Bite correction in children
We'll find an approach to every kid
Treatment time from 3 months If an abnormality is suspected, it is necessary to correct the bite — misaligned upper and lower teeth — is observed in about half of children. Often parents do not pay much attention to the crooked teeth or unnatural position of the jaws of the child, believing that the abnormalities will pass with age or the change of teeth. In fact, the bite does not correct itself, on the contrary — significantly worsens with age. Neglected anomalies lead to defects in appearance, deterioration of teeth and diseases of the digestive system.Visit an orthodontist, without engaging in self-treatment. Even if there are no symptoms of malocclusion, a preventive visit to the doctor after 2-3 years of age is recommended in order to detect problems as early as possible.
It is much easier to correct the bite at a young age than in adulthood, because the bone tissue is not yet fully formed and can be easily affected. Therefore, orthodontic treatment can and should be started even on baby teeth.
Only an orthodontist can determine a malocclusion. But parents can pay attention to the characteristic signs and habits of the child, which can cause improper jaw formation.
Signs of malocclusion in children
Noticeable external symptoms:
-
Incorrectly standing, tilted or unfolded teeth;
-
Large gaps between teeth or crowding;
-
Disproportionate jaws: too protruding relative to each other or underdeveloped.
Indirect signals:
-
The child bites his cheeks or tongue;
-
Complains of pain in the jaw, facial muscles;
-
He breathes mainly through his mouth;
-
It is difficult for him to swallow or chew food;
-
New teeth are cut with a delay.
If a deviation from the norm is suspected, it is necessary to visit an orthodontist without self-treatment. Even if there are no symptoms of malocclusion, a preventive visit to the doctor after 2-3 years of age is recommended in order to detect problems as early as possible.
Causes of malocclusion in children
The bite is formed in the womb and is often caused by heredity or maternal nutrition during pregnancy. The active occurrence of abnormalities occurs immediately after birth. Their causes, in addition to genetics, are ways of eating, sleeping positions, habits and diseases:
-
Artificial feeding. Children are born with different jaw sizes: the lower one is slightly shortened. Up to a year, the jaws are aligned due to the active work of the muscles and jaws during breastfeeding. When sucking a bottle, the lower jaw almost does not strain and does not develop, lagging behind the upper one.
-
Breastfeeding after 1.5 years. After this age, solid food must be introduced into the child's diet. Due to active work during chewing, muscles, jaws and teeth develop and grow properly.
-
Frequent sucking of pacifier, finger, pencils. The constant presence of objects in the mouth prevents the teeth from growing properly and causes an open bite — a complete lack of contact in part of the dentition.
-
Incorrect sleeping and feeding positions. Tilting the head back, lowering the chin to the chest, hand under the cheek during sleep;
-
Diseases of the otolaryngological organs. Natural human breathing is carried out through the nose. If due to a chronic runny nose, curvature of the septum, adenoids, the child breathes mainly through the mouth, then the bite is formed incorrectly.
At what age should a child's bite be corrected?
The first preventive orthodontist appointment can be made at 2-3 years of age, when all 20 milk teeth have erupted. The doctor will diagnose, diagnose and prescribe treatment. At this stage, exercises for muscle training are usually prescribed. If the child has difficulty breathing through the nose, it is also recommended to visit an otolaryngologist.
The easiest and fastest time to align the bite is before the age of 5, when the bone tissue is actively forming and mobile.
After 6-7 years of age, the bite can be aligned.
From 6-7 years of age, partial braces or removable techniques such as tracers, plates, and mouth guards can be used.
Correcting the bite is the fastest way to equalize the bite before the age of 5, when the bones are actively forming.
Correction of the bite in adolescents begins at 12-14 years of age, when all the molars have appeared, but the bone tissue is still quite mobile. At this age, removable appliances no longer work, but the duration of treatment with braces is much shorter than in adults.
How to correct a child's bite?
Different stages of children's development have their own methods of bite alignment that are effective:
-
Myotherapy — therapeutic exercises to train the muscles of the jaw — helps to normalize the bite up to 4 years of age. A special gymnastic complex is prescribed by an orthodontist based on the clinical picture. Do not choose exercises independently on the recommendations of acquaintances or schemes from the Internet, because improperly designed training will aggravate anomalies. The complex should be performed in strict order at the same time every day.
-
The Schoenher plate is used in addition to facial exercises and as a remedy for bad habits — finger sucking or toy sucking.
-
Orthodontic plates hold the teeth in the correct position with a metal arch attached to a plastic base. Worn permanently and removed only during meals and hygiene. Effective from 6 to 12 years of age, but work much slower than braces.
-
Trainers — silicone mouthguards for training the chewing muscles. They are worn for only a few hours a day and at night to solve swallowing, chewing and diction problems.
-
Children's aligners — transparent customized mouthguards. This relatively new orthodontic technology is still being perfected and does not yet solve all bite problems, but patients like it for its discreetness and comfort.
-
Braces — fixed orthodontic appliances, which cope with almost all bite abnormalities. Braces align teeth much faster than removable appliances, and the risk of orthodontic relapse — less. What the plate treats several years, braces cope with in 6-9 months.
Modern orthodontics offers options for braces for any patient's request:
-
Classic metal braces Orthos, 3MX, Damon Q and accelerated treatment due to digital technologies;
-
Transparent sapphire or ceramic braces.
Orthodontists recommend
Why are braces better than removable appliances?
In recent years, parents are increasingly choosing braces instead of plates. Modern children live an active life — attend clubs and sports clubs. With such a rhythm, parents, who usually work a lot themselves, cannot control their child all the time. Children often forget to put on the plates, lose or break them. In orthodontic treatment, regularity and continuity are important. If you don't wear the appliance for longer than 1-2 weeks, it won't fit and you'll have to get a new one. Every repair and replacement is paid for. As a result, treatment becomes unproductive and costly.
Braces cannot be removed or lost, and they are quite difficult to unglue. In addition, they do not need to be cleaned and washed separately, but simply use a toothbrush and a special brush when brushing your teeth.
Braces can be removed and lost, and they are difficult to remove.
The most important advantages of braces — it is the speed of alignment, the ability to correct complex pathologies and more stable results.
Prevention of malocclusion
To prevent malocclusion in a child, it is enough to be careful and adhere to several recommendations:
-
Consume foods with fluoride and calcium during pregnancy;
-
Refuse artificial feeding or use a special pacifier;
-
Pay attention to the type of breathing of the child: with a predominant oral, visit an otolaryngologist.
-
Do not give the child a finger and a regular pacifier to suck. Use an orthodontic pacifier for no longer than 6 hours a day. Give up the nipple after 9 months.
-
When switching to regular food, give solid foods that need to be actively chewed.
It is important to see your doctor periodically, even if there is nothing to worry about. It is much easier and less expensive to correct the problem early on than as an adult.
Orthodontists at Konfidencia Clinic find an approach to every young patient and work professionally with different techniques. The most effective method of treatment is chosen based on the results of diagnosis, but the final result depends on the joint work of the child, parents and doctor. Treatment with any technique requires the responsibility and attention of parents. They must explain to their children the importance of regular hygiene, control the wearing of the devices, monitor nutrition, and support the child at all stages of treatment.
Make an appointment for a consultation with a pediatric orthodontist
Cost of bite correction for children
The best specialists to treat you
Наши пациенты до и после процедуры
Answers to questions
