EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENTDr Deborah Sykes would like to tell you about Orthodontics, so that you can decide whether you might need Orthodontic treatment. ‘Early Orthodontic Treatment’ is Part 2 of a series of informative Orthodontic articles to answer some commonly asked questions. What age should you see an Orthodontist? Dr Deborah Sykes likes to see children about 7-9 years old for their first Orthodontic examination. This can help to avoid more serious problems later. Why should children see an Orthodontist so young? There are many reasons why children may need an early Orthodontic exam; 1. Are all the baby and second teeth present and are they developing properly 2. Are the teeth growing straight or are they crooked and crowded 3. Does the bite work or function properly 4. Do the top and bottom jaws align well 5. Straight teeth help you to keep the teeth and gums healthier What is early Orthodontic treatment? Early Orthodontic treatment usually involves a removable plate and can correct; 1. Minor crowding even if all the permanent teeth are not yet present 2. Simple bite problems ie expansion of the upper jaw so that it fits properly over the bottom jaw 3. More complex bite problems ie ‘bucky teeth’ can also be corrected with 2 removable plates. These are called functional plates and this is a growth treatment and will be covered in another article. How long will this treatment take? Usually the removable plates are used for about 12 months until the problem is corrected. What is the plate made from? Your removable plate is made from a plastic base and wires. The wires are there to either hold the plate in place (clasps) or to move the teeth (springs). The photo shows what a simple plate looks like. The plates are made in the colour of your choice and sparkles can even be added! How often do I come for appointments? 1. Once the plate is fitted you will need to come back to the surgery for appointments every 4-6 weeks depending on the type of plate you have. Will I still need fixed braces later? 1. The removable plates will help the development of the permanent teeth and jaws and help to minimize and sometimes avoid the need for braces later 2. If plates are not used the problem of crowded teeth can often be worse later on 3. However it is only once most of the permanent teeth are present that you can assess if you still need fixed braces 4. It is important to have an early assessment to see if any problems can be diagnosed and treated while the teeth are still growing 5. Also it helps you to manage the financial aspects of treatment if you know that braces are needed later ie your private health funds. Ring the surgery now for an appointment on (03) 5331 9489 (no referral is necessary for Health Fund purposes) Keep smiling it makes you feel good! |