Children: The appropriate age to treat malocclusions varies depending on the type of problem and its severity. But, although the orthodontist may decide that it is more appropriate to wait for treatment in the case of some children, it is important to consult an orthodontist if an abnormality or chewing function problems are detected. Although there is no obvious problem, it is necessary to take the children to the orthodontist at six years of age for his first review the early detection of malocclusions.

Orthodontics children

Unless the trusted dentist detects any reason to take the child to the specialist before, the 6 years is the optimal age for his first orthodontic review

The interceptive treatments are usually carried out on the children’s age, typically during dentition (the so – called milk teeth) or mixed (when live baby teeth with the final) and are made to try to prevent further alterations, although the fact performing them does not prevent a correction later from being required due to the appearance of another similar or completely different anomaly.

They are usually carried out to modify habits that may negatively interfere with optimal growth of the face and jaws.

The objective of the interceptive treatments is usually the correction of incipient alterations, which if not carried out, would worsen the malocclusion.

Adolescence: Orthodontic treatments are usually associated with the age of growth, especially between 12 and 15 years, which is the ideal time to correct dental crowding and skeletal problems, especially if they already have all the final teeth. High metabolism that is experienced in this vital period favors the movement of the teeth, which allows orthodontic treatments to be more efficient and short.

The majority of problems presented by adolescent patients who need to carry out an orthodontic treatment are of a genetic nature (excessive tooth spacing, dental crowding, protruding teeth or problems in the development of the jaws, above all).

But there are also other reasons that can lead teenagers to need orthodontic treatment, such as breathing through the mouth, the loss of late or early milk teeth in excess, bad habits (nail bites, for example) or dental diseases. , among other causes.

Adults: Although adolescence is the most biologically appropriate age, more and more adults undergo orthodontic treatment. In some cases it is due to the social changes that have caused orthodontics to lose its stigma that links it to adolescence, but in others it is due to the fact that the teeth move throughout life and that our mouths also accuses the age, since with the passage of the years the dental pieces wear out and the line of the smile goes down causing that each time the lower teeth are seen less.

Solving this crowding not only benefits the patient for aesthetic reasons, but when the teeth are crowded is more complicated to brush properly, so they increase the chances of suffering a periodontal disease due to plaque buildup.

For adults it is usual to use transparent aligners, invisible orthodontics (lingual) or conventional fixed brackets to correctly reposition the teeth and improve occlusion. In severe cases of malocclusion, it is sometimes necessary to resort to orthographic surgery.

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