Bite problems can be identified early (5-7 years of age) when children have a mix of baby and adult teeth. These problems can include crowding, space between teeth, protruding teeth, missing teeth and sometimes jaw growth problems. In addition, some problems develop over time due to habits such as thumb-sucking, abnormal swallowing, trauma or poor oral hygiene.

 

Some problems may be easier to correct if they are found and treated early: before all the adult permanent teeth erupt into the mouth, or the facial growth is completed. At this stage, orthodontic intervention includes the use of removable appliances to correct harmful habits or guide the growth of the jaws and the eruption of the teeth. Early treatment allows the orthodontist to:

 

• Correct and guide the growth of your child’s jaw to help the permanent teeth come in straight

 

• Coordinate the width of the upper and lower arches so they match

 

• Create more space to align crowded teeth

 

• Correct thumb sucking and help improve minor speech problems

 

• Avoid the need for extractions of permanent tooth later

 

• Eliminate the need for braces or reduce the duration of treatment with braces

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