San Clemente Pediatric Orthodontist

When you are considering consulting with a pediatric orthodontist San Clemente, California to find out about correcting the alignment of your children’s teeth, it’s a big decision. It involves two of the most significant areas of your life — time and money.  At John Redmond Orthodontics, we understand that when time and money are involved, people must prioritize. So, we want to help you understand the consequences of delaying orthodontic treatment.

Orthodontic treatment requires a commitment of your expendable income. Your child will visit a San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist for appointments every six to eight weeks. This will likely go on for about 18 to 24 months, or until the goal is accomplished. You will also need to take extra care with your child’s dental hygiene and diet to maintain the health and proper functioning of their teeth and braces during treatment. Most parents report the results are worth the time and financial investments.

Common Dental Issues In Children And Adolescents

The earlier that a dental issue is caught and resolved, the easier it can be treated. For children experiencing orthodontic problems, receiving dental care can be a daunting experience. However, our team has years of experience treating common issues such as: 

• Crooked teeth. Many children and young adults have crooked or misaligned teeth, where teeth are not growing in the right direction. This is treated by gradually moving the tooth or teeth back in the proper position over time. 
• Gaps between teeth. Spaces between teeth is another common orthodontic problem that young patients often have. Gaps can cause eating issues as well as tooth decay because food particles can become stuck in between teeth. 
• Bite problems. An overbite or underbite occurs when the two halves of a jaw do not align correctly. The upper or lower part of the teeth may extend farther out, resulting in a misaligned jaw. 
• Jaw pain. Pain in the jaw can be a result of sore muscles caused by grinding or joint dysfunction. Braces or surgery are some treatment options that can correct moderate or severe jaw pain. 

Still, you may be curious about the consequences of not getting your child braces. While each case is different and varies from patient to patient, some circumstances are more common than others. They include:

Minor Spacing Issues or Crowding

Without the help of a San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist to provide treatment to correct mild spacing or crowding problems, your child may need to be more careful when it comes to brushing and flossing to properly clean between crowded teeth or in the spaces between teeth. When good dental hygiene is not maintained in these areas, harmful bacteria can grow, leading to plaque and tartar buildup. This can ultimately lead to tooth decay or gum disease.

A San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist from John Redmond Orthodontics can provide treatments that create adequate space between teeth more space where necessary. When teeth are appropriately spaced and aligned, proper cleaning is easier to maintain.

Overjet

Overjet refers to space that exists between the backside of the upper front teeth and the front of the lower front teeth when the mouth is closed. It is sometimes called “buck teeth.” Failure to correct overjet can cause the upper front teeth to be more vulnerable to dental trauma.

Additionally, teeth that protrude are more susceptible to injury during sports and extracurricular athletic activities, including bike-riding and skateboarding. Furthermore, treating injuries to the front teeth can be costly, so minimizing the likelihood of dental trauma is critical.

A pediatric orthodontist from John Redmond Orthodontics offers orthodontic treatment that can effectively shift protruding teeth into their optimal positions and help avoid injury.

Crossbite or severe crowding

Without orthodontic treatment, patients with crossbite or overcrowded teeth may experience abnormal tooth wear. Crowding and crossbite can cause the upper and lower teeth to come together incorrectly. Teeth will then contact one another in places where they’re not supposed to. This can lead to dental trauma and teeth that chip, fracture, or break.

What to Anticipate During the Initial Appointment

It is important to our San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist team that your child feel comfortable and relaxed. Some children are okay with visiting the doctor, while others may be filled with anxiety and fear. What helps patients and parents alike feel more at-ease, is starting off with introductions and a tour of our clinic space.

The intention of the first appointment is figuring out whether treatment of your child’s teeth is currently needed, and where to start if it is. We may ask to gather photographs and images via x-ray of your child’s teeth, jaw, and mouth in order to diagnose problems. Additionally, we may ask to take an impression of the teeth. Then, based on the information we gather, our experienced San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist can suggest a treatment approach, if your child requires care.

The Next Step After Diagnosis

If you agree to move forward with the treatment plan, then we can schedule a day and time to get any recommended dental tool set in place (braces, clear aligners, a palatable expander, etc). We can then talk about how to care for these appliances, including hygiene practices and what foods to avoid eating. Usually, check-up appointments are scheduled fairly regularly, so our San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist can assess progress and make adjustments.

As a parent, we can understand just how important your child’s health is to you. We are more than happy to answer any questions you have about what to expect and the types of dental treatments available. We encourage you to contact us for a no-obligation consult with our San Clemente, CA pediatric orthodontist concerning how we can help your child feel at this or her very best!

Spending now can mean saving later

Orthodontic treatment is an investment in you or your children’s future oral health. Most people wish to prevent a future oral health issue than undergo treatment for one. Well-aligned teeth and a healthy bite go a long way toward preventing cavities, gum disease, and abnormal tooth wear. Treatments for these problems may be more costly the longer delay in addressing them.

Some of the most common orthodontic treatments and technologies used for patients include Invisalign, AcceleDent, iTero, and traditional metal braces. Through a combination of these various methods, patients can correct their teeth and bite problems much more efficiently over a shorter length of time. After a thorough consultation and exam, patients can better understand their condition and the possible treatment options that are best suitable for them.

If you would like a pediatric orthodontist San Clemente, CA parents recommend to evaluate your potential need for treatment, contact John Redmond Orthodontics today to schedule a consultation.