Set Your Child Up For Success With Dentofacial Orthopedics in St. John
If you can head off a problem in the early stages, you can save yourself a lot of trouble down the road. That’s the idea behind dentofacial orthopedics in St. John, IN. This process can:
we can shape a perfect smile
Read Transcript
we can shape a perfect smile
Dentofacial orthopedics is a topic that I'm truly passionate about as an orthodontist because as orthodontists, we can not only put your teeth into a better position, but we also have the ability and techniques to be able to influence the growth of the jaws. For example, if one of the jaws has outpaced the growth of the opposing jaw, which basically means you have an excessively weak or strong chin, we have different appliances that can help the jaw that's lagging behind to catch up in growth with the opposing jaw. If your upper jaw is too narrow relative to the lower jaw, causing you to bite into a crossbite or to have to shift your jaw to the side to be able to bite down fully, we also have the ability to widen your upper jaw so your teeth can bite together in harmony every time you chew down.
It's always better to attempt to intercept these problems at a younger age, and that's exactly why we always recommend patients come in for their initial consult at about the age of 7. If you think your child has a problem with jaw growth or any other sort of dental issue or orthodontic issue, please bring them in for a free orthodontic consultation, and we'll see if dentofacial orthopedics or traditional braces is right for them.
- Guide how facial bones and jawbones develop
- Make orthodontic treatment easier
- Help prevent the need for oral surgery later
Through preventive care, we can help your child have a healthier, nicer smile for a lifetime. To find out more, call 219-440-6512 to plan a consultation with Dr. Randy Schmidt or Dr. Evan Schmidt at Orthodontic Alliances.
Take Action Now For a Better Smile Later
By age 7, most kids have a combination of permanent and primary teeth. That makes this a good time to schedule an orthodontic exam. That’s the recommendation of the American Association of Orthodontists, and it’s something our orthodontists are happy to do for your family.
Most kids won’t need interceptive care at this point, but for those who do, dentofacial orthopedics can make a world of difference down the road. If there’s too much or too little bone or abnormal bone development, we want to know as soon as we can. In many cases, we can take steps to guide how their bones grow. This gives teeth a better chance to erupt correctly or to minimize the issues with crooked or crowded teeth. We also can help if a tooth falls out too soon. A space maintainer can preserve that space until the permanent tooth comes in.
To be clear, your child will probably still need braces or Invisalign, but this early intervention can make those treatments go more smoothly when the time comes.
Be Proactive to Improve Their Smile
Every parent wants their kids to be happy and healthy. A straight smile is good for oral health because it makes brushing and flossing more effective. By taking steps to deal with alignment issues when your kids are younger, they can get more benefits from orthodontic care.
If you have a child around 7 years old, schedule an examination at Orthodontic Alliances. Find out if our dentofacial orthopedics in St. John, IN could help. Call 219-440-6512 to request an appointment.
