Dental Braces for Kids

Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids

Children do suffer from an early onset of orthodontic problems, usually as a result of incessant and prolonged thumb sucking, tongue trusting and even heredity. In cases when it is too early for them to be fitted with braces, usually prescribed when all the mature teeth are out or between the ages of 7-8, Interceptive Orthodontics becomes necessary.

Interceptive Orthodontics involves a treatment of from 12-14 months after which the adult teeth are allowed to erupt completely before the child is fitted with the required braces. In Phase I of the treatment, a child is fitted with a palatal expander also called rapid maxillary expansion appliance or rapid palatal expander or orthodontic expander or palate expander. The purpose of this device is to expand the upper jaw so that the upper and bottom teeth will fit together well.

A palatal expander is used during the time the child’s permanent teeth are erupting. What it does is to create more room for the adult teeth to grow properly and lessen the early crowding of teeth. When this condition is not treated, the necessity of having some adult teeth extracted to correct the overcrowding is very possible.

A most common type of palatal expander that is very popular is the Hyrax appliance. A Hyrax appliance has a key that parents can turn at home and are meant to gradually spread or broaden the bones to create more room for teeth to grow. A Hyrax appliance is set in place between 60-90 days for the child’s comfort and also for dental hygiene.

After the Phase I treatment, a retainer is usually prescribed and when the child’s adult teeth have all erupted, Phase ll of the treatment follows. The decision on when Phase ll Treatment will commence depends on the orthodontist. Phase II involves the fitting of dental braces to further correct the problems.