Modern Approach to Orthodontics
If you’re looking to straighten your teeth, you may want to learn more about orthodontic treatment. Whether you’re a parent who’s concerned about your child’s oral health, a teenager who wants a straighter-looking smile, or an adult looking to manage jaw-related problems like a TMJD (temporomandibular joint disorder), our professionals can advise you on possible treatment plans.
For more information, book your consultation with one of our Townsville dentists. Call us on 07 4755 2055 or make an appointment online.
What can we offer?
At North Queensland Family Dental, we believe that appropriate orthodontic treatment can offer benefits beyond a straighter smile or cosmetic changes; it may improve your oral health and general well-being, too.
At North Queensland Family Dental, we offer:
- early intervention/interceptive treatment
- orthopaedics
- orthotropics
- Invisalign®
- Damon self-ligating braces
- clear braces
- Smilefast™
- non-extraction treatment philosophy
Early intervention/interceptive orthodontic treatment
Many orthodontists and orthodontic associations recommend that children get their first orthodontic assessment between the ages of 7 and 10 years. Typically around this age, your child will have a combination of baby and adult teeth. This can give us a wealth of information regarding potential problems such as crowding, cross-bites, deep-bites, over-bites and under-bites.
The aim of early intervention, often known as phase 1 orthodontic interceptive treatment, is to guide the growth and development of the jaws, and treat the early signs of bite problems.
With early treatment, we aim to develop the jaws to accommodate all permanent teeth. This may lower your child’s risk of needing permanent teeth extractions in the future.
If a child’s front teeth are protruding, early intervention may be able to lower the risk of physical damage and trauma to the teeth.
Signs your child might benefit from orthodontic treatment
Here are 8 signs your child may benefit from having an orthodontic assessment by one of our dental professionals:
- Early, late or irregular loss of baby teeth
- Difficulty in chewing or biting
- Mouth breathing
- Protruding teeth
- Thumb sucking beyond the age of 5
- Underbite or overbite
- Crowding, crooked of misplaced teeth
- Jaw and teeth that are out of proportion to the rest of the face
Behaviours such as difficulty swallowing, tongue thrust, thumb/finger sucking, and persistent mouth breathing can affect the development of the jaws, as can factors like allergies, asthma, nutrition and posture. Problematic jaw development may sometimes cause crooked teeth or even impact facial appearance. It can be helpful to evaluate these factors at an early age.
Click here to learn more about our clinic’s oral health care treatments and services for children.