Kinder Orthodontics: Don't wait until it's too late
Ernest Rider, DDS

Physicians and dentists agree parents want the best possible healthcare for their children and when given proper information from someone they trust, will make good decisions. However, without valid, up-to-date information, the advice offered by professionals may be drawn from an outdated or obsolete data base. Regarding orthodontics, some professionals may be basing decisions on information which used to be the best wisdom available: namely, bony jaw growth is not alterable and the orthodontist can only effect changes in tooth position. Therefore, parents should wait until their children are more mature to deal with orthodontic problems (ages 12 to 14). This does lead to simple, convenient solutions: cookbook diagnosis, short treatment time, surgery in some cases and, of course, straight teeth. Yet many of these children will have been denied really optimum treatment results because the treatment vision was too constricted, too narrow.

Well, orthodontics is still about "straight teeth", however, new and exciting technology, directed at improving facial and jaw development in young children that produces beautiful joyous smiles that last a lifetime and at the same time, enhance self-esteem and minimize peer derision, has become the new orthodontic paradigm. Children in their attempt to have fun can be cruel and tease each other unmercifully. The smallest imperfection is magnified. Teeth and jaws are the most visible parts of a child's smile and frequently are prime targets of derisive remarks Sometimes memories of these derisive experiences last for years.

Today's modern orthodontist is much more sophisticated in understanding and managing aspects of facial, jaw and upper airway development that impact and improve the smile. The new paradigm that has developed is referred to as "comprehensive, multi-phasic, orthopedic orthodontics"; initiated in pre-school or early elementary school, it is designed to idealize facial growth, maximize the smile potential, improve the upper airway and provide space for all the permanent teeth.

If you have been told to wait until your child is older to begin orthodontics, you owe it to yourself and your child to investigate the new modern paradigm in orthodontics.

It is important for parents to understand about the facial skeletal development of their children. The greatest increments of a child's growth occur early. From birth to 6 months, weight doubles; during the first three years of life, height doubles. These increments are never duplicated again in such short time spans. At birth, 30% of facial growth is completed and by age one, 50%; then by age four, 60%; eight, 80%; twelve, 90%; and eighteen, 100%.

Based on this knowledge, children should be seen at least by AGE 4 by an orthodontic specialist who understands facial development and specializes in kinderorthodontics. This visit is to evaluate facial development and offer advice regarding the proper time to start needed treatment. In addition, this is the best time to begin to help a child with a thumb- or finger-sucking habit and to assess a child's nasal breathing capacity as it relates to facial development. Your pediatrician or your dentist should be asked for a referral to a trained orthodontist.

Certainly it makes sense to begin treatment in young children before the permanent teeth erupt to assure best use of the potential growth still available. When a child is eight years old, 80% of head size is complete and the orthodontist has only 20% of the total growth of the face to influence, utilize and augment orthopedically and orthodontically. By the time a child reaches age twelve, 90% of head size is complete and the orthodontist has even less to work with and often must extract permanent teeth or subject the child to jaw surgery to facilitate treatment.

Clearly, there is a tremendous advantage in treating orthodontic and facial development problems at an early age; however, some people may still cling to the old ways and believe orthodontic treatment should not begin until age twelve or until all the permanent teeth erupt. The fact is this is much too late for effective treatment of many orthodontic problems. When parents wait too long, their children may go through their critical growing years consciously or unconsciously concerned about their face and dental appearance, this may adversely affect school performance, psychosocial development and future success in life.

Since newborns must breathe through their noses in order to suckle and nasal respiration is the most natural form of breathing, it is important that every effort be made to maintain an open nasal airway throughout life. Proper nutritional counseling and allergy control are extremely important; however, it is well known that poor breathing habits also are associated with many dentofacial disharmonies. When an upper airway problem exists, your orthopedic orthodontist must work in cooperation with you, your pediatrician and your otolaryngologist to promote and maintain a patent airway.
Fortunately, young children are surprisingly receptive, willing and eager to follow treatment instructions and they are more responsive to supervision, direction and suggestion. In addition, they are more easily motivated to comply with treatment methods that would be less acceptable to teenagers.

Today, dentists and pediatricians have an understanding, knowledge and experience of the longterm benefits of guided care of the growing face, jaws and teeth and thus routinely refer young children for orthodontic treatment. Now that parents recognize there is more to orthodontics than just straight teeth, they will want to insist their children receive proper care and take the matter of referral into their own hands, if necessary.

Jaw-altering devices used appropriately in young children dramatically alter and align the bony dimensions of the face and jaws while enhancing nasal breathing. In addition to providing more space for the teeth and virtually eliminating the need to extract permanent teeth, the treatment provides proper tongue space for improved speech and swallowing while promoting self-esteem because of the improved facial and dental appearance.

A proper diagnosis and treatment plan cannot be made from an examination alone. To plan the most favorable dentofacial changes during treatment, the trained specialist also uses highly sophisticated diagnostic x-rays and video imaging to determine those skeletal components that are dystrophic or require careful control.

The orthodontist can balance and harmonize a child's growth at a very early age to allow the child to benefit beyond just having straight teeth. Having nicely aligned teeth is a small yet important part of the evaluation of the successfully treated case. The true measure of success, however, is reflected in the total dentofacial balance achieved. With appropriately timed early treatment, this balance is most often dramatically improved.

Your pediatrician, pedodontist or dentist will want to refer your child to a properly trained, certified orthodontist. If you have any questions or concern about your child's orthodontic needs, please ask your pediatrician or dentist to refer you to a trained orthodontic specialist. You may check the Yellow Pages under Orthodontists or call the American Association of Orthodontists at 800/424-2841. Competent care will prove to be the most beneficial and least expensive in the long run.

Fortunately, young children are surprisingly receptive, willing and eager to follow treatment instructions and they are more responsive to supervision, direction and suggestion. In addition, they are more easily motivated to comply with treatment methods that would be less acceptable to teenagers.

Today, dentists and pediatricians have an understanding, knowledge and experience of the longterm benefits of guided care of the growing face, jaws and teeth and thus routinely refer young children for orthodontic treatment. Now that parents recognize there is more to orthodontics than just straight teeth, they will want to insist their children receive proper care and take the matter of referral into their own hands, if necessary.

Jaw-altering devices used appropriately in young children dramatically alter and align the bony dimensions of the face and jaws while enhancing nasal breathing. In addition to providing more space for the teeth and virtually eliminating the need to extract permanent teeth, the treatment provides proper tongue space for improved speech and swallowing while promoting self-esteem because of the improved facial and dental appearance.

A proper diagnosis and treatment plan cannot be made from an examination alone. To plan the most favorable dentofacial changes during treatment, the trained specialist also uses highly sophisticated diagnostic x-rays and video imaging to determine those skeletal components that are dystrophic or require careful control.

The orthodontist can balance and harmonize a child's growth at a very early age to allow the child to benefit beyond just having straight teeth. Having nicely aligned teeth is a small yet important part of the evaluation of the successfully treated case. The true measure of success, however, is reflected in the total dentofacial balance achieved. With appropriately timed early treatment, this balance is most often dramatically improved.

Your pediatrician, pedodontist or dentist will want to refer your child to a properly trained, certified orthodontist. If you have any questions or concern about your child's orthodontic needs, please ask your pediatrician or dentist to refer you to a trained orthodontic specialist. You may check the Yellow Pages under Orthodontists or call the American Association of Orthodontists at 800/424-2841. Competent care will prove to be the most beneficial and least expensive in the long run.

Successful orthodontic care is a wise investment. It may reduce the cost of future dental care and it will contribute to comfort, good health, improved appearance and higher self-esteem. The psychological and physical benefits of orthodontic treatment are lifelong and invaluable. The orthodontic specialist shapes health -- not just teeth!

Please do not wait! Waiting is a non-decision. For some unknown reason, orthodontics is the only medical discipline the public finds acceptable to delay treatment until the problem reaches it's maximum distortion. Pediatricians do not tell parents to wait until adolescence if their child has amblyopia, crossed eyes, knock knees or scoliosis or other developmental problems. Both pediatricians and parents know that early treatment of these problems is most appropriate and that waiting will minimize the benefits or eliminate any possibility of correction. The same applies to facial skeletal development. Waiting until adolescence means children will be denied the benefits of their full potential. "Don't wait till it's too late." Trust your instincts!

Kinderorthodontics is for all children. Even if you believe your child is not a candidate for orthodontics, have him/her checked anyway. Initial consultations will cost you only a little of your time and could be a most precious gift to your child.