Nowadays, not only parents but also the kids are concerned about how their teeth look like. They be aware and point out where the problems are. However, treatment time is a critical factor to think of. When to start the treatment ? Shall we wait til the permanent teeth erupt? Shall we act earlier? The article below is going to take about this.
According to American Association of Pediatric Dentistry, in the early mixed dentition stage (6 to 9 years of age), treatment should be considered to address the following problems: a. habits; b. arch length shortage; c. intervention for crowded incisors; d. intervention for ectopic teeth; e. holding of leeway space; f. crossbites; g. openbite; h. surgical needs; and i. adverse skeletal growth.
A. Habit
i. Thumb sucking
Long-term nonnutritive sucking habits (e.g., pacifier use, thumb/finger sucking) have been associated with anterior open bite ( front teeth cannot close and touch together) and posterior crossbite ( Back teeth cannot close and touch together).
Non-nutritive sucking habits until 3 years of age are normal, but persistence of these habits beyond age 3 significantly increases the probability of developing undesirable dentoalveolar characteristics at the end of the deciduous dentition stage.
Treatment:
Breaking the Habit:
Nail polish for reminder
ii. Tongue thrusting
Tongue thrusting, an abnormal tongue position and deviation from the normal swallowing pattern, may be associated with anterior open bite, abnormal speech, and anterior protrusion of the maxillary incisors.(If resting tongue posture is normal, a tongue thrust swallow has no clinical significance).
Treatment:
Orthodontic appliance such as tongue crib can be made and used. Usually it is worn for
six to 12 months.
Tongue crib
Source:
Recognizing and correcting developing malocclusions A problem‐oriented approach to orthodontics
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