Early treatment
During childhood, it is not only possible to correct the alignment of the teeth; as children are still growing, your orthodontist can guide the development of the facial bones, prevent misalignments and thus optimise the aesthetic appearance.
For some children who have lost a milk tooth due to tooth decay, we recommend, on a case-by-case basis, the fitting of a space maintainer to ensure the optimal development of the masticatory system.
Early treatment can shorten the duration of treatment during adolescence!
Open bite – from incorrect sucking to malocclusion
Even in infancy, uncontrolled, constant forces act on the teeth during sucking and thumb-sucking. These forces can cause malocclusion and alter the position of the teeth. Prolonged or incorrect thumb-sucking can pave the way for what is known as an open bite or protruding ‘bunny teeth’ from an early age. Sucking causes the teeth to shift in such a way that the upper and lower incisors no longer meet when the child bites down – they are effectively biting into thin air.
To eventually move the teeth back into the correct position, targeted forces are required once again – this time as part of orthodontic treatment, which can correct misaligned teeth or a malocclusion.
When should my child visit an orthodontist for the first time?
Your orthodontist at Zahninsel in Munich recommends that parents bring their child to the practice for the first time between the ages of 8 and 9. However, if a child has a family history of orthodontic problems, for example, early treatment as young as 6 years of age – once the first permanent teeth have come through – may be advisable in individual cases. As part of regular check-ups, your paediatric dentist at Zahninsel will also monitor your child’s dental development.
Habits, such as prolonged use of a dummy or thumb-sucking, can lead to tongue dysfunction in some children and may require the use of a palatal expander to correct the issue and prevent future misalignment of the teeth.
Placeholders for milk teeth: fixed or removable
Molars, in particular, play an important role in the primary dentition as space maintainers for the permanent teeth. If your child loses one or more molars or front teeth prematurely due to tooth decay, the function and development of the entire masticatory system can be significantly disrupted. In such cases, we recommend the fitting of a space maintainer.
The orthodontist will decide on a case-by-case basis whether a fixed or removable space maintainer is preferable, and will discuss this in consultation with your child’s dentist and you as parents.
Fixed placeholders – a convenient solution for children and parents
If only a single milk tooth is missing in the lateral region, a fixed solution is an option; in other words, the space maintainer is attached to the adjacent milk tooth or permanent tooth. It consists of an orthodontic band with a small metal bracket that supports the gap up to the nearest neighbouring tooth.
Removable placeholders – a flexible alternative
If the gap to be filled is larger – that is, if the loss of several milk teeth needs to be compensated for – we recommend a removable space maintainer. The removable space maintainer only needs to be worn at night. It is similar in use to a loose set of braces and is available in a wide range of bright colours.
Zahninsel Orthodontics – Range of Treatments
Mouth guards for sport
Early treatment
We’ll put a smile on your whole family’s faces!
