Signs that your child may need early orthodontic treatment:
Here at BRO, we talk with lots of parents – and it’s not uncommon to feel concerned about what might cause orthodontic problems for your young child. Some of the most common causes we see at Blue Ridge Orthodontics include:
So what exactly do we mean by malocclusion? This is a jaw problem that causes a difference in the size of the top and bottom jaw. In North Carolina, about 15 percent of children have a malocclusion that causes physical discomfort and/or impairs their ability to chew food. If your child has a significant jaw problem, please call us at 828-585-6045, and we can set up a free consultation at our offices in Asheville, Hendersonville or Brevard.
When malocclusions aren’t treated at an early stage, they can have a long-term impact on your child’s health, well-being and self-confidence. The most common malocclusions we see at BRO include:
Ideally, the teeth should fit within the mouth without any spacing or crowding issues – but, this is not always the case. Overcrowding is the most common type of malocclusion we see at BRO. While this is a very common issue, it’s doesn’t always require early orthodontic treatment. Some acute cases of overcrowding correct themselves over time as the child’s jaw grows and matures, but it is best to have your child’s smile evaluated by a professional to know for certain.
Take a look at your child’s front teeth when they bite down. If there is some space between them and the bottom teeth, this is a malocclusion known as an open bite. The top and bottom rows usually grow closer together on their own as children get older. However, some open bites do not closer on their own, so scheduling the first free consultation at a younger age is a good idea.
In certain cases, a child’s upper jaw may be significantly larger than the lower. This creates a malocclusion known as an overbite. While the top teeth are supposed to overlap the bottom by a little, this abnormality causes a more distinct protrusion.
At Blue Ridge Orthodontics, we treat this type of malocclusion in two phases. For early orthodontic treatment, our doctors might employ a special appliance that helps guide the jaw growth as your child’s adult teeth come in. The second phase may require braces in order to guide these new teeth into their proper places.
This is the exact opposite of an overbite – the lower jaw is larger than the upper. It is usually much easier to treat an underbite at an earlier stage, rather than waiting until your child has reached their adolescent years when the jaw is more matured. We treat this type of malocclusion all the time.
Does your child have a tooth that seems oddly close to their cheek or tongue in comparison to the corresponding tooth in the lower or upper row? This could be the result of a malocclusion called the crossbite. While this can be treated when your child gets older, our doctors recommend early orthodontic treatment to correct these cases – because we see a greater degree of success when the patient’s jaw is not as developed.
If you’re coming to Blue Ridge Orthodontics for your first consultation, you can expect to hear one of three things:
Orthodontic procedures for adults often require more time and are more likely to involve tooth extraction or oral surgery. Opting for early orthodontic treatment can prevent the need for more extensive procedures in the future.
If you call 828-585-6045 or fill out our online form today, we can schedule a complimentary initial exam at a convenient time for you and your child at one of our offices in Asheville, Hendersonville or Brevard.
