How Do Braces Solve the Problem?
Braces use gentle pressure to move the teeth back into their correct position, improving both the aesthetics and the health of your child’s mouth. Before we begin treatment, Dr. Robertson will meet with you and your child to discuss your goals and treatment options. We’ll work with you to create a treatment plan that meets your child’s needs.
While orthodontic treatment is often associated with the teenage years, it’s often beneficial to begin treatment earlier. Palatal arch expansion with an expander creates room in the mouth and can eliminate the problems of crowding and crossbite without the need for extractions. For the most successful expansion, this should be done before the growth plate fuses, which happens around the age of 14 to 16. Bringing your child in early for an orthodontic evaluation gives us more treatment options and can simplify future orthodontic care.
When treatment begins, Dr. Robertson may place an expander before the brackets are bonded. Once the brackets are bonded, wires will be run along them and tightened slightly. This creates steady pressure that causes the teeth to loosen somewhat so they can be moved into the correct position. The pressure is slowly adjusted to guide the teeth into the proper position.
Many parents (and their kids) groan at the thought of being in braces for a couple of years, but the reality is that it’s important to take our time when moving teeth. If we try to speed up the process, the teeth and the underlying bone structure could be damaged, and nobody wants that to happen.
Once the brackets, wires, and elastics are placed, you’ll return to our office periodically so Dr. Robertson can check your child’s progress and make any necessary adjustments. We’ll also provide self-care instructions to keep your braces and teeth in excellent shape.
Contact Our Irvine, CA Dental Clinic
To learn more about braces for children and orthodontics, please call our Irvine dental office today to schedule a consultation with Dr. Jeff Robertson.