When is the right time to ask about orthodontics?

Posted on January 10, 2012 by Kristine

There is a general recommendation by the Association of Orthodontists to have your child seen by an Orthodontist by age seven. While the majority of children at this age do not need any Orthodontic treatment, there is a significant percentage that do need early interceptive orthodontic treatment.

The key word here is “interceptive,” meaning that orthodontic treatment at this early age is intercepting a problem that left untreated would require more extensive treatment later or not be able to be treated with orthodontics alone.

Here are some of the problems that would be best corrected early (before all the adult teeth are in place.)

Severe crowding of the teeth. Your child has lost some baby teeth and the adult teeth that are coming in are sideways, up to high, behind other teeth or maybe not coming in at all. Instead of removing baby and adult teeth, your child can have early treatment that will make room for all the adult teeth and therefore save them from any extractions of baby and adult teeth.
A crossbite. This is when the lower jaw shifts to one side. You may notice that your child chews funny or that when they are biting down their face appears slightly off center. A crossbite is usually a problem with the growth of the upper jaw and is best corrected before age 10.
An underbite. The lower jaw bites in front of the upper jaw. This type of bite problem is caused by a growth problem in the upper jaw and is best corrected during a child’s active growth phase. This type of problem in particular, if not treated early will often result in jaw surgery as a young adult.
A thumb or finger sucking habit, severe tongue thrust or other oral habits. Most children, who suck their thumbs and/or fingers for a prolonged period of time, will cause some deformation of the shape of the upper jaw. This alteration in the shape of the upper jaw can cause crowding problems, airway problems and bite problems. A simple, fixed appliance is generally used to correct this persistent habit.
Severe mouth breathing, grinding of the teeth, or airway issues. All these are related to your child’s jaw growth and development. Again a growth problem that is best corrected early while your child is still growing.
Severe overbites. Depending on the severity of your child’s overbite, this can be corrected early with the use of removable retainers. With excellent cooperation, these removable retainers will often eliminate the need for more extensive orthodontic work later.

If your child has any of the above problems, you do not need a referral from your family dentist. You can call an Orthodontist directly and make an appointment for a consultation. Even if you are not sure, a free consultation with Dr. Hukmani will give you an overview of your child’s current growth and development and give you valuable insight into any future orthodontic needs that your child may have.

Reasons You May Need Two Phases of Treatment to Correct Your Teeth

Posted on October 12, 2011 by Kristine

For most kids, one round of orthodontic treatment isn’t exactly their idea of a great time, let alone two rounds of treatment. If you help them to understand the importance of orthodontic treatment and the resulting beautiful smile, they may jump on board with the idea.

Not every Leesburg or Ashburn parent will have to deal with this issue, but for some patients, two rounds of orthodontics are needed.

Generally, the reason behind two-phase orthodontic treatment is to make early corrections in the jaw and bite while the child is still growing and developing.

Since the American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children be evaluated by an orthodontist by the age of seven, Leesburg and Ashburn parents should try to have their children evaluated at a relatively young age. The purpose of the early evaluations is to diagnose and treat developing problems related to jaw growth or tooth eruption. From there, the orthodontic treatment may be split into two phases:

Interceptive orthodontic treatment: This first phase will aim to correct a problem in the growth of the jaw or the eruption of teeth. This may involve things like palatal expanders or having braces put on just a few teeth. The goal is to ward off more advanced future work, like surgeries.
Full orthodontic braces: Once the patient’s development has progressed, the second stage of orthodontic treatment begins. This usually includes a full set of braces, which will begin to correct the alignment of the teeth.

Two-phase treatment is not for everybody. Ultimately, the decision will be made by you and your orthodontist. But Leesburg and Ashburn kids can rest assured, knowing that, while two-phase treatment may require a little more time, in the end, they will wind up with a great smile.

For more information on all orthodontic treatments or to set up a consultation for you or your child, contact us at Lansdowne Orthodontics.

Are You Considering Orthodontic Treatment?

Posted on August 6, 2011 by Kristine

It is never too late or too early to get great results with quality orthodontic treatment. Browse through these helpful resources to learn more about the benefits of adult braces and early orthodontic care.

It’s no surprise that more adults are getting braces than ever before; in addition to the numerous health, social, and cosmetic benefits to adult braces, orthodontic appliances have advanced significantly in the past few decades. Read this article from the Los Angeles Times to learn more.
While your orthodontist can provide you with specific details, you can learn more about the basics of braces from MedicineNet.com.
One of the hazards of delaying treatment into adulthood is that surgery or other methods may be required to make room for adjustments. This overview from WebMD lists some common orthodontic treatments for adults.
Early phase orthodontics, also known as interceptive orthodontics, is the process of prematurely guiding the development of permanent teeth in children. Take a look at this article from the Colgate website to learn how early orthodontics may mean less treatment later.
Only an orthodontist can utilize braces and other orthodontic appliances to provide you with the best smile possible. If you live in Ashburn, Leesburg, or the surrounding areas, then consider Lansdowne Orthodontics where we “create beautiful faces one smile at a time.” To schedule an appointment or inquire about our services, call 703-858-3600.