At Alba Orthodontics, we value your child’s orthodontic health. No matter what they are dealing with, Drs. Fred and Jeff Alba strive to make their experience as comfortable as possible. If your child has an underbite, you may be wondering if early orthodontic treatment can correct the issue. Early care allows us to monitor any problems and find non-invasive solutions. Read on to learn more about how we treat underbites in children.
Understanding Underbites
Caused by malocclusion, bite issues are a fairly common issue among children. Underbites are when your lower teeth protrude past your upper teeth, the opposite of how your teeth should look. This dental condition is genetically inherited, so if you or someone else in your family has one, your child is more likely to develop one in their life as well.
Underbites can also be caused by early childhood habits such as thumb-sucking and extended use of pacifiers. If caused by one of these habits, early care is recommended so we can help end the problematic behaviors before they become worse.
When is the Best Time to Start Care?
Many of our patients develop them early in life, so we recommend seeking early orthodontic treatment when you notice one developing in your child’s teeth. Very rarely do children outgrow their underbites on their own, so pursuing care at an early age helps to avoid more invasive treatment options later on.
However, there is no age limit on receiving orthodontic care. Some associate braces and other appliances with school-aged children, but adults are able to fix dental issues just as effectively. It may take longer than care at an earlier age, but it is still entirely possible and worth the effort in the long run.
What Happens If It’s Left Untreated?
Treating an underbite is essential for many reasons, but leaving it alone to try and let it fix itself can have unwanted side effects on both your physical and mental health. These may include jaw pain or TMJ complications, self-esteem issues due to altered face shape, and speech difficulty. Alba Orthodontics strives to help your child resolve these issues and regain any lost confidence along the way.
Benefits of Correcting Bite Issues
Enjoy Simpler Everyday Care
With perfectly aligned teeth, your child can expect an easier time with everyday oral hygiene routines by eliminating hard-to-reach areas after treatment. When they brush and floss their teeth, there will be fewer places for food and bacteria to hide and evade cleaning. Proper cleaning twice a day helps to preserve their original teeth and keep them healthy in the long term.
Fixing bite issues also protects against chipping and cracks, both of which can lead to more severe issues if left untreated. Aligned teeth are better equipped to handle wear and tear as pressure is more evenly distributed throughout your mouth.
Lower Chance of Hygienic Complications
Fixing your child’s bite helps lower their chances of hygienic issues such as tooth decay, bacteria, and plaque buildup, all of which can lead to other complications down the road. Investing in your child’s smile supports their dental health for a lifetime and contributes to more straightforward procedures down the road when necessary.
Chew More Comfortably
With aligned teeth, your child will not have to worry about pain or excessive pressure on their teeth that makes chewing uncomfortable. We hope they will be more encouraged to try new foods they may have avoided because of this. Fixing your child’s bite is one of the first steps in promoting easy digestion as your teeth break your food into bite-sized pieces.
Undergoing Early Orthodontic Treatment
To fix your child’s underbite, we provide the following care options: palatal expanders, reverse-pull face masks, and partial braces. Early orthodontic treatment typically begins around age seven, that is, when the American Association of Orthodontists recommends your child’s first appointment. These check-ups allow us to address issues before they develop into something more severe.
Palatal Expander
At an early age, your child’s jaw is still growing into place and is, therefore, malleable. Palatal expanders are used to expand the upper jaw and create more space for their teeth to grow in without the use of invasive procedures.
Made of two metal parts, they are connected by a screw and positioned on the top back teeth. Drs. Fred and Jeff Alba will provide a key that is used to push the two metal plates a little further apart each day, allowing your child’s palatal bones to adjust to the pressure over a long period of time.
Reverse-Pull Face Mask
Similar to headgear, the reverse-pull face mask helps move your child’s upper jaw forward during its growth period to align it with their lower jaw. It is a custom-fitted appliance that attaches to the upper teeth and extends to the forehead. The face mask is typically used with another appliance for optimal results. It is prescribed 16 hours a day, so they won’t need to worry about wearing it at school or with friends.
Partial Braces
Before your child is ready for braces, partial braces can be placed on a few teeth instead to solve underbite issues. Partial braces target a specific area of misaligned teeth by spacing crowded teeth and tackling early bite problems. It ensures the permanent ones growing in have the right amount of space without crowding further. The braces apply slight, constant pressure to shift the teeth into their proper position.
Fix Your Child’s Underbite Today!
Our team is here to make your child’s orthodontic journey as easy as possible. Alba Orthodontics provides free consultations at our Mechanicsburg practice so you can get a better idea of your child’s needs, what can be done to address them, and have the chance to learn more about Drs. Fred and Jeff Alba. Schedule yours today, and our team will work with you to find a convenient time. We can’t wait to meet you!