Orthodontics for children

For children whose permanent teeth have not all grown in, the orthodontists at Smile and Care use appliances to influence the growth of the palate and dental arches.

Dental braces are metal attachments bonded to the front of the teeth and connected by a metal arch. The braces can be made of metal or transparent ceramic, so as to be less conspicuous. This fixed appliance exerts continuous and regular pressure on the teeth in order to move them gently and progressively.

The earlier orthodontic treatment begins, the easier it is to intercept dental problems in children.

It is advisable to have an orthodontic screening consultation at around the age of 7, when children’s teeth are mixed, i.e. they have both milk teeth and permanent teeth. This procedure allows the orthodontist to treat or slow down a developing problem, which can avoid more complex and time-consuming corrective treatment later on.

Invisalign aligners are custom-made transparent plastic moulds that move the teeth continuously. They have the advantage of being almost invisible and removable. Invisalign is a progressive appliance comprising a series of aligners, the number of which varies depending on the length of the treatment.

In the most severe cases of prognathism, when the lower jaw is very prominent, it is possible to correct this problem from the age of 5-6 years. This type of ‘early’ treatment produces optimal results. Nevertheless, it is rare to begin orthodontic treatment on children so young.