What is Early Childhood Orthodontics?

Early childhood orthodontic treatment refers to the prevention of dental and jaw deformities and deformity trends (that is, the cause of dental and jaw deformities) that have been shown during the early growth and development stage of children (generally refers to before or during the peak period of puberty growth and development). , blocking, correcting and guiding therapy. It mainly includes the following three aspects: 1. Early prevention, 2. Early blocking, 3. Early growth control.

early prevention

It refers to the timely detection and removal of systemic and local adverse factors that affect the normal growth and development of teeth, alveolar bone, and jaw, or corrects minor abnormalities, so that the teeth and maxillofacial grow harmoniously. In fact, it is the discovery and removal of adverse effects Factors play a role in preventing the occurrence of malocclusion.

early blocking

It refers to the use of simple methods to treat the abnormal development of teeth, dentition, occlusal relationship and bone development caused by congenital or acquired factors, ongoing or preliminary manifestations, etc. The process allows it to adjust itself to establish a normal occlusal surface relationship. In plain language, if malocclusion is happening, orthodontists take some measures to block the process, so as to avoid adverse consequences.

early growth control

Early growth control refers to the use of occlusal surface growth guidance and jaw orthopedic treatment to promote and inhibit jaw growth for children with severe maxillary and mandibular developmental abnormalities and abnormal tendencies during the growth period. Change its growth direction, spatial position and proportional relationship to guide the normal growth of the craniomaxillofacial region.

Let's look at a set of photos:

In the early stages of children's growth, due to children's bad habits, oral problems such as uneven teeth, deep overbite, and underbite are prone to occur.

At present, the popularization of relevant knowledge about malocclusion in China has not been done well. Most parents still think that orthodontics must wait until the permanent teeth of the 12-year-old child are replaced. However, this is actually not accurate.

5-12 years old is a period of rapid growth and development of children's teeth. The child's hormone secretion is vigorous during sleep. Under the action of growth hormone, the child's maxillofacial area and teeth develop rapidly.

Research has found that 60% of children's maxillofacial growth and development is completed at the age of 4, 70% at the age of 7, and 90% at the age of 12.

Therefore, orthodontics at the age of 5 to 12 can achieve comfortable orthodontics and allow teeth to grow in the correct physiological direction.

The American Orthodontic Association recommends that children should have an orthodontic check-up no later than 7 years old.  

Simply put: the sooner you are treated, the shorter the time and the less expensive it is.

Correction of a malocclusion in which the upper and lower teeth do not mesh correctly is also the sooner the better.