Early Intervention Orthodontic Treatment

Common orthodontic issues include crossbites, crowding, spacing, protruding teeth, and missing teeth. As a recognised provider of Invisalign First treatment for children, our orthodontists can treat your child with Invisalign aligners or tools like palatal expanders and braces.

We’re committed to accommodating a diverse range of needs with a personalised approach and continuous innovation, including pediatric dentistry for young children, cosmetic dentistry to support your aesthetic goals, same-day appointments for emergency dental care, and more.

The best time to book your child’s first orthodontic consultation is when they’re around 4-9 years old. The teeth and jaw respond well to orthodontic treatment as they’re still developing and easier to move into correct alignment. Issues like underbites in toddlers may also be related to narrow airways or muscle dysfunction. In such instances, our trained children’s dentists can provide referrals to a relevant ENT or myofunctional therapist.

Even when immediate treatment isn’t required, an orthodontic consultation is still beneficial. It allows the orthodontist to monitor the growth of your child’s teeth and jaw, making sure that everything develops in a healthy way.

Your children may exhibit behaviours or physical signs that suggest misalignment issues with the teeth and jaw. Make sure you keep an eye out for these signs:

Premature or delayed loss of baby teeth
No spacing between all the baby teeth or crowding on the baby teeth
Persistent thumb sucking (after the age of 3)
Mouth breathing or snoring
Teeth grinding
Biting or chewing difficulties
Speech difficulties
Teeth that aren’t developing in the correct order
Teeth that don’t meet properly when biting
Crowded or protruding front teeth
Shifting and clicking of the jaw when the mouth opens and closes

If you’ve noticed any of the symptoms above, orthodontic treatment may be necessary to improve your child’s wellbeing. Keep in mind that jaw development and nasal breathing are interconnected. Underdeveloped jaws in children can cause dysfunctional breathing and an increased risk of snoring and sleep apnea, while mouth breathing can lead to numerous orthodontic problems.

Early detection makes orthodontic issues much more manageable. Preventive orthodontic treatment often reduces the need for complex procedures (such as jaw surgery) in the teenage years, which often involve longer treatment periods and increased costs. Here are the benefits of early detection and treatment for your child:

Minimising the need for invasive and complex treatments
Correcting bite irregularities to improve overall oral function
Reducing the risk of tooth decay, tooth loss, or gum disease
Improving teeth alignment to address misalignment and spacing problems
Correcting the jaw for balanced facial symmetry and a confident smile
Addressing oral habits like thumb-sucking and teeth grinding
Addressing any underlying dysfunctional breathing or swallowing habits
Allowing timely referrals to ENT or speech pathologists (as necessary)

We believe good oral hygiene starts as early as infancy. At Dentistry in Canterbury, we’re dedicated to providing a positive and comfortable experience during your child’s first dental visit. By staying in line with the latest training and technologies in children’s dentistry, we provide the best care in the most gentle manner possible. Book a consultation with one of our children’s dentists today – we’re here to help your child build a lifelong oral hygiene habit with confidence.

As recommended by The Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO), the ideal age for the first orthodontic appointment is between 4 and 9 years old. Around this period, the adult teeth begin to replace the baby teeth, which usually tells you if further intervention is needed for any misalignments or developmental issues.

Mental preparation is important in supporting a comfortable and stress-free dental appointment for young children. You can introduce the concept of dental visits through books or TV shows, or explain the procedures in simple terms to shape their expectations.

Our team will take X-rays, photographs, and digital scans of your child’s teeth. After that, an orthodontist will review the results and determine the best course of action for your child. Sometimes immediate treatment may be necessary; alternatively, the orthodontist may monitor your child’s dental development over time.

Misaligned teeth and bites often indicate that your child can benefit from orthodontic treatment. In addition, your child may display habits like prolonged thumb sucking, teeth grinding, loud breathing or snoring, or may struggle with chewing and biting. If you’re feeling unsure, it’s always advisable to schedule a consultation with your dentist or orthodontist for your peace of mind.

Early orthodontic intervention is effective in promoting a balanced facial structure. The treatment may target habits and growth patterns that affect your child’s facial development. For example, thumb sucking can push the teeth and jaws out of place, a crossbite can result in uneven jaw growth, while an underdeveloped lower jaw can contribute to a recessed chin profile and increase the risk of snoring and sleep apnea.