What an Orthodontist Says About Primary and Permanent Teeth

For a beautiful smile, an orthodontist can recommend the right treatment for you. Living with crooked teeth and bite problems is difficult. You may feel embarrassed and want to avoid being around people. Children and teens can experience the same issues. Luckily, there are effective treatments available regardless of which teeth need work and what the problems are. Now is a good time to get the care you need.

The role of an orthodontist

In dentistry, there are many areas of focus and care. An orthodontist has a dental degree and is concerned about aligning teeth and repairing bite abnormalities. This professional can correct the positioning of teeth and the jaws. With the right treatment, the patient can enjoy an aesthetically pleasing smile.

Orthodontists will start to see patients as young as age 7. Pediatric orthodontics is a practice that can evaluate how baby teeth are affecting the patient’s smile. This type of orthodontic office will also provide early intervention by fitting young patients with palate expanders, spacers, and retainers. Patients can also improve their oral health, as straight teeth are not as difficult to clean.

Orthodontic work can start when baby teeth are still in place

Some prospective patients and parents think that orthodontic care has to wait until the person loses every baby tooth. The truth is that the orthodontist can start with alignment methods long before all the baby teeth are gone. Orthodontic work at this stage may include creating more space between the baby teeth. Braces can even go on while there are some baby teeth still in the mouth.

The orthodontist may have to pull out some baby teeth

However, in some cases, the orthodontist may need to extract some baby teeth during the treatment. If a permanent tooth is coming in, but the tooth is not ready to come out, it may need a little help. Removing the tooth can allow for treatment with braces or aligners to begin sooner. Removing a baby tooth can also be helpful to prevent a permanent tooth from coming in crooked.

X-rays can show the positioning of permanent teeth before they come in

At the beginning stages of orthodontic care, a pediatric orthodontist will take X-rays of the mouth. These images give a close look at whether the permanent teeth are positioned to come in straight. If not, orthodontic work can solve this concern. The orthodontist can use a chain to pull down the tooth into the right place.

Straightening permanent teeth takes longer in some patients than in others

The treatment period will vary from patient to patient. Some people wear braces for up to three years. Other patients get straight teeth in 18 months or less. The orthodontist will devise a treatment plan and inform the patient of their progress during the process.

Early or interceptive orthodontic treatment

By 7 years old, children need early orthodontic screening. The jawbones are still developing at that age. The dentist can determine if the child needs orthodontic treatment. Different orthodontic treatment options are available depending on the patient’s case. The mouth of a seven-year-old child has already developed well enough to identify how it will develop when the permanent teeth erupt. The orthodontic treatment will be effective as the child’s jawbone and dental system mature.

Benefits of early orthodontic treatment

Having early orthodontic treatment can correct different bite disorders. It also lowers the risk of damage to any projecting teeth. The dentist can correct bad dental habits that can lead to orthodontic problems as the child grows. The right treatment or treatments can help guide the development of the child’s jaw. This can help accommodate the erupting permanent teeth. Correcting orthodontic issues can improve the child’s appearance and self-esteem.

Phases of early orthodontic treatment

Most parents bring their very young children in for an orthodontic treatment. The first part of the treatment often starts when the child still has primary teeth. The second part happens when the child gets a little older. Both parts of the treatment will need the cooperation of the parents. This will secure a good treatment method as the child’s dental structures develop. It will also enhance the aesthetic and functional benefits of the treatment.

Your crooked teeth can become straight

Whether your permanent teeth are crooked or whether your child’s baby teeth are misaligned, orthodontic treatment can help. Your orthodontist can start care even if the child is at a young age. For you or your children, a new smile with straight teeth is waiting. Make an appointment today to get started.

Are you considering seeing an orthodontist in the Brooklyn area? Get more information at https://www.brooklyn-orthodontist.com.

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