Early Orthodontic Treatment in Mundaring

You might need clear aligners for the following orthodontic issues:

1. Spacing Issues: Spacing issues in your mouth, such as diastema (gaps between teeth) and overcrowding, can become problematic. Excess space in your mouth, or lack thereof, can lead to food getting stuck between your teeth and gums, causing pain, tooth decay, or gum disease. Clear aligners can close these gaps or move crowded teeth into their correct position.
2. Malocclusion: Malocclusion refers to crooked teeth or “bad bites”, such as crossbite, overbite, underbite, and open bite. Having misaligned teeth can make vital functions such as chewing difficult. Additionally, it can cause chipped and worn-down teeth and receding gums. Clear aligners can be used to adjust the position of your teeth and jaws to manage malocclusion.

Early orthodontic treatment or interceptive orthodontic, is when children begin treatment while they’re still growing and have most of their primary teeth. The goal is to direct a child’s dental development and growth to prevent specific spacing issues and malocclusions. This will make treatment easier down the road. 

The main goal is often to address skeletal issues with the jaw and alignment before or soon after permanent teeth emerge. Common orthodontic treatments for children include:

1. Palatal Expander: A palatal expander is a dental appliance used to widen your child’s palate, creating more space in the mouth. Several teeth in the back area of the mouth are covered with the appliance, which is custom-made for each individual. Usually, palatal expanders are prescribed when there are crossbites, dental crowding, or impacted teeth.
2. Partial Braces: Partial braces are often used to treat minor orthodontic issues in children before they are fitted for their full set of braces during their early teen years. While they involve brackets and wires, they do not cover all of the teeth. Partial braces target the specific teeth that require attention.
3. Clear Aligners: Clear aligners offer a great alternative to traditional braces for people of all ages. They’re created from transparent plastic material and are specifically designed to fit your child’s teeth. It is an excellent option for children who don’t want metal wires or braces on their teeth. Please note, however, that your child must be able to follow directions that come with clear aligner treatment.
4. Retainers: Retainers are metal and plastic pieces that are custom-made for each child. They fit over the top of the teeth and mouth. Once braces are removed, retainers are used to hold the teeth in place, as your child’s teeth will need time to adjust to their new position. Retainers can help prevent teeth from shifting. Some retainers are permanently attached to your child’s teeth, while others are removable.

It is recommended that your child avoid certain foods to avoid damaging their braces. Foods to avoid include:

• Sticky and chewy foods, such as taffy and chewing gum
• Hard foods, such as popcorn, nuts, hard candies, and ice

While wearing braces, limit your child’s consumption of sweet foods and drinks. When sugar is combined with saliva, plaque forms on the teeth.

Various factors determine how much treatment will cost, including your child’s orthodontic issue, the type of orthodontic treatment they need, and the complexity of treatment. On average, treatment can cost anywhere from $3,500 to $9,000.