Orthodontics for Children

Children and teenagers may need braces or dental aligners for any number of reasons, including crooked, overlapping or overcrowded teeth or a ‘bad bite.’

A ‘bad bite’ (or Malocclusion) is a discrepancy in the sizes of the top and bottom jaws. When the upper jaw is bigger than the lower jaw, it’s called an overbite. When the lower jaw is bigger, it’s an underbite.

Sometimes tooth and jaw problems can be caused by tooth decay, losing baby teeth too soon, accidents, or habits like thumb sucking. But often they’re inherited, so if you or someone in your family needed braces, it’s likely that your kids will too.

Often, your dentist will be the first to notice problems during a regular visit and will recommend that you see an orthodontist (a dentist who specialises in correcting jaw and teeth alignment problems). At Keppel Advanced Dentistry our specialist orthodontist will discuss and determine the best orthodontic option for your child or teenager.

In recent years, clear removable braces that move teeth with plastic trays called aligners (rather than wires and rubber bands) have become available, but these are usually only for people without bite problems.

Some children may need other devices too, such as headgear, which is usually worn only at night. Headgear uses a horseshoe-shaped wire that attaches to the back teeth, pushing them back and allowing more room for teeth in the front of the mouth. Our orthodontist at Keppel Dentistry might also recommend that your child have one or more teeth removed to create more space in his or her mouth.

Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away. It just means the orthodontist will be able to determine which problems exist and assess the best time to start treatment.

Braces correct alignment problems by putting steady pressure on the teeth, which eventually moves them into a straighter position.