Orthodontics
During your child’s consultation with a specialist paediatric dentist, we will assess your child’s teeth, alignment and need for orthodontic treatment. Children go through many stages of growth and development from tots to teens. At Children’s Dentistry, we will carefully assess your child’s orthodontic status and continue to monitor your child’s orthodontic development at each continuing care appointment. When appropriate, we will recommend strategies, should there be any concerns. This may involve an orthodontist consultation that we will recommend when your child is in the right dental stage, often timed to match the mixed dentition stage (middle to late primary school) or in the complete permanent dentition stage (teenager). We work with many experienced orthodontists across Melbourne, and we will recommend and refer you to the best orthodontist for your child, such as an orthodontist that is conveniently located close to your home suburb, work, or school.
Some signs that may suggest your child may benefit from orthodontic treatment include:
- crowding or spacing of teeth
- aesthetic concerns
- teeth that are misaligned
- protruding teeth
- teeth that do not meet together
- teeth that meet in an irregular manner
- chronic habits e.g. continued thumb or finger sucking
- jaw discrepancies
How orthodontic treatment works
Orthodontic appliances are usually constructed from metal, acrylic, plastic or ceramic. They come in two general forms, either as removable appliances – orthodontic appliances which are not fixed or glued into the mouth, or fixed appliances – orthodontic appliances which are glued to the teeth.
- removable appliances include: anti-thumb sucking appliances which are not glued into the mouth, removable plates
- fixed appliances include: braces, anti-thumb sucking appliances which are glued to teeth, space maintainers
Orthodontic separators
Orthodontic separators are small rubber bands which are sometimes placed between teeth to create space and prepare the teeth for placement of fixed appliances, space maintainers, or crowns. In some cases, separators are placed between teeth to help upright a mildly impacted molar tooth.
Click here to download ‘Separators’ brochure
Interceptive orthodontics
After establishing a good oral hygiene regime and once the child has a healthy dentition, in some cases, a child may benefit from interceptive orthodontic treatment. Interceptive orthodontic treatment includes early treatment of some specific orthodontic problems with the use of plates, fixed appliances or partial braces. In some cases, interceptive orthodontics may provide initial correction of orthodontic problems during a child’s primary school age. Often, the child may still require comprehensive orthodontic care, such as braces of all teeth, at a later stage of life.
Other interceptive orthodontic options include habit-breaking appliances to help prevent thumb and finger sucking.
Braces
Dental braces are a form of fixed orthodontic treatment that help to straighten teeth. In most cases, metal or clear brackets are used and bonded to the teeth, in conjunction with arch wires, which are threaded into the braces.
Clear aligners including Invisalign
More recently, there is the option of clear aligners, such as Invisalign, which also straightens teeth. This involves a series of custom-made clear aligners, which are worn at day and night. This negates the need for metal brackets or wires. Your orthodontist will discuss which option is the best choice for your child.