Childhood orthodontics: when and how to correct the alignment of the teeth

On many occasions, the parents or the general dentist may feel that the child is going to need "dental device" when observing that the teeth are coming out crooked or crowded due to lack of space. But other times, the "suspicions" are not so obvious. It is the case of wrong bites They also need a corrective treatment. After six years, it is advisable to have a good dental check-up with a dentist specialist in orthodontics.

The Orthopedic treatment (placement of the bones of the mouth) and of Orthodontics (placement of teeth) is not just an aesthetic problem: "My son has crooked teeth, how ugly he is. We're going to put it on. "No parent can predict this diagnosis, because whoever is handsome or not is not the main reason to put on a dental appliance.


A perfectly aligned dentition, a good condition of the parts and some jaws correctly placed in their cranial structure, prevent many health problems. "The mouth is a means of transmitting many diseases and not taking care of it can lead to pathologies in other devices (respiratory, circulatory, etc.)," ​​says Dr. Natalia Solo de Zaldivar, a dentist and orthodontist.

Oral health: first visits to the orthodontist

The first visits with the oral health specialist should be carried out after 4 years and continue with the reviews approximately every six months or once a year. In these appointments, the state of the teeth (caries, enamel defects, etc.) and surrounding tissues (mucosa, gums, braces, etc.) will be evaluated. In addition, the child or patient will be taught the correct brushing technique.


It is this specialist who, as a general rule, will alert us to a possible defect of the denture or bite and will advise us to go to the orthodontist to determine if the child needs the so-called "dental device" or not. Orthodontics means in Greek "straight teeth".

When and at what age do you have to put braces or dental appliances?

There are some initial suspicions that may indicate that the child should be seen by an orthodontist: exit of a definitive tooth without having dropped the milk, or because someone "has left twisted", or several permanent teeth are crowded due to lack of space etc. But other times, there are no such obvious evidence: "There are children with teeth perfectly aligned but with an occlusion (bite) incorrect.This dysfunction must be corrected," says this specialist.

After a detailed study, carried out by the orthodontist (clinical history, x-rays, models), the specialist determines whether the child needs orthopedic or orthodontic treatment. It is not only the teeth that are placed, but also the jaws (upper and lower), that is, the bones where the denture is implanted. Do not forget that the mouth is part of the cranial structure. If a patient has their jaws misplaced with respect to their cranial structure, they must be put in place with a dental appliance. The correct placement of the bones of the mouth also prevents many diseases.


The device can be set from which the child start changing pieces (6 years) but in general, it is not convenient before 8 years, when the upper and lower incisors have already left. "We must keep in mind the dental replacement, that is, when the milk teeth fall and the definitive ones erupt." After six years, it is convenient to monitor the bite (if the final teeth have room to leave and position) because there are children They come late and the adjustment of the jaws and teeth becomes more complicated, "says Dr. Natalia Solo de Zaldivar.

Jaime Márquez
Advice: Dr. Natalia Solo from Zaldivar, medical dentist, orthodontic specialist.

Video: Correct Under Bites - No Surgery, No Braces


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