Which is the right time to bring your child for an orthodontic referral?
It is usually hard for a parent to identify any developing problem in tooth eruption in a child.Let us know in detail about the various problems that require a dental checkup and those that can be self correcting.
Optimal time to wait and seek orthodontic intervention.
Which anomalies are self correcting in a developing dentition:
A.Gum pad stage:
*During this stage, the gum pads contact each other posteriorly but anteriorly they remain open. This anomolies are usually corrected as growth progresses.
* Retrognathic mandible: This means that the lower jaw remains backward compared to the upper jaw.
This usually resolves during the later stages of growth. mandible continues to grow till 14 to 16 years of life. therefore no need to worry if your child has a retrognathic lower jaw.
B.Primary dentition stage:
Most parents worry about the fact that erupting milk teeth have space between them. But is the problematic?
The answer is NO!
This condition is called : spaced dentition. Where your developing milk teeth are spaced properly
they are also called anthropoid or physiological spacing/ Simmons spacing: Space between the lateral incissor and canine in the upper arch and space between the canine and the 1st molar in mandible are the normal spacing.
These spaces are usually resolved during development of your permanent teeth
Problems which seek orthodontic intervention during primary dentition stage:
Closed dentition:
The lack of normal spacing in primary dentition is called closed dentition . If you observe lack of spacing between primary teeth, you can consult a specialist orthodontist, since this can result in malocclusion in the future permanent dentition.
SOME PROBLEMS DUE TO CLOSED DENTITION:
1. Crowding
2. Un-erupted permanent teeth
Early orthodontic intervention can prevent complexity of your orthodontic treatment in the future.
B. Mixed dentition stage:
This stage begins from 6 years of life right after the eruption of 1st permanent teeth
* Mandibular anterior crowding
This stage is usually during the eruption of the eruption of mandibular lower incisors. This is usually self correcting , since the tongue pressure created a secondary spacing. So its better the parent waits and watches. This stage doesn't require orthodontic intervention
*Deep bite:
Since the maxillary anteriors are larger comparatively the lower anteriors appear to be submerged under the upper anteriors. This again can also be due to the reduced heights of primary molars that resolves after all permanent teeth develops. This occurs during the ages of 6- 9 years
During 10 - 12 years:
Ugly Duckling stage:
This stage is inevitable in all growing children. Characterized by spacing in between the upper front tooth and flaring of the lateral incisors.
In this stage the anomaly is corrected on its own by years by the eruption of canines.
This type of anomaly doesn't require orthodontic intervention.
But if the spacing and flaring persists even after 14 years, a specific orthodontic intervention is required
Other problems which require orthodontic intervention:
1.crowding beyond 13 years
2.Open bite beyond years
3. Crossbite
Knowing your child's stages of teeth development becomes an imperative part for providing an aptimal and a precise treatment in the field of orthodontics.
With basic knowledge about when to schedule an orthodontic referral, you can reduce both the cost as well as complexity of your orthodontic treatment.
Periodic checkups with your dentist will also help greatly in refining your child's smile.