From ‘Early-Birds’ to ‘Right-On-Time’ to ‘Fashionably Late’

You may have heard that orthodontic treatment can be provided at many different ages. It can be a bit confusing as some people undergo orthodontic treatment as children, others in their early or late teenage years or even as adults.

The Early-Birds

Orthodontic treatment for younger children in the “mixed” or transitional dentition stage (i.e. both baby and adult teeth present) usually involves only a limited first phase of treatment. Such treatment may be required to intercept developing orthodontic problems such as a poorly fitting bite or very protrusive front teeth. Early orthodontic treatment is only considered necessary for approximately 10% of young patients. Such patients are at greater risk of unnatural tooth wear, dental trauma, social issues or gum problems. A comprehensive or second phase of braces treatment is still often required when the remaining adult teeth develop into the mouth. A specialist orthodontist has the expert knowledge and experience to determine when early treatment is justified or alternatively when it is better to wait.

Right-On-Time

Extensive good quality clinical research has shown that providing orthodontic treatment in the teenage years is generally the most favourable and most efficient time to correct the majority of orthodontic problems. By the early teenage years, the adult teeth have come into the mouth and treatment can also be timed with the teenage ‘growth spurt’. This growth spurt is generally very useful for correcting patients with protrusive upper front teeth (known as a Class II malocclusion) as the lower jaw tends to grow in a forward direction and in many cases, ‘catches-up’ to improve the overall facial profile.

For patients with ‘a reverse-bite’ or protrusive lower front teeth (known as a Class III malocclusion), it may actually be better to wait until the later teenage years as the lower jaw can grow for a longer period of time. Excessive lower jaw growth (known as a Class III facial growth pattern) may require more involved treatment. Jaws can also grow asymmetrically. It is generally not possible to ‘slow-down’ lower jaw growth nor accurately predict the final jaw size. Therefore, it is better to wait to be sure for some patients. Even if the jaw growth problem cannot be fixed immediately, orthodontic alignment of crooked upper front teeth can still be performed to improve their patient’s appearance and reduce any social anxiety. A specialist orthodontist has the expert knowledge and experience to identify your child’s facial growth pattern and then determine when is the best time to correct tooth and jaw alignment problems. For patients with more severe jaw growth problems, a consultation with a maxillofacial surgeon may be recommended.

Fashionably Late

Many people did not have the opportunity to straighten their teeth as children or teenagers. Thankfully, this does not mean that the “orthodontic boat” has been missed! As long as your teeth and gums are healthy (which can be confirmed by regular check-ups with a general family dentist), adult orthodontic treatment is still very possible and predictable. Many adults prefer less obvious options for their orthodontic treatment, such as clear braces or InvisalignTM.

Facial growth patterns and tooth development are both complex and truly fascinating! A specialist orthodontist can help you or your child attain a beautiful smile and harmonious facial features with minimum fuss and in the shortest possible time. 

Dr Geoff Stanton, Orthodontist
Townsville Orthodontic Specialists