Orthodontic Care 101 – Boston Children’s Answers

By now, your family may know what to expect at the dental office. It’s a familiar routine that includes an exam, a cleaning, and (maybe) treatment for a cavity.

An orthodontic appointment is a lot like a trip to the dentist, according to Dr. Megan McDougall, Boston Children’s Orthodontist. If your child’s first appointment with the orthodontist is on the calendar, they shouldn’t feel anxious. Assure them there will be no surprises because there shouldn’t be, he says.

Here are some other things your family should consider when seeking orthodontic care:

An orthodontist helps strengthen your child’s smile

An orthodontist will work with your family to address any dental and facial features that may affect your child’s well-being and smile. They examine the characteristics of your child’s teeth, jaws, gums, or face (or any combination thereof) to determine if they are hindering your child’s oral health and social functioning.

Find a practice where orthodontists are skilled in the specialties of orthodontic care that are specific to your child’s needs. For example, at Boston Children’s, “Your child will see team members who best address their individual needs and desires,” says Dr. McDougall.

Missing teeth? Do you have an excessive bite? The orthodontist has a solution

An orthodontic office should deal with a variety of situations, including:

• misaligned, crooked, crowded, extra and missing teeth
• an overbite or an underbite
• poor or incorrect position of the jaw

Some practices will also treat oral conditions associated with craniofacial anomaliesincluding cleft lip and palate.

Find an orthodontist who will make your child feel welcome

A patient with special health care needs, at any age, can feel overwhelmed in a dentist’s or orthodontist’s office. If your child has a complex medical history, they may be intimidated by the sounds and bright lights of a doctor’s office.

You should look for orthodontists who can understand your child’s physical and emotional needs and will work with them to make sure they are comfortable throughout treatment, says Dr. MacDougall. Boston Children’s Orthodontics Programfor example, she has experience treating children with a variety of complex conditions — including autism spectrum disorders, Down syndromeand brain paralysis — as well as children without health problems.

Get your child the right device

If your child needs orthodontic treatment, they may need one or more of the following ‘appliances’:

• metal or ceramic braces to align the teeth
• clear teeth aligners such as Invisalign
• an expander, which widens the upper jaw to better align with the lower jaw
• a habit-breaking device to stop thumb-sucking, or a device to correct the tongue resting on the teeth when swallowing, instead of resting on the roof of the mouth

“We’re not stuck in the past in how we diagnose and treat conditions,” says Dr. MacDougall. Most patients probably won’t need to bite down on impression material to make a model of their mouth, which their parents probably did when they were children. And metal braces aren’t the only treatment option, he says. “A scanner can make a 3D model of a patient’s mouth. And if it’s best for a patient, we can offer clear aligners as a treatment option. The technology is advanced.”

An orthodontist should explain all the care steps

Your orthodontist should detail your child’s diagnosis and review the proposed treatment plan before any treatment. Depending on the situation, the plan could have options. Whichever plan you think best suits your child’s needs, the orthodontist should explain how to maintain the care of the braces or appliance, what foods he can and can’t eat, and other tips that will help his treatment as long as possible. as easily as possible.

Treatment time varies depending on the condition

The length of treatment depends on the condition and its extent, says Dr. MacDougall. It could last a few months or, as seen with some splint therapy, up to several years. Expect to see the orthodontist every four to six weeks for checkups and adjustments.

See an orthodontist when your child is 7 years old

The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that children be evaluated by an orthodontist by age 7. “They won’t necessarily need to start treatment at that age, although they could if immediate intervention is needed,” says Dr McDougall. Conversely, an orthodontist can spot a problem when a child is this age and begin treatment before the condition becomes more serious. “Some situations can be harder to deal with when a child is older,” she says.

Rational care can become boring and your child may prefer that

Orthodontic treatment won’t be scary or mysterious if an orthodontist works closely with your child and family, explaining every step of the process along the way and always seeking your input. “Mostly it’s just going to be boring because patients have to sit there with their mouths open while we install the device or the braces,” says Dr. MacDougall.

Learn more about it Orthodontics Program.