Pediatric Orthodontics in Cincinnati & Harrison, OH

If your kids have spacing or alignment issues with their baby teeth, you may assume they’ll go away as adult teeth come in. However, early issues can carry over, resulting in crowded or protruding teeth. What can you do to mitigate these problems?

The answer is pediatric orthodontics. With the help of the premier orthodontist in Cincinnati and Harrison, Ohio, your kids can get beautiful teeth as they grow up.

Why Do Children Need Pediatric Orthodontics?

A certain amount of irregular spacing or positioning is expected with baby teeth. Still, when those issues are severe, it can lead to eating, speech, and jaw alignment problems. While it’s possible to correct many of these concerns with braces in adolescence, treating issues early can offer several benefits.

Prevent the Need for Braces

In some cases, early treatment can prevent the need for braces altogether. By addressing spacing issues with baby teeth, adult teeth can grow in the correct position. Similarly, treating overcrowding can prevent adult teeth from being pushed in the wrong direction.

Improve the Probability of Successful Braces Outcomes

Even if the issues aren’t completely alleviated, early treatment can lay the foundation for successful orthodontic work later on. Adult teeth may still come through protruding or incorrectly spaced, but the early work done makes it easier to fix them. The result is a higher chance of perfect teeth with fewer adjustments and a shorter timeline.

What Are the Signs Your Child Can Benefit From Pediatric Orthodontics?

How can you tell what’s normal for baby teeth and what’s a serious issue? First, if you have any concerns, you should make an appointment with Boley Braces at our Harrison or Cincinnati, Ohio, location. We’ll conduct an examination to determine the extent of the problem. Often, the issue isn’t too severe and only requires monitoring as adult teeth come in.

However, there are a few sure signs that you should seek pediatric orthodontic care. If you notice any of the following, your child may need early treatment.

Overbite

While most people have a slight overbite, significant overlapping of front teeth can lead to several health concerns:

• Temporomandibular joint disorders
• Jaw pain
• Tooth decay

When the overlap is extreme, it’s called a deep bite, which causes the same problems. Early treatment can reduce the degree of an overbite, preventing complications.

Crossbite

Crossbites are often the product of distorted bone and can be most easily addressed while the jaw is still developing. The most prominent characteristic of crossbites is the lower teeth fitting around the upper teeth instead of vice versa. Crossbites can affect one tooth or multiple teeth.

Underbite

An underbite is the opposite of an overbite: The lower teeth overlap the upper teeth. Unlike crossbites, underbites affect the entire jaw and are typically caused by unequal jaw growth.

Crowding

Everyone develops the same amount of teeth, but not everyone has the same jaw size. Individuals with smaller jaws may not have room for all their teeth. In children, the issue may be that they simply haven’t grown enough to accommodate the larger adult set.

What Are Common Pediatric Orthodontics Treatments?

Unlike orthodontics employed in adolescence, early treatments are minimally invasive. Tackling issues when children are six or seven means less discomfort down the road.

What can you expect from the process? Before determining the course of treatment, orthodontists make a visual examination and take x-rays, which will allow them to see the alignment of the jaw, baby teeth, and adult teeth below the surface. Then, they may recommend spacers to correct placement or extract specific teeth to prevent or correct overcrowding. 

Spacers

Many people get spacers before braces as part of the preparation process. These small metal or rubber rings fit between teeth that are too close together. While they may be uncomfortable at first, the pressure eases over time as the teeth move further apart.

Spacer placement and removal are quick compared to the braces process, which is why they’re a preferable alternative when available. While braces may still be required after adult teeth come in, spacers can minimize the amount of work needed.

Extractions

Pulling baby teeth may sound extreme, but when larger adult teeth are in danger of being crowded, it may be necessary. If the jaw isn’t yet large enough to accommodate all adult teeth, they risk becoming misaligned as they grow in. Extracting baby teeth is an easy way to ensure there’s enough room for adult teeth to emerge correctly.

Contact Our Cincinnati or Harrison Offices

Are you looking for an orthodontist in the Cincinnati or Harrison, Ohio, area? Boley Braces helps people of all ages get smiles they’re proud to show off. Dr. Boley is certified by the American Board of Orthodontics, and his office utilizes the latest technology to ensure your visit is comfortable and convenient.

To find out more or to schedule an appointment, give us a call at (513) 347-9222 for our Muddy Creek office or (513) 367-2673 for our Harrison office. You can also contact us via our online form.

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