Common Orthodontic Issues in Children and Why Early Treatment Matters [In-Depth Video]

All parents want to set their children up for a healthy future. And at Orthodontists Associates of Western New York, we’re proud to do our part by supporting your child’s oral health from an early age. Our doctors are very familiar with the common orthodontic issues that occur in children. Most of them involve a poor relationship between the upper and lower teeth, or a bite misalignment known as a malocclusion.

We advocate for early evaluations because they help us identify growth and bite concerns. If your child needs intervention, early treatment allows us to work with your child’s natural growth to correct problems before they worsen. In many cases, we can recognize the early signs of these issues before your child even has all their adult teeth.

Common Orthodontic Issues in Children

The orthodontic issues we see most often in children fall into two categories. The first is skeletal issues, which involve jaw alignment. The second is dental issues involving tooth position. Frequently, bite problems come down to how the lower jaw and teeth relate to the upper jaw and teeth. Addressing that relationship is much easier when we see children while their bones are still growing. Most issues that affect dental relationships or function are worth evaluating early.

Crowded Teeth

Crowded teeth rank among the most common issues we treat. When teeth run out of room, they start to cross, overlap, and rotate. This disrupts more than just the appearance of your child’s smile. Crowded teeth are more challenging to clean, and getting floss between teeth that have shifted is a real challenge. Left unaddressed, this increases the risk of cavities down the road.

When we spot early crowding concerns, we may recommend a palatal expander to gently widen the upper jaw and create more room for developing teeth. This approach falls under orthopedic orthodontics. The goal is to correct foundational issues, so teeth have a better environment to develop in as your child grows.

Bite Misalignments

A malocclusion is literally a “bad bite,” and it comes in several forms. An overbite occurs when the top teeth overlap too far over the lower ones. An underbite occurs when the lower jaw pushes too far forward. A crossbite occurs when one or more upper teeth rest inside the lower teeth. Each of these affects how your child’s jaw develops and functions. We prescribe specific orthodontic appliances to guide the jaw into a healthier position over time.

Gaps in Teeth

Spaces between teeth can shift the bite and, understandably, affect a child’s confidence in their smile. By treating your child with braces, we can close the gaps and bring the teeth into proper alignment.

Every child’s structure is different, and these are just some of the issues that can create problems as permanent teeth come in. Regardless of the concern, our goal is to build better skeletal and dental relations before that transition is complete.

Importance of Early Treatment

At Orthodontists Associates of WNY, early treatment shapes how we practice. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends screenings by age seven, and we stand behind that recommendation. When we evaluate children while they’re young, we can identify contributing factors to poor dental-facial development. From there, we can intervene at the right moment before those patterns become harder to correct.

We measure success simply: by the time your child’s last baby tooth falls out and the last permanent one comes in, we want them closer to ideal alignment, not further away. Our practice has treated children as young as four years old. We also do not charge for any consultations until treatment begins. So there is no cost to finding out whether early intervention could benefit your child.

Schedule a Free Consultation Today

Some orthodontic issues, like crowding and malocclusions, appear quite early. But early intervention sets your child up for healthier development. Our team is here to evaluate your child and answer any questions you might have about early intervention.

We don’t charge for appointments until we start treatment. So why wait and risk missing out on the advantages of early treatment? Contact Orthodontists Associates of Western New York today to schedule your free consultation at one of our seven locations near you.