Orthodontic Treatment in Children;
The age of first orthodontic examination is 7 years old, when the primary incisors have replaced by the permanent ones and the first permanent molars have erupted. Treatments that require early intervention in children at an early age include the treatments applied during the period including pre-adolescent growth spurt (peak period) starting from 7 years old. Early diagnosis and treatment are important because a series of problems that can extend to surgical solutions in the future can be prevented or prevented from becoming permanent, which can be achieved with orthodontic treatments in this age range. In this age group of children; if there are situations beyond the normal such as early loss of primary teeth, mouth breathing, undesirable habits like thumb sucking, crowding of primary teeth (normally we expect spaces), skeletal jaw incompatibilities, anterior open-bite, functional shifting of the lower jaw to one side due to the narrow upper jaw, it is necessary to consult an orthodontist as soon as possible.
Preventive Treatments;
Even if there is no orthodontic or skeletal malocclusion, preventive orthodontic treatments are applied to preserve the space of lost primary teeth until the permanent teeth erupt underneath, so that the erupting permanent teeth do not remain impacted or erupt from a different area. Additionally, existing skeletal problems are identified at this age, and evaluations are made to prevent dental and/or skeletal problems that may occur in the future if unwanted conditions such as mouth breathing, thumb sucking are present. In other words, preventive orthodontic treatments are applied to eliminate or alleviate the need for orthodontic treatment that may arise in the future.
Invisalign First Treatments and Treatments with Removable Appliances;
In cases requiring early treatment while there are still primary teeth in the mouth, mild corrections can be made with removable appliances, such as correction of single tooth or group of teeth crossbites or expansion of the upper arch. However, with removable appliances, dental malocclusions cannot be corrected in detail. With Invisalign First treatments, a wider range of corrections can be achieved in addition to the problems solved with removable appliances. Clear aligners or removable appliances require 20 hours of use per day, only being removed during eating and drinking.
Functional Jaw Orthopedics;
Thanks to orthodontics, it is possible to treat upper/lower jaw discrepancies in growing patients by taking advantage of the child's active growth potential. This means that with the correct diagnosis and timely treatment, the potential need for jaw surgery in the future can be eliminated. Extraoral appliances and functional treatments activate the growth of a deficient jaw or suppress/guide the excessive growth of the jaw. Applications include face-mask in cases of upper jaw deficiency, headgear in cases of projected upper jaw, functional appliances or Invisalign MA treatments to activate the growth of the lower jaw in cases of lower jaw deficiency.