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Wrong bite in a child: at what age to treat
A beautiful smile is important not only from an aesthetic point of view. The general condition of the body depends on the correct position and closing of the teeth.
General dentist, orthodontist
“Incorrect closing of teeth is scientifically called occlusion. Let’s imagine that the teeth in the oral cavity are a team that has a very important function – to grind and chew food that has entered the oral cavity. To do this, you need to apply a certain force. For each team member, the strength is divided equally, but if the teeth are in the wrong position, more pressure is put on someone, and he is forced to retire earlier. “
Incorrect distribution of chewing pressure affects not only the teeth, but also the temporomandibular joint. Over time, destructive changes occur. To keep the teeth healthy longer, it is imperative to correct the bite.
Orthodontic treatment can be carried out at any age, but in adults the bones are already formed, and if there is a problem of lack of space in the jaw, it has to be solved in other ways.
Types of bite correction
Rapid Palatal Expansion Apparatus… Treatment is designed for an average of 6-8 months. An unconditional plus of rapid palatal expansion is that the device is not removable, which means that small patients cannot remove it, therefore, the effectiveness of treatment increases.
Trainer. It is used to treat vertical bite pathologies. It is worn for 9-12 months. The device is removable, the effectiveness of treatment depends on the patient. The trainer is worn all night long, worn during the day for three hours. Once every three months, it is advisable to carry out a photoprotocol of treatment to assess the dynamics.
Bracket system. It is fixed in the oral cavity for the entire period of treatment – from a year to 4 years in difficult cases. Principle of operation – a bracket is positioned on each tooth, into which an arc is inserted. It is she who begins to change the position of the teeth. Pros: it is not removable, which means that the effectiveness of treatment increases. Cons: difficult oral hygiene, it is necessary to brush teeth and braces after each meal, visit a dental hygienist every 3-4 months.
Surgery. It is indicated for complex bite pathologies. Treatment is carried out by two specialists – an orthodontist and a maxillofacial surgeon. This treatment increases the stability of the result in the presence of skeletal malocclusion in patients.
Aligners. One of the most modern treatment regimens. Thin transparent weightless mouthguards that tightly wrap the tooth and move in the right direction. Plus – they are removed at the time of eating and brushing your teeth. The duration of treatment is shorter in comparison with treatment with a bracket system. In addition, aligners do not cause damage to the oral mucosa and allergies. Minus – not suitable for everyone. Unfortunately, not all occlusion pathologies can be treated with aligners.
Correction of bite at different ages
2 – 3 of the year… Show your child to the orthodontist for prevention, especially if teeth are erupting at different levels. At this age, the doctor normalizes the development of the jaws with the help of devices that correct bad habits.
4-10 years old. If the deciduous teeth are removed too early, a permanent bite may develop abnormally. The orthodontist prescribes alignment plates and bite correction trainers.
10-15 years old. The permanent bite is practically formed and fixed braces can be used, which effectively deal with a variety of bite anomalies.