Orthodontics for Children
Good facial and jaw growth starts at birth with breastfeeding. Breastfeeding is not only optimally nutritious, but it encourages nasal breathing, good tongue function, proper jaw movements and muscular development to occur. If these fail to occur your child will deviate from their proper jaw growth trajectory. The sooner this poor trajectory is intercepted, the easier the problem is to correct.
Does your child mouth breath or snore at night?
No child should be snoring at night except if they have a cold. If they do snore, we can intervene on their sleep and jaw development problems with long-term solutions for children as young as 3 or 4 years old. We also screen and refer for enlarged adenoids and tonsils, tongue movements, and lip seal.
Before and After Myobrace Photos
The Myobrace appliance stimulates placement of the tongue in the palate, strengthens lip seal and keeps the jaw forward at night. The appliance will gently and slowly widen the upper and lower jaws and form U-shaped arches. Children who wear Myobrace appliances report sleeping better, having more energy and better performance in school.
What age is the optimal age to start orthodontics?
It has been generally accepted that orthodontics begins when all the adult teeth are erupted in place at ages 12 or 13. By waiting to this age, a great opportunity is missed, and the improper growth and habits only worsen. The earlier the problems are recognized and treated, the easier the growth, breathing, and sleep issues are resolved. For these reasons we recommend the first orthodontic evaluation at 3 or 4 years old.
By eliminating snoring and mouth breathing early with Myobrace, we will be developing the child’s airway, and be assuring restful sleep and the developmental benefits while the child grows. The child will develop a growth pattern to grow forward, encouraging proper breathing, swallowing, and body posture, and a beautiful bite, smile, and face. Many of the patients will never need orthodontics in their teens.
Do your children have the common symptoms of children with poor sleep patterns?
- Restless Sleep Patterns
- Difficulty Waking in the Morning
- Insomnia
- Daytime Sleepiness
- Fatigue
- Inattention
- Impulsive Behavior
- Hyperactivity
- Moodiness and Irritability
- Depression/Anxiety
- Oppositional Behavior
- ADD/ADHD
- Poor Academic Performance
- Bed Wetting
- Slowed Growth Patterns
- Unexplained Weight Gain
- Enlarged Tonsils & Adenoids
- Chronic Sinus Infections
- Asthma
- Night Sweats
We offer several techniques for children ages 3 to 13 to correct improper breathing and jaw trajectory.
These methods include:
- Deciduous Teeth Buildups
- Myobrace
- Removable Anterior Remodeling Appliance (ARA)
- Daytime Nighttime Appliance (DNA)
- Fixed Removable Lingual Arch Wires (FRLA)
- Myofunctional Therapy
Before and After Buildup Photos
An 8-year-old boy presented in our practice with a large overbite and an open mouth when biting his teeth together. His mother complained that the boy had his mouth open, it was unattractive, and both she and her son did not like it. He also slept poorly, snored and was often tired.
We determined his physiological jaw position should be forward, but it was unsupported by his teeth. We created a new physiological bite position by using his deciduous teeth as support allowing his adult molar teeth to grow into the correct position.
The mother and son were both thrilled by his new “attractive” jaw position, he now breathes with his mouth closed through his nose and he sleeps better.
We have created a “Healthy functional tongue space and a proper physiological jaw relationship“ all in 1 Appointment only !
This young girl had headaches due to a retracted lower jaw. In 1 appointment we eliminated her headaches and put her bite on the correct growth pattern. Improved tongue space will support the new position.
Removable (ARA) Anterior Remodeling Appliance
The Removable ARA appliance is a functional upper jaw, flat occlusal surface appliance, designed for children to accommodate the orofacial growth in the mixed dentition ages between 6-10 years old. The appliance is activated 1-2 times per week by the patient or their parent and is worn all the time including when eating. The appliance expands the upper jaw in all dimensions, adding sufficient space to accommodate the eruption of the incoming permanent teeth. When the permanent teeth do erupt, there will be adequate space for them.
- Optimal treatment ages 6-10 years
- Treatment time 8-12 months
- Worn all the time, and for eating
- Growth of the upper jaw is redirected forward.
- Re-angles lower jaw forward
- Followed by FRLA wires in both arches.
- Both jaws remain in forward position for life (no relapse)
- Nearly eliminates all possible TMJ and airway issues.
Following removable ARA treatment, one third of these patients will never need orthodontic treatment again in life. The remaining two thirds will require a 6–9-month short orthodontic treatment. This appliance is a miracle appliance and will completely change a vertical growth pattern which is pathological, to a natural, physiological healthy and aesthetically desired horizontal growth pattern for life. No child with malocclusion should miss out on being treated with this appliance!