Braces For Kids Stockton, CA
At Suliman Orthodontics, we provide orthodontics services for children and adults looking to straighten their teeth and align their jaw. Orthodontics is the study and treatment of dental displacement and malocclusions. As an expert at issues pertaining to the jaw, we can move and adjust teeth even if they are fully formed and hardened. This makes it possible to straighten teeth in adults, rather than children only.
DISCOVER YOUR SMILE
Every parent wants to see their kids smile. At Suliman Orthodontics, we take special care to ensure that no kid is ever self-conscious about the appearance of their teeth. We believe in open communication and we always take the time to communicate with your child’s pediatric dentist and pediatrician to ensure that your child is receiving the best care possible. We recommend seeing kids as early as 7 years of age based on the guidelines of the American Association of Orthodontists. At this age of dental development, there is often no need or rush to start treatment and we normally like to monitor the eruption of the adult teeth and ensure that there is enough space for all the teeth to come into. This will prevent future problems such as impacted canines or completely blocked out teeth. In addition, early orthodontic evaluation and treatment allow us to achieve results that may not be possible once the face and jaws have completed their growth.
PHASE 1 TREATMENT
The goal of Phase One treatment is to help the jaw develop in a way that will accommodate all of the permanent teeth and improve the way the upper and lower jaws fit together. Some children often exhibit early signs of jaw problems as they grow and develop. An upper jaw that is growing too much or is too narrow can be recognized by Dr. Suliman at an early age. If children over the age of six are found to have this jaw discrepancy, they are candidates for early orthodontic treatment. Also, if children around the age of eight have crowded front teeth, early treatment can prevent the need to extract permanent teeth later.
COMMON PROBLEMS REQUIRING EARLY TREATMENT
- Oral habits such as thumb sucking and tongue thrust
- Excessively flared upper teeth
- Excessive spacing or crowding
- Severe skeletal disharmony (upper jaw too far forward or back)
- Psycho-social concerns caused by bullying
DOES MY CHILD NEED BRACES?
It’s not always easy to tell when your child has an orthodontic problem. Even teeth that look straight may be hiding a problem bite. Here are some clues that may indicate the need for orthodontic attention:
- Early or late loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Breathing through the mouth
- Congenitally missed teeth
- Extra teeth (supernumerary)
- An unbalanced facial appearance
PHASE 2 TREATMENT
The goal of phase 2 treatment is to make sure each tooth has an exact location in the mouth where it is in harmony with the lips, cheeks, tongue, and other teeth. When this equilibrium is established, the teeth will function together properly. Phase 2 usually involves full upper and lower braces. This phase begins when all permanent teeth have erupted and usually requires braces on all the teeth for an average of 24 months. Retainers are worn after this phase to ensure you retain your beautiful smile.