For those patients who have clear indications for early intervention, early treatment presents the opportunity to:
- influence jaw growth in a positive manner
- harmonise width of the dental arches
- improve eruption patterns
- lower risk of trauma to protruded upper incisors
- correct harmful oral habits
- improve aesthetics and self-esteem
- simplify and/or shorten treatment time for later corrective orthodontics
- reduce likelihood of impacted permanent teeth
- improve some speech problems
- preserve or gain space for erupting permanent teeth.
Early orthodontic screening can lead to simpler, more effective treatment for dental patients, or the least, greater peace of mind.
Puberty
By the time a child reaches puberty there is limited opportunity for bone development. In these situations, the possibility of tooth removal is more likely if there is no space to align all teeth correctly.
We usually use nickel-titanium wires. Nickel titanium is soft on the teeth – about 25 per cent of the stiffness of steel.
It causes very little to no discomfort, but braces are not a quick procedure. Wearing braces to get a desired result can take anything from up to 18 to 24 months.
