Perth Orthodontic Solutions For Kids
Introducing Confident Smiles
Orthodontic Care for Children
We understand the immeasurable joy of working with children and witnessing the radiance of their smiles. With families of our own, we know that a healthy smile can profoundly impact individuals of all ages! Through a focus on comfort and child-friendly approaches, we’re dedicated to delivering exceptional orthodontic results.
Braces for children serve a vital role beyond achieving alignment; they contribute to maintaining dental and overall well-being. By initiating treatment between the ages of 6 and 11, we actively support healthy growth, reducing the likelihood of future dental and oral complications. We strongly believe in providing appropriate and necessary treatment for children, avoiding unnecessary interventions and always prioritising their well-being.
For members of the Club Coco program, we offer complimentary evaluations and follow up visits to ensure parents are well-informed about their child’s dental and facial development. We conduct thorough examinations for children at any stage, aiming to prevent the need for extensive treatments in the future. Let’s address potential issues early on, and minimise the chances of complicated procedures down the line!
What to expect
In most cases, early orthodontic screening may result in a recommendation for no immediate treatment. Instead, we advise regular monitoring of your child’s growth and development to ensure timely intervention if necessary. During the screening process, we carefully evaluate your child’s condition to determine whether Phase 1 treatment is needed or not.
Committed to providing personalised care, we tailor the treatment plan to suit each child’s unique needs. He firmly believes in providing only the necessary orthodontic treatment for kids, placing their well-being as the utmost importance!
Common Problems We Treat
Flared Teeth
Sometimes, jaw growth or habits such as thumbsucking can cause the upper teeth to flare out, creating a larger gap between the upper and lower teeth. This can put teenagers at a higher risk of dental trauma. Not to worry! With our prompt and straightforward orthodontic treatment, we can prevent the possibility of a fractured front tooth and save you from costly dental repairs down the line. Let’s keep that smile shining!
Overcrowding
When there’s not enough room for teeth to grow properly, things can get a little crowded in the mouth. Crooked and misaligned teeth become the norm, especially for children with a smaller jawbone or larger-sized teeth. Our fantastic team specialises in treating overcrowding and providing tailored solutions just for your child. We’ll create the necessary space and gently guide their teeth into alignment. Early intervention is key to ensuring their dental health and boosting their confidence as they grow. Let’s pave the way for a winning smile!
Crossbite
Is your child experiencing a crossbite? No worries- we’ve got it covered. A crossbite happens when the upper teeth sit inside the lower teeth, throwing off the normal bite alignment. It can cause jaw shifting and discomfort. Our team of professionals are experienced in diagnosing and treating crossbite with a friendly touch. We’ll ensure your child’s dental health and function are at their best. Let’s bring that smile back into perfect harmony!
Problems From Habits
We’ve all seen it- Thumb sucking, lip sucking, mouth breathing, object chewing; they can all lead to some tooth-related troubles, like an open bite in children. An open bite means the upper and lower teeth don’t quite meet when the mouth is closed. It can affect biting, chewing, speech development, and overall dental health. Fortunately, Dr. Andrews specialises in addressing these habits and correcting tooth alignment using orthodontic technologies that are perfect for your child. Let’s kick those habits to the curb and get that smile shining bright!
Book a Complimentary Consultation!
Start a virtual consultation today or schedule an in-person appointment at Perth clinic. Your first free appointment includes recommendations for orthodontic treatment.
Why James Andrews Orthodontics
Personalised Treatment
There's no one-size-fits-all solution. We recognise that each patient is wonderfully unique, which is why we craft customised treatment plans tailored specifically to your needs. With us, your orthodontic journey will be defined by a personal touch, ensuring you receive the utmost care that's designed exclusively for you.
Advanced Technology
Our approach revolves around the latest advancements in digital dentistry, allowing us to create precise and tailored clear aligners. With meticulous craftsmanship and 3D printing technology, we bring to life a digital simulation of your teeth in their optimal positions.
Maximise Health Benefits
We’re committed to making the most of your health benefits. We understand the importance of financial flexibility, and that's why we offer personalised payment plans that align with your budgetary needs. With complete transparency, we ensure there are no hidden costs or surprises along the way.
faq
You can bring your child in for an examination as early as seven years of age. At this age, we are unlikely to give the child braces but will let you know if the child will need them. We will also go over if any early orthodontic treatments will be useful in preparing the child’s mouth for braces later on.
Many of the seven or eight-year-olds we see struggle with overcrowding brought on by losing their baby teeth too early or due to the size of their palate in general. In this case, we can provide them with a few simple solutions. Space maintainers, for example, can preserve the space left by the missing tooth so that the surrounding teeth cannot encroach upon this space. Space maintainers are a simple solution that can also help to create small spaces in between teeth. Additionally, some children will wear an expander to gently push their palate outwards to create more space for adult teeth.
As a kid’s orthodontist, we typically recommend metal braces for younger children. Teens can benefit from clear aligners but they typically need to be at least sixteen-years-old to receive them due to the level of responsibility necessary for proper care. Metal braces are smaller than in the past and more effective for our younger patients.
We recommend scheduling your child for a dental appointment every six months. At each of these checkups, we will complete an oral exam, clean your child’s teeth, and apply fluoride.
For babies without any erupted teeth, you can rub a clean, soft cloth over their gums nightly. For infants who have visible teeth, a toothbrush with soft bristles and a small head is the best choice. There are many brushes available that are designed specifically for infants. Brush the teeth once per day at bedtime to remove the plaque bacteria that can lead to decay.
There is no way to answer this without first examining the child to determine the current position of the teeth and jaw in relation to where they need to end up. Keep in mind that straightening teeth is a process that must be completed steadily. Rushing it can do damage to the roots of the teeth so slow and steady is our motto. Still, the average treatment time is around two years.
Yes, as a kid’s orthodontist, we provide patients with a retainer to wear once their braces have been removed. Retention is a critical part of the process because, without it, their teeth will move back towards the initial position. Most people only need a retainer for a couple of years and some even less.
“First visit by the first birthday” is the general rule. Your child should see a pediatric dentist when the first tooth appears, usually between 6 and 12 months of age, or no later than the first birthday. This allows us to monitor their development and treat any potential dental problems.
Baby (primary) teeth are important for many reasons. Not only do they help children speak clearly and chew naturally, but they also aid in forming a path that permanent teeth can follow when they are ready to grow into the mouth. Some baby teeth are necessary until a child is 12 years old or longer. Pain, infection of the gums and jaws, impairment of general health, and premature loss of teeth are just a few of the problems that can happen when decaying baby teeth are left untreated. In addition, it is important to understand that tooth decay is an infection, and infections will spread; therefore, any decay on baby teeth can cause decay on the permanent teeth as well. That is why proper care of baby teeth is instrumental in enhancing the overall health of your child.
If your child is suffering from a toothache, rinse his or her mouth with warm salt water and apply a cold compress to the cheek if it is swollen. Do not put heat or aspirin on the sore area, but you may give acetaminophen (Tylenol) for pain. If your child’s toothache persists, contact us as soon as possible. If your child’s symptoms include fever or fatigue, contact your pediatrician as soon as possible.