Orthodontics is all about prevention. While orthodontic technology has made it much easier to treat orthodontic problems after they form, orthodontists still spend most of their time treating malocclusions before they become serious. That’s why children make up the majority of most orthodontists’ patients. Kids are still growing, which makes it easier for orthodontists to detect misalignment issues as they’re developing, rather than after the fact.
If you wish to discuss these issues with an orthodontist, Ottawa has numerous licensed orthodontic practitioners who can guide you through the possible treatment options for the issue you or your child is having. If you don’t already have an orthodontist, Ottawa has some great resources for finding one. In addition to simply Googling “Orthodontist Ottawa,” you can also ask your dentist to refer you to someone, or you can consult the Orthodontist Ottawa section of the Canadian Association of Orthodontics website.
If your orthodontist finds a malocclusion that needs treatment, here are some of the options that may be used.
Braces: Braces use metal fixtures attached to the teeth to help force the jaw into a better alignment. They’re used to treat a variety of serious misalignment issues, and the length of treatment can last anywhere from several months to several years. Because they are so versatile and effective, they’re among the most common orthodontic treatments.
Dental headgear: Dental headgear operates in a similar way to braces, but instead of staying in the mouth at all times, it’s usually worn only at night when the patient is sleeping. Most types of headgear use an implement that goes into the mouth along with two placeholders that attach to the forehead and jaw. When worn every night over a period of months or years, this gradually pushes the jaw into alignment.
Retainers: Retainers are a slightly less cumbersome version of dental headgear. The entire implement can fit inside the mouth, which makes it less detrimental to sleep and easier to wear during non-sleep times, if necessary.
Space maintainers: When a young child loses a baby tooth, it can take quite a long time for the permanent tooth to begin to grow in. For children with small narrow jaws, it’s not uncommon for the surrounding teeth to begin moving into that empty space. If not treated, this can lead to serious misalignment issues later on. If your child is at the age where he or she is beginning to lose teeth, you might want to see your orthodontist Ottawa about using space maintainers to keep those other teeth from drifting over. They may not be needed, but it can’t hurt to ask.
Thumb-sucking prevention: Thumb and finger sucking are among the most frequent causes of misalignment issues in young children. If you’ve tried everything but can’t seem to get your child to give up this habit, you might want to talk to your orthodontist about possibly implanting an in-mouth implement to help stop this habit.
Cross-bite fixes: When the upper teeth toward the back of the jaw fit inside the lower ones, it’s known as crossbite. This condition can seriously hamper one’s ability to chew properly, and it can also lead to gum problems. If your orthodontist detects a crossbite in your child, you might want to consider using a device to spread the upper jaw.
