Orthopaedic Orthodontics

Preventive orthodontics in children is fundamental. Once the growth is finished, possible alterations of the maxillary and/or jaw bones can no longer be corrected, so it is essential to do so at an early age.

The appropriate age for a first orthodontic visit is 6 years. This is when the first definitive molars erupt and when it is optimal to perform the first orthopantomography or mouth x-ray to assess possible eruption alterations.

At this age, the most important thing is to assess if the size of the jaws is adequate. Therefore, it is important to see that the upper dental arch occludes above the lower arch, that is, that it closes as a box would, in which the upper lid closes covering the base of the lower one.

If the closure is adequate, no orthodontic treatment should be initiated until the replacement and eruption of the final teeth. If, on the other hand, the upper dental arch does not occlude above the lower arch, a crossbite can be observed, which must be treated with some type of fixed maxillary expander, which will be corrected between 8 and 12 months.

If a crossbite is not corrected as soon as possible, it causes a lateralized closure of the jaw that causes, over time, a facial asymmetry due to deviation of the jaw and a masticatory asymmetry.