Palm Beach Gardens 5-Star Orthodontic Practice
The Smile Store in Palm Beach Gardens is a 5-Star Orthodontic practice. Our team combines state-of-the-art orthodontist care and proven experience to deliver life-changing smiles for our patients. We offer orthodontic treatment for children, teens, and adults.
Our staff and Dr. Nick Savastano love helping patients achieve the smile they’ve always wanted. There are many options for orthodontic treatment, including traditional metal braces and ceramic braces as well as self-ligating braces and Candid Clear Aligners. We also offer Invisalign clear aligners, Invisalign Teen, and adult braces.
Our mission is to provide the best orthodontic care for our patients and to treat every patient with honesty and integrity. Get your free consultation today!
It’s never too late for orthodontic treatment. But what about your child’s teeth? The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children have their first orthodontic screening by age 7. Why is early evaluation so important and what can be done to prevent it from becoming too late?
Orthodontic problems
An early visit to an orthodontist can be beneficial for children in many ways. It’s important to remember that not all children need to be seen at an early age for an evaluation. If treatment is necessary, we will simply observe your child’s growth until we determine that treatment is appropriate. This allows us to achieve the best possible results and prevents future problems.
Every child is unique, but the average age at which adult molars appear in children is six years old. These markers can be used to determine the basic alignment of the teeth from the front to the back and sides. This is a good time to assess whether the mouth has enough room for all permanent teeth. If not, it’s possible to take immediate action.
It’s better to start orthodontic treatment earlier
Common orthodontic problems are usually treated between the ages of 9-14 when most of the permanent teeth have been placed and all the baby teeth have gone. However, there are certain conditions that can be treated much more easily if caught early in the child’s growth process.
One is severe crossbite. This refers to a condition in which many or all of your upper teeth are located inside your lower teeth. A device called a “palatal expander” can be used to treat this condition. It gradually widens the upper jaw and is painless. This is especially useful when the jaw has not fully developed. It is possible to have more complex treatment or even surgery if we wait too long.
Severe crowding is another condition that could benefit from early treatment. When the jaws are not large enough to hold all the permanent teeth, this is called severe crowding. To help adult teeth emerge (emerge from the gums), Either palatal expansion or tooth extraction might be recommended. Braces may be required later but the treatment will likely take less time and be simpler.
Other problems can also be solved by early intervention. The most obvious problem is the protruding front teeth. They can cause chipping and fractures, as well as problems in a child’s self-image. An underbite is a condition where the lower jaw grows more than the upper one. This can lead to serious bite problems. These problems can be corrected with braces or headgear at an early stage of a child’s development. This will increase the likelihood that surgery can be avoided.
Correction of bad habits like thumb sucking
Anyone can pick up bad habits at one point or another. However, there are situations when a youngster’s parafunctional (outside of the normal function) habits can have a negative impact on the development and function of his or her jaws, teeth, and mouth. These include thumb sucking, tongue thrusting, and mouth breathing.
It is normal for children to have a sucking reflex in their early years. It usually stops between the ages of 2 and 4. If it continues to occur later, the pressure on the digits and the upper jaw can cause the front teeth to shift and the jaws to change shape. This could lead to an orthodontic problem known as an “open bite” and can cause speech impairment. Open bites can also result from the tongue pushing against the teeth (tongue thrusting).
Mouth breathing, an abnormal breathing pattern where the mouth is always open and air passes directly to the lungs, can be caused by changes in the muscles of the tongue or face. This can cause the lower and upper jaws to grow abnormally. This could lead to severe orthodontic problems. Even though mouth breathing can be a sign of a physical problem, it can also become habitual and difficult to stop.
These parafunctional habits can be corrected with a variety of orthodontic treatments. The sooner they are addressed, the less damage they could cause. These potential problems can be difficult to spot. This is why it’s important to bring your child to an orthodontic screening as soon as possible. Contact The Smile Store today to speak with an orthodontic specialist.
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