When most people think of orthodontics, they picture teens or young adults wearing metal braces. But did you know that many orthodontic concerns are apparent from a young age? At Karis Orthodontics, we believe in proactive care for young smiles. We are pleased to offer interceptive orthodontics and facial orthopedics to guide proper oral growth and development, minimizing the need for future orthodontic treatment. Visit our Lewisville practice to get started today!
Our Treatments
What Are Interceptive Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics?
Interceptive orthodontics and facial orthopedics involve diagnosing and correcting issues related to the teeth, jaw, and facial structure during a child's growth and development. Interceptive orthodontics focuses on identifying and correcting orthodontic problems early on, often when a child still has some baby teeth. The goal is to "intercept" potential issues like crossbites or harmful oral habits, guiding the eruption of the permanent teeth into more favorable positions.
By guiding jaw growth and aligning the jawbone early on, a key aspect of facial orthopedics, we can influence the underlying skeletal structure of the face. Facial orthopedics addresses imbalances in the growth of the upper and lower jaws, aiming to create a more harmonious relationship between them and ultimately resulting in a healthier, more balanced facial structure.
When Should You Schedule the First Orthodontic Screening?
The American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) recommends scheduling a child's first orthodontic screening by age 7. At Karis Orthodontics, we encourage parents to bring their children in for evaluation during this critical growth stage, even if everything seems on track. Early detection of potential concerns like crossbites, open bites, crowding, or jaw growth discrepancies can lead to simpler and more effective treatment down the road.
By identifying problems early, we can guide jaw growth and tooth eruption in a more favorable direction, potentially preventing the need for more extensive interventions later in life. Remember—if you have any concerns, don't wait until your child turns seven to schedule an evaluation. The sooner a problem is addressed, the better the long-term outcomes for your child's smile
What Can You Expect in Interceptive or Phase 1 Orthodontics?
At Karis Orthodontics, we create personalized treatment plans that combine orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic treatments. Our goal is to enhance facial harmony, improve functional balance, and address bite problems early on. Correcting misalignment at a young age can prevent future issues and promote a lifetime of healthy, beautiful smiles.
Your child may require one or a combination of the following orthodontic and dentofacial orthopedic appliances to guide proper jaw growth and alignment:
- Space Maintainers: If your child loses a baby tooth prematurely, the neighboring teeth slowly drift toward the gap, leading to misalignment and interfering with the growth of the permanent teeth when they are ready to come in. A space maintainer holds open the space left by a missing baby tooth, preserving the alignment of your child's smile until the permanent tooth comes in.
- Palatal Expanders: Palatal expanders widen the palate or the roof of the mouth, creating more room in the jaw. This helps correct a range of concerns, including crossbites, overcrowding, and even mouth breathing.
- Headgear: Headgear is an orthodontic device that uses pressure to correct a bad bite and guides proper growth and development of the face and jaws. Your child will need to wear their headgear overnight, making it less intrusive during the waking hours.
- Braces: Braces in phase I orthodontics differ from the traditional ones used for teens or adults. We offer treatment with limited braces, which are placed only on the teeth that need correction when a child has a mix of baby and adult teeth.
Our Collaborative Approach to Interceptive Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics
Providing the best possible care often involves collaborating with other medical professionals. At Karis Orthodontics, we work closely with pediatric dentists, oral surgeons, myofunctional therapists, and speech therapists to address concerns such as thumb sucking, mouth breathing, tongue positioning, and speech issues. By working alongside a team of experts, we strive to provide care for our young patients that is thorough, effective, and personalized to their unique needs.
What Are the Benefits of Early Intervention for Children?
Interceptive orthodontics offers numerous benefits for young children, including the following:
- Guiding Jaw Growth: Guiding proper jaw growth helps set the stage for healthy, beautiful smiles into adulthood.
- Better Results: Interceptive orthodontics takes place when the teeth, jaw, and gums are more responsive to treatment, ensuring quicker and better results.
- Improving Speech: Interceptive orthodontics can help address speech problems caused by improper teeth or jaw alignment.
- Simplifying Future Treatment: Interceptive orthodontics can simplify or even eliminate the need for phase II orthodontic treatment.
Interceptive Orthodontics and Facial Orthopedics Near Me in Lewisville, TX
Our team at Karis Orthodontics in Lewisville, TX, is dedicated to providing our young patients with exceptional orthodontic care. By starting treatment early, we can guide proper growth and development and lay the foundation for a healthy, beautiful smile that lasts a lifetime.
Call 469-968-0111 to schedule an appointment or schedule one online today!
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Looking for cutting-edge orthodontic solutions to transform your smile? Whether you’re considering braces, clear aligners, cosmetic enhancements, or care for kids, we offer personalized care tailored to your unique needs. Book your appointment to get started today!