Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children>
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children see an orthodontist as early as age seven. At this point the orthodontist will evaluate whether your child will need orthodontic treatment.
Early treatment (also known as Phase One) typically begins around age eight or nine (Phase Two will begin around age 11 or older). The goal of early treatment is to correct the growth of the jaw and certain bite problems, such as underbite. Early treatment also helps to make room for permanent teeth to come in properly, lessening the chance of extractions in the future.
Airway Assessment and Treatment (How is Your Child Breathing?)
In August 2012, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that all children and adolescents should be screened for snoring. These changes reflected new guidelines made in light of research that suggests delayed diagnosis of childhood sleep apnea “can result in severe complications if left untreated.” About 1 in 10 children suffer from snoring. Snoring is considered a cardinal symptom of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) but patients may also just breathe loudly or exhibit mouth breathing.
Fortunately, OSA is a medical problem that can have an orthodontic solution. 50% of OSA cases involve the bony structures that surround the airway. By modifying the bony structures around the airway (arch expansion and lower jaw growth modification), the orthodontist may be able to address one of the underlying causes of the condition. The problem could also be related to enlarged tonsils and/or adenoids. The entire airway can easily be visualized with our ultralow dose 3D x-ray machine and the necessary referral can be made to the appropriate medical professional for evaluation.