Do your child’s permanent teeth look crooked or rotated? There are many reasons this can happen, but it’s imperative that your child undergo treatment before it leads to more complex procedures in the future. This is why interceptive orthodontics can be the solution. Keep reading to learn what it is and how it can benefit your child’s growing smile.
What Causes Permanent Teeth to Be Crooked After Eruption?
Every parent hopes their children’s permanent teeth will be straight when they erupt, but unfortunately, this is not always the case. The following are just a few of the reasons they may come in crooked or rotated:
- They do not have enough room in their mouth to allow their permanent teeth to erupt correctly (improper jaw size and shape)
- They practiced non-nutritive habits (i.e., thumb-sucking, pacifier use) when they were younger, causing poor jaw development and tooth misalignment
- They lost their baby teeth too early, and nearby teeth began to shift to try to close the gap
- Genetics that determine the shape and alignment of their teeth
- They breathe through their mouth, not their nose, which can negatively affect jaw development and positioning
When Is Your Child’s Rotated or Crooked Teeth a Concern?
In many cases, crooked teeth will eventually straighten on their own; however, if you notice any of the following problems, it may be time to schedule an appointment with your child’s dentist to discuss potential treatment:
- They are experiencing a speech delay or impediment
- They struggle to eat certain solid foods and complain of discomfort when chewing and biting down
- They breathe through their mouth when asleep and/or snore
- Their erupted teeth appear crowded
- Bite misalignment is causing them to bite the inside of their cheeks, which can cause sores to form
How Can Interceptive Orthodontics Help?
Interceptive orthodontics may be recommended for your child after their dentist evaluates their smile. This early intervention uses orthodontic appliances to encourage proper jaw growth and positioning, ensuring adequate space for permanent teeth to erupt and correcting misaligned bites.
The decision to move forward with interceptive orthodontics minimizes the chances that your child will need more complex orthodontic care in the future.
Some of the possible appliances that can be used include:
- Palatal expanders and rapid palatal expanders (RPEs)
- Quad-Helix expander that creates room in the arch for tooth eruption and space for upper molars
- Reverse-pull facemask
- Cessation appliance for thumb and pacifier habits
- Tongue thrust appliance
- Hawley retainers to correct crossbite
Give your child’s smile the best chance to develop healthily. With interceptive orthodontics, you can jumpstart early correction so that a straighter, fully functional set of teeth is the result.
About the Author
Dr. Ryne S. Paulson is a pediatric dentist who has been practicing since 2020. Delivering humor and compassion, he keeps young patients comfortable and at ease while in the dentist’s chair. No matter what kind of treatment he provides, including interceptive orthodontics, he ensures patients and parents understand the process and benefits of early intervention. Contact us via our website or by calling (307) 266-1997 to schedule a consultation.