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As orthodontic technology has improved throughout the years, so have the different appliances that are used to treat children with braces. Depending on their jaw and bone structure, your child may need an orthodontic device to help guide their teeth and jaw into proper alignment. These orthodontic appliances are used to maintain space in the mouth and allow for proper tooth eruption and movement. Find out what types of appliances are available and which is best for your child\u2019s needs through these tips!<\/p>\n
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Many, if not most, dental patients will receive some form of orthodontic treatment during their lifetime. Even if one\u2019s teeth doesn\u2019t show any kind of orthodontic issues, it is advantageous that patients, especially children, visit with an orthodontist to maintain good oral health. The American Association of Orthodontics<\/a> recommends that children have their first orthodontic visit between the ages of 7 and 8 to prevent the progression of any orthodontic issues that may already be developing. Orthodontic treatment can lead to healthy, beautiful smiles at any age, but is most beneficial when completed at an earlier age. Some benefits of visiting the orthodontist early on include observing the progress of incoming teeth, reducing the risk of impacted teeth<\/a>, and monitoring facial and jaw development. Early orthodontic evaluations can discover hidden dental issues and decrease the risk for permanent teeth extractions, as well. Early detection of any dental issue is vital in maintaining good oral health for patients of all ages, and should be a goal that all children should obtain from an early age.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Whenever patients think of \u201corthodontia,\u201d they typically think of braces. For young patients, braces are common orthodontic appliances that they can receive to straighten their teeth and correct any dental issues. Child orthodontics includes other appliances than just braces, though, and these appliances fulfill an important function in your child\u2019s overall treatment. Orthodontic appliances change the way your child\u2019s mouth works by correcting certain bone problems. Headgear<\/a>, for example, guides the jaw into the proper direction by holding the upper jaw until the lower jaw can catch up with it. Retainers are other useful tools that keep teeth in the correct position after braces are removed, and most children will use some type of retainer during or after their treatment.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n There are other orthodontic appliances that aren\u2019t as well known but are used quite often in child orthodontics. The Nance \u201cButton\u201d<\/a> is one of those appliances that uses a holding arch to maintain space in the mouth for children who have lost their baby teeth and are waiting for permanent teeth to grow in. If baby teeth are lost prematurely, the first molars might move forward into an incorrect position as they erupt because there is nothing holding them back. The Nance is an acrylic plate (the button) that covers a section of the palate with two metal bands around the back teeth to hold them into position until permanent teeth develop. This process helps maintain the proper space for permanent teeth to grow into. Another less-known appliance is the lower lingual holding arch, which does the same thing as the Nance but for the lower teeth. Two metal bands are cemented to the lower molars, joined by a U-shaped bar that rests behind the lower teeth. This keeps the back teeth from moving forward and maintains the space needed for future permanent teeth to erupt. Lastly, twin blocks<\/a> are used to correct misalignments in the jaw that cause your child\u2019s top teeth to stick out in front of the lower teeth further than normal. The blocks consist of two plates, one on the upper teeth and the other on the lower. These work together to bring your child\u2019s lower jaw forward into the correct position, but is most successful when inserted while your child\u2019s bones are still growing. They are the fastest-working appliances, and create quick results. Any of these appliances can be used in your child\u2019s orthodontic treatment, so if you have questions about how they function or which one would be best to implement, make sure to ask your orthodontist.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Most adult teeth erupt between the ages of 6 and 12, so whenever your child\u2019s first permanent molars begin developing, the dentist will need to evaluate them to see how they work together. This process is called a \u201cbite check<\/a>,\u201d and it helps orthodontists determine in what stage your child\u2019s teeth are and what their treatment will require. The dentist will then decide which type of appliance would work best for your child and what instructions they will need to follow to get the best results out of their treatment. When using an orthodontic appliance, good oral hygiene will be necessary to prevent plaque<\/a> buildup and other dental complications that could extend your child\u2019s treatment time. Having your child brush and floss their teeth every day, along with cleaning whichever orthodontic appliance they\u2019re given, will ensure that they get the healthiest and fastest treatment possible.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If your child is due for an orthodontic visit, or if they\u2019re experiencing any of the orthodontic issues that we\u2019ve discussed, call Belmar Orthodontics at (303) 225-9016 for a consultation to improve their oral health. Our dedicated team is ready to help you create a plan for your child to get them the smile that they deserve!<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" As orthodontic technology has improved throughout the years, so have […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[451,689,696,676,743,427,744,452,440,674],"tags":[459,455,494,507,456,741,742,514,457,710,480,525,501,653,745],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nTypes of Appliances
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<\/h2>\nWhat To Expect At The First Appointment<\/h2>\n