumb- or finger-sucking,
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reduce or eliminate abnormal swallowing or speech problems,
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improve personal appearance and self-esteem,
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potentially simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics,
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reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth (teeth that should have come in, but have not), and
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preserve or gain space for permanent teeth that are coming in.
Space maintainer
In children the primary molar teeth,hold needed space for
permanent teeth to erupt in the later age.If the molar tooth
is lost due to decay,than an orthodontic device with a fixed
wire is usually put between teeth to hold the space for the
permanent tooth, which will come in later.
How much time it takes for correction of maloccluded
teeth?
It varies according to severity of initial
malocclusion and also varies for each patient depending on
the nature, the cooperation of the patient and the type of
treatment appliances. The better the patient is about wearing
and taking care of his or her appliances, the sooner teeth
will improve.
Is there any discomfort in wearing braces ?
Some of the patients feel discomfort for
first the first few days that get relieved by the medication
prescribed by the doctors. The discomfort may include
difficulty in speach, eating or some times ulceration, but
with proper medication it get relieved soon.
Retainers
This is the
final phase of orthodontic treatment Here the retainers are
given to patient so that the teeth must adapt to the new
position. This is weared depending on individual case and
more the patient wears it more is the adaptability. The
length of time for retention varies with each individual. It
is recommended to help the teeth and jaw remain in proper
alignment for life.
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