Orthotropics and dento-facial growth and development: Early orthodontic care in Nelson
Early orthodontic care
Children’s teeth, jaws and facial structures are constantly developing. Some orthodontic concerns can be addressed while a child is growing, while others are better left until later. Determining the right time to intervene is an important part of orthodontic care.
Why consider early treatment?
Early orthodontic assessment allows us to monitor how the teeth and jaws are developing and identify problems that may benefit from treatment during growth. Depending on the individual child, early treatment may be considered for:
Significant crowding
Crossbites
Developing jaw discrepancies
Problems with the eruption of permanent teeth
Lack of space for developing teeth
Significant overjet or deep bite
Not every orthodontic problem needs to be treated early. In some cases, the best approach is simply to monitor development and begin treatment when the timing is right.
Before treatment
After treatment
Dento-facial growth and development
During childhood, the face, jaw, teeth, muscles and oral functions develop together. Our assessment therefore looks beyond teeth positioning to understand the broader factors that may be relevant to a child’s dental and facial development.
For children younger than 13, this may include an orthotropic approach that focuses on guiding the healthy development of the jaws and facial structures during the formative years.
Depending on the individual child, we may consider:
Nasal breathing: Whether a child predominantly breathes through their nose or mouth
Tongue posture: The resting position and function of the tongue
Oral muscle function: How the lips, tongue and surrounding muscles contribute to oral function and the developing bite
Facial development: Facial balance and the relationship between the upper and lower jaws
Dental arch development: The width and shape of the arches and the space available for developing teeth
Working with growth
When treatment is indicated during growth, we aim to use the child’s natural development to our advantage. Addressing an appropriate problem at the right stage may improve the environment in which the permanent teeth and jaws develop and, in some cases, reduce the need for more extensive treatment later.
A key part of an orthotropic approach is encouraging healthy oral posture and function. This includes helping children develop the habit of resting their tongue on the roof of their mouth, keeping their lips together, and breathing comfortably through their nose. These patterns can support healthy development of the jaws, face and airway.
Where appropriate, treatment may include custom-made appliances alongside support from a myofunctional therapist. Through guided exercises and practical support, children can develop better strength and coordination of the muscles involved in breathing, chewing, swallowing and oral posture.
We have a range of orthodontic techniques and appliances available, allowing treatment to be tailored to the child and the problem being addressed.
Request an appointment online, or contact us to discuss our early orthodontic care.
If you are considering treatment for someone over age 13, visit our Orthodontics page.
