“Medical specialty aimed at preventing or correcting anomalies in the position of teeth. The definition of Larousse is correct. But she doesn’t say everything. Wearing rings, a splint or rubber bands is not only used to find a nice smile. This also helps to avoid possible problems with speech, chewing, and even breathing. 

So, amazing as it sounds, braces can make sleep apnea go away. How? ‘Or’ What ? By correcting the position of the jaws, which will allow the child to breathe normally again. Derived from the Greek “ortho” which means straight and “odontos” which means tooth, orthodontics is a word well known to adolescents. But the youngest also sometimes have every interest in sitting in the chair of this specialist.

When to take your child to the orthondist?

Ideally, “it is recommended to take your child to the orthodontist from the age of 5-6 years, to take stock of his needs”, explains Dr Patrick Fellus, orthodontist, founder of the French Society. pediatric orthodontics. In reality, few parents have this reflex. Fortunately, it is often the dentist who, when examining your toddler’s mouth, can advise you to go see an orthodontist.

“By observing their children’s smile, parents can see if it is harmonious. If they are in doubt, it is often that something is wrong. They have to trust each other, ”insists Dr Fellus. A significant growth gap between the upper and lower jaws is not trivial.

Other signs that prompt you to consult

The middle of the top and bottom teeth that do not coincide when the teeth are clenched, permanent teeth implanted askew, or lacking space. If your child is breathing through the mouth, this is not normal, it is also necessary to consult. Depending on the anomalies observed, a treatment plan, indicating the modalities and an estimated duration, is given to the parents, as well as an estimate.

“Barely 20 years ago, we only performed orthodontics on permanent teeth. This is no longer the case today. We now know that it is not necessary to wait until all the baby teeth have fallen out to have braces.

It is thus possible to start treatment very early, from 4-5 years old. This is not frequent, but the goal is thus to reduce a future treatment, or even to avoid it. “The sooner you intervene, the easier it is to correct a problem. At this age, treatment is usually short: six to twelve months on average. In young children, for example, a false palate can be used to widen an upper jaw that is too narrow. ”

What does this false palace consist of?

It is a resin plate, held on the palate by an ingenious system of hooks and springs attached to the teeth. By increasing the pressure on the jaw, it gradually allows its separation. About once a week the little patient should turn a wrench to increase the pressure. For a treatment to work at this age, the small patient must accept it, and be ready to accept the constraints involved in wearing a device.

7 to 11 years

We can talk about interception treatments. This is the period when milk teeth and permanent teeth still coexist. A good age to start a treatment: we can still play on the possibility of growth of the jaws. Conversely, in an adult, the jaws are no longer malleable at all, and treatment carried out late will sometimes have to be preceded by jaw surgery.

11 to 16 years

The treatments are said fixes. The teenager then has all of his permanent teeth. We will exert a light pressure on the teeth, for a longer or shorter time, to give them the desired position. The famous rings, placed clearly on the outside of the teeth, are now in competition with the transparent gutter. More discreet, it has the other advantage of being able to be removed, which facilitates brushing of the teeth. But it must be worn 22 hours a day, which requires the cooperation of the teenager. Lingual rings are attached to the inside of the teeth to be completely invisible. It may also be necessary to remove teeth, so that the remaining ones are properly aligned. This act is not trivial. It is only carried out in the event of a lack of space, when the orthodontist cannot do otherwise.

The price of a treatment variesie on average from 600 to 1200 € per semester. The orthodontist must give you a detailed estimate.

To benefit from (partial) reimbursement by Social Security, “you must obtain the prior approval of your health insurance fund, start treatment within 6 months of obtaining this prior agreement and before the 16th child’s birthday ”, can be read on ameli.fr. The remainder can be reimbursed, in part or in full, by your mutual insurance company.