How do you know whether your child needs the help of orthodontics in Rochester? While you might think it’s mainly a solution for crooked teeth, there are other oral health issues it can address. In particular, if your little one develops a misaligned jaw, their oral health could be at risk in the long run. The good news is that with your orthodontist’s help, you can get your child’s jawbone development back on track so that they can look forward to a healthy, functional smile in the future!
How Can Your Child Develop a Misaligned Jaw?
There are several factors that could affect your child’s facial and oral development. For example, if your little one frequently breathes through their mouth, it could cause their facial muscles to pull on the jawbones in an abnormal way and slowly deform them, resulting in mismatched teeth and jaws. Furthermore, habits like thumb-sucking and finger-sucking put pressure on the teeth and jawbone, and that in turn can affect their growth. Other factors include poor tongue position and adverse swallowing patterns that can disrupt jaw development.
Of course, in some cases the issue is simply genetic. That’s why it’s recommended to bring your child to an orthodontist as soon as possible. Regular dental appointments are also crucial for making sure development is occurring as expected.
Why Does a Misaligned Jaw Need to Be Corrected?
A misaligned jaw can make it difficult to chew properly, and it can even affect breathing. It also causes an embarrassing overbite or underbite that can leave your child feeling self-conscious. It’s better to have these issues addressed as early as possible before they start having an adverse effect on your little one’s life.
What Kind of Orthodontic Treatment Can Treat Jaw Misalignment?
When it comes to correcting bite problems, your orthodontist can offer a lot more than just braces! Dentofacial orthopedic appliances can help change the rate, direction or amount of jaw growth in your child’s mouth. Some common appliances for this purpose include:
- Palate Expanders: These fixed devices will help push the cartilage above the upper jaw apart so that there’s plenty of room of the teeth.
- Activators: These devices help move the upper or lower jaws forward too help guide erupting teeth.
- Orthodontic Headgear: If the issue can’t be corrected from inside the mouth, this device can be strapped to the face and apply the necessary forces to the jaw and head.
These are just a few examples of potential treatments. Ask your orthodontist in Rochester what kind of dentofacial orthopedics they might offer. With the right treatment guiding your child’s development, they can enjoy the better smile they deserve well into their adult years.
About the Author
Dr. Stan Drabik has been practicing orthodontic care for over 20 years and remains as passionate as every when it comes to helping his patients. At Drabik Orthodontics, he offers dentofacial orthopedics to help correct jaw development issues in addition to traditional braces that straighten crooked teeth. To schedule an appointment for you or your child, visit his website or call (585) 872-4660.