Orthodontics and Cleft Palate

There are many reasons why a child might have overcrowded teeth, but one in particular requires close coordination between an orthodontist and an oral surgeon. Cleft palates have many implications for a child’s oral health. We can provide crucial treatment at Dr. Cynthia Wong’s Orland Park office, and we want parents to understand how orthodontics will make a positive impact on their child.

Overcrowded, crooked teeth are difficult to clean. Children who have cleft palates suffer from especially high rates of tooth decay and are often unable to brush and floss thoroughly on their own until they are about nine or ten. Tooth decay is especially devastating during a child’s early years, since pain can disrupt their sleep, eating, and speech development. The misaligned teeth themselves can also make speaking difficult.

Oral surgeons may treat children by grafting bone tissue into the gap in their upper palates. But first, they often require the assistance of an orthodontist to use braces to move the child’s teeth out of the way. Children with cleft palates are usually referred to orthodontists early in life and aveolar bone grafts typically take place between the ages of eight and twelve. If a child is missing a permanent tooth, we may use braces to move their teeth to create room for an artificial crown.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit Dr. Cynthia Wong and send a message.

 

When to Start Orthodontics

It’s never too late to start orthodontic treatment, but parents often wonder at what age it’s appropriate to start. At Dr. Cynthia Wong’s orthodontic office in Orland Park, we want our patients and their families to understand what is a normal timetable for different treatments and why they are necessary.

We recommend that children undergo an orthodontic assessment when they’re about seven years old, although it would be rare to begin braces or extractions at that age. Some sort of appliance may be recommended in cases of an underbite or narrow arch, but with more common malocclusions, we’d probably take a wait-and-see approach until the child is about ten.  (An exception would be if the child has lost a permanent tooth, in which case they may need a space maintainer until the other permanent teeth come in.) Although adults commonly undergo orthodontic corrections for cosmetic issues such as gaps and jumbled teeth, the age of ten to fourteen is when people respond best to major corrections. This is the best opportunity to fix impacted canines, for example, because the child has all their permanent teeth but their skull bones have not yet solidified. At this age, children are also more ready for braces psychologically and are better suited to maintain their oral hygiene.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.

 

Thumb Sucking

Thumb sucking is one of the most common reasons why people need orthodontic treatment. It is also a common habit among young children, so parents are often reasonably concerned about it.

Until the child’s permanent teeth start coming in, there is little cause for worry. Children’s skull bones are more flexible than those of adults, and while thumb sucking puts pressure on them, they can spring back. However, with the eruption of the first permanent teeth around the age of five, children’s faces start to solidify. After this point, continued thumb sucking will draw the teeth forward, resulting in an open bite, and they have a higher chance of being stuck that way.

An open bite makes oral hygiene difficult and may interfere with speech, which is why orthodontics is needed to correct it. If thumb sucking continues during or after orthodontic work, the patient will have a high risk of relapse. Because thumb sucking is often motivated by a need to self-soothe, it is best to include the child in developing strategies for breaking the habit. In extreme cases, assistance from a child psychologist may be necessary.

Cynthia Wong, DMD, operates at 15614 S Harlem #B, Orland Park, Illinois, 60462. To contact her office, call 708-444-8341 or visit DrCynthiaWong.com and send a message.