Is My Child Too Young For Braces?

Is your child aged 6 or 7 and has crooked teeth or a misaligned jaw that concern you? Perhaps you've heard that braces are only used once your child has reached their teenage years. This may have been true in the past, however many children are now candidates for early intervention around the age of 6 or 7 due to the introduction of early intervention removable orthodontic appliances called Myofunctional therapy.

Myofunctional Therapy

The development of orthodontic appliances means that many problems can be corrected at a much earlier age than was previously the case. These removable appliances are used to align teeth and jaws, while correcting the underlying habits that contribute to misalignment, such as tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

The following are some of the signs which merit early orthodontic assessment:

• Crooked, misaligned teeth
• A jaw that does not seem correctly aligned, juts forward or recedes
• Mouth breathing
• Snoring
• Thrusting the tongue forward to the roof of the mouth at rest or during speech
• Reverse swallowing - ie; swallowing with the tongue pushed forward and to the roof of the mouth.

Following assessment, your Dentist may recommend your child be provided with a specifically designed orthodontic appliance to suit their particular needs. Myofunction appliances are typically worn for one to two hours a day and at night. Together with the orthodontic appliance, you and your child will be taught a series of exercises designed to retrain the muscles and tongue to form the correct swallowing and breathing patterns.

Compliance is a major factor in the success of a Myofunction appliance and even with early intervention, it may still be necessary for your child to wear fixed braces at a later stage.

For more information go to www.myoresearch.com.

Conventional Fixed Braces

If it is considered your child does not require early orthodontic intervention, it will be recommended regular reviews take place to monitor their teeth and jaw until their teenage years. In the early teens your Dentist may then recommend fixed orthodontic braces be placed to align teeth into the correct position.

Following placement of the braces, your child will require regular short visits to have their progress checked and any adjustments performed. The whole process generally takes between 12 - 18 months until the braces are removed and your child's beautiful new smile emerges.