Orthodontics

What is orthodontics?

Orthodontics is the practice of straightening teeth and properly aligning bites. Most orthodontic treatments make use of various appliances that apply a small-but-continuous amount of pressure on your child’s teeth.

Continuous pressure slowly pushes their teeth into a better position in their mouths until they’ve arrived at a perfect alignment and occlusion (bite). Orthodontic appliances can be removable, semi-permanent, or permanent.

Very few people have naturally perfect smiles, and since properly aligned teeth and bites have so many advantages for your child’s oral health, it really benefits them to consider orthodontics.

Why should my child get orthodontics?

Although a straight smile is considered more attractive, having properly aligned teeth is about much more than just cosmetic appearances.

Straight teeth are easier to keep clean, which means that your child is at less of a risk for developing hygiene-related dental conditions like tooth decay and gum disease.

A properly aligned jaw also does a better job of evenly distributing the force in your child’s bite, which helps to prevent their teeth from excessive wear-and-tear and puts less stress on their jaw muscles. 

When should my child start their orthodontic treatment?

Ideally, your child should have their first orthodontic exam by the age of 7, or when they still have some of their primary (baby) teeth. This is known as phase one orthodontics. When your child is younger, their teeth are still in the process of coming in, and are therefore naturally shifting in position in their mouth.

Starting their orthodontic treatment early gives the team at Leeward Pediatric Dentistry the ability to work with the natural movement in your child’s alignment to more efficiently and effectively straighten their teeth. 

It’s never too late to start orthodontic treatment, though, and just because you aren’t 7 years old doesn’t mean that the team at Leeward Pediatric Dentistry can’t do a good job at straightening your smile.

Patients who already have all their permanent teeth, whether they’re teenagers or adults, get phase two orthodontic treatment. Some patients who come in for phase one treatment might even be advised to wait until phase two to begin straightening their smiles.

What orthodontic options do you offer?

Leeward Pediatric Dentistry provides its patients with a variety of exceptional orthodontic treatments, like spacers, but the most common orthodontic appliance is braces. Braces have seen massive technological improvements over the past 10-20 years.

The days of an uncomfortable mouth full of metal are a thing of the past. Today’s braces can straighten your child’s smile with less discomfort and more aesthetically pleasing options. 

Leeward Pediatric Dentistry uses 3D scanners instead of traditional dental molds to get you started on your orthodontic journey, which makes for a more comfortable experience for your child and more accurate treatment for their smile.

The practice also offers monthly financial plans and discounts so that everybody can afford to make their smile as healthy and beautiful as possible.

Schedule your orthodontics appointment with Leeward Pediatric Dentistry today by calling the office or booking a visit online.