Early diagnosis of growth issues

When infants are born, the strongest muscle in their body is the tongue. Stronger even than the soft bones of the skull and body, so its not surprising that tongue function has an early and ongoing impact as the bones and teeth grow. Orthodontists move teeth through bone by steady slow pressure on the teeth - so do all the muscles of the oral cavity - tongue, lips, cheeks as we function from day to day. If addressed early enough, changing oral muscle habits can correct growth and tooth alignment issues. 

Why does this matter?

 The shape of the inside of the mouth is related to the shape of the upper airway, jaws and face. We all need room in our mouths for our tongue to fit comfortably to allow for unobstructed breathing while awake and asleep. The tongue is just one piece of the puzzle, as there are other causes of airway obstruction that need to be evaluated. The goal of early intervention is the prevention and treatment of obstructive sleeps apneas, prevention of severe tooth crowding, and improved facial aesthetics. 

Making space

Before adulthood the flat seams or sutures of the palate, and also the bone that holds the teeth,  are able to be shaped gently to increase space for teeth, and possibly widen the upper airway as well. The front to back position of the jaw can be adjusted also, to allow the jaw joints and bone to grow into a better position. The causes of the crowded teeth also need to be investigated and ideally treated to prevent relapse.  

Options

As every child and family is unique, we aim to help you find the best solution for you. Depending on the age of the child and the root cause of the issue, the treatment options will vary. For example, habits such as thumb sucking could be  addressed with myofunctional therapy only, and nasal congestion or tonsils that inhibit airway and correct breathing need to be investigated by an pediatrician, ENT, or allergist.
Oral expansion can be very effective at a young age before growth is complete, and though some space relapse can occur, there is generally an overall gain. This can be accomplished with fixed or removable appliances with an orthodontist, and we are happy to make referrals to airway focused orthodontic practitioners. 
Once space is made, we need to learn how to use it correctly to prevent relapse - this is again where myofunctional therapy is important. Note that it is not easy to correct established oral habits.

Biobloc, Myobrace, Function

Dr Roche is not an orthodontic specialist, but she can treat some children with the Biobloc upper and lower appliances to gain space for the adult teeth.  She works with myofunctional therapists to teach the child to maintain the space and correct muscle function. Sometimes other appliances help with the training or maintenance of space, including a variety of Myobrace appliances. Dr Roche customizes treatment to the child and progress.