Ortho screenings for children
Jaw issues and crowded teeth can put a dent in your self-confidence. It can change the shape of your face and make smiling for pictures difficult. Orthodontic treatment works best when the jawbone is still malleable, and with early intervention, your child can have straight teeth and a proper bite. As soon as permanent teeth start to appear, Dr. Do can administer ortho screenings during routine dental exams from his office in Marrero, LA.
Good bite vs. bad bite
Crowded teeth and jaw alignment issues can cause complications with your oral health. Ideally, your top teeth should rest slightly over the front of your bottom teeth, and the grooves of your molars on the top and bottom fit together snugly. A bad bite, or malocclusion, is when your teeth and jaw don’t line up as intended. An underbite or overbite in your teeth can add stress to TMJ, change the appearance of your face, and restrict your airway, increasing your risk of snoring and sleep apnea.
Crooked or crowded teeth can be difficult to clean, and they can have a major impact on your smile. When they don’t fit together properly, it can lead to a slack jaw, underdeveloped facial muscles, cavities, and TMJ issues. Dr. Bo can keep an eye out for issues that may require orthodontic treatment to prepare you for the possibility down the road. Treating children with braces and aligners can fix issues that would require surgery later down the line, and it can improve their overall wellbeing.
BEFORE AND AFTER RESULTS
The ortho screening process
Orthodontic screening is a non-invasive examination of your child’s mouth and facial features. Dr. Do will check for asymmetries in the face that appear as your child grows and use special instruments to measure the alignment of the teeth and jaw. Treatment may not be necessary right away, and he will monitor the development at subsequent visits.
Dr. Do will also educate you on how habits like mouth breathing, pacifiers, and thumb sucking can affect your oral resting posture and the development of the jaw and facial muscles. We encourage patients in Marrero and surrounding communities such as New Orleans, Harvey, Westwego, Avondale, Metairie, Kenner, Lafitte, or Gretna to reach out today at (504) 340-9400.
