While having braces is quite common for teenagers, braces have become much more common amongst kids, too. Since baby teeth predict how and where adult will erupt, ensuring baby teeth remain well aligned is important.
Despite this, some parents hold off on orthodontic treatment until their child is older. However, some dental ailments shouldn’t wait until the problem has had a chance to worsen. To explain which ailments require correction at an early age, your Livonia children’s dentist, Dr. James Stewart provides this information.
Conditions that Require Early Orthodontic Treatment
- Crossbites. Kids with severe bite problems display those issues at an early age—especially with crossbites. With a crossbite, the upper and lower teeth don’t sit over one another correctly. Instead, the upper teeth become nestled within the lower teeth on one side—teeth also appear tilted towards the cheeks or even the tongue. Though this is usually seen with front teeth, a crossbite can affect any portion of the mouth.
Furthermore, crossbites don’t correct themselves. In fact, a crossbite only worsens with time and the problem is solidified once permanent teeth erupt. Since treatment is relatively simple, it’s best to not wait until the problem worsens; your Livonia children’s dentist can explain how the treatment works and how soon you can begin. - Severe overcrowding. Baby teeth guide adult teeth into place, and if the baby teeth don’t complete this process correctly, orthodontic-related issues arise. Overcrowding is one of those aforementioned issues.
When your child has too many teeth for their mouths, adult teeth can become impacted and erupt improperly. Or the teeth can grow-in misaligned. Should your kids fall into this category, the dentist may suggest extracting some teeth. Then, the doctor places braces upon the baby teeth to guide the underlying teeth into the right spot. - Impacted teeth. Though this doesn’t perfectly correlate with orthodontic treatment, impacted adult teeth can prove very problematic for children. Impacted teeth cause infections, cysts, and even damage to the surrounding healthy teeth.
Consult with Your Livonia Dentist about Childhood Orthodontic Treatment
Your Livonia children’s dentist is an expert at detecting early childhood dental problems. If you’re unsure if you’re child will need braces in the future, talk to Dr. Stewart. With a simple evaluation of your child’s teeth, he can determine if orthodontic treatment is necessary. To schedule an appointment, call our office at (734) 425-4400. Also, visit our website to view services, testimonials, and print patient forms. We look forward to treating patients from Farmington Hills, Plymouth, Northville, Dearborn Heights, Garden City, and surrounding areas.