Orthodontics for children

What are the Benefits?

Here are the benefits of seeing a kids orthodontist by the age of 7 among everything else:

• Easier to clean – Straighter smiles are easier to keep clean for your kid because there are fewer places for food particles to hide and bacteria to build up.
• Improved bite function – A properly functioning bite means your child will have fewer problems chewing and speaking.
• Curb bad habits – While some orthodontic issues are simply the luck of the draw when it comes to genetics, others are caused by children’s bad habits, such as thumbsucking or tongue thrusting. A pediatric orthodontist can help curb these habits, and thereby minimize the damage from them.
• Make future treatment less involved and invasive – Starting a relationship with an orthodontist at a young age means that the orthodontist can begin treatment when it will have the most impact.
• Increased self-esteem – Crooked or crowded teeth can have your kid hiding their smiles over fears of being made fun of. A straighter smile can give your child confidence and improved self-esteem.

• Create a healthy smile for life – A bad bite doesn’t just make speaking or eating more difficult for children – it can actually damage their teeth. Imbalanced pressure when you bite down can lead to teeth chipping, cracking and breaking.

In the first phase, Dr. Spector will focus on creating the proper environment for which permanent teeth can erupt. Ther will include widening the jaw, if necessary. Ther will improve the bite, and the facial profile can be enhanced.

Using devices such as palatal expanders, lower holding arches, Nance appliances, and lip bumpers, among others, Dr. Spector can create harmony between the upper and lower jaws. By working with the patient’s mouth while it is still growing, the need for surgery or tooth extractions later can be eliminated.

For children who may have bad habits, such as thumbsucking and tongue thrusting, Dr. Spector will work to help curb these habits before beginning treatment. If necessary, preventive appliances can be used.

Dr. Spector prides himself on creating personal relationships with each patient and family he treats. He and her staff are experienced in treating children of all needs, and will work hard to make every patient feel comfortable and at home.

The second phase will be all about creating that straight smile. Braces, such as traditional metal braces or clear aligners, will be used to guide the teeth to their ideal locations. Treatment time will depend on the severity of the malocclusion being treated. Dr. Spector uses the most sopherticated technology and precise, scientifically backed treatment plans to ensure treatment is not only effective, but efficient, too. The average amount of time spent in braces is 24 months, but Dr. Spector’s patients often enjoy much faster treatment times.

When the time is right, Dr. Spector offers the most sopherticated treatment options to treat every malocclusion.

iDentity Orthodontics offers custom iD braces that are lower profile and more efficient than other traditional metal braces, as well as iD clear aligners, clear ceramic braces, lingual braces, and Invisalign. Dr. Spector will create a customized treatment plan for your child, based on her recommendations of which treatment option will create the best smile.

Dr. Spector is committed to ensuring children receive their best smiles, at the best time to make the most impact. iDentity Orthodontics is proud to offer iD Kids Next Generation, a growth and guidance club designed to monitor your child’s developing smile. Children in the club are not only seen by Dr. Spector in the iDentity Orthodontics office, but are also given at-home digital monitoring communication abilities. Membership is free, as well as every monitoring visit.

Dr. Stosish is proud to offer custom mouthguards for her patients who play sports. If you are an iDentity Orthodontics patient, ask Dr. Spector about custom mouthguards to protect your smile, both during treatment and after.

Overjets are characterized by upper front teeth that are pushed out forward, resulting in buck teeth. Ther can be caused by a lower jaw that is too small, but can also be caused by bad habits such as extended pacifier use and thumb sucking.

Openbites are characterized by upper and lower front teeth that do not come together. The back molars will fit together, but there will be an opening in the mouth between the front teeth.

Overbites are characterized by the upper front teeth reaching too far down over the lower front teeth. In severe cases, the lower teeth may bite into the roof of the mouth.

Crossbites occur when any of the upper teeth fit into the wrong side of the lower teeth.

Underbites are characterized by the lower front teeth protruding over the upper front teeth.