Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids & Teens in Greenwood

Gentle Early Treatment Options for Developing Smiles

Early Orthodontic Treatment Options at Scope Orthodontics

At Scope Orthodontics, early intervention is key to preventing complex orthodontic problems and guiding healthy jaw and tooth development. Our range of early treatment options are designed to address common childhood orthodontic issues effectively and comfortably.

Early Orthodontic Treatment for Kids & Teens in Greenwood

Expansion Appliances for Narrow Upper Jaws

Expansion appliances like the Quad Helix and Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME) are used to widen a narrow upper jaw (maxillary constriction). This helps correct crossbites, improve facial symmetry, and create space for teeth to align properly.

Quad Helix: A fixed appliance that gently expands the upper jaw over time.
Rapid Maxillary Expander (RME): A device that applies controlled pressure to widen the upper jaw quickly.

Habit-Correction Appliances

Thumb sucking and similar habits can affect jaw development and tooth alignment if left unaddressed. Early intervention helps prevent long-term issues with bite and facial structure.

Prevents Bite Problems: Helps correct open bites caused by habits like thumb or finger sucking.
Protects Facial Development: Reduces the risk of long-term changes to bone and jaw growth.
Anti-Habit Quad Helix: A gentle, fixed appliance proven effective in stopping unwanted oral habits.

Growth Modification (Functional) Appliances

Functional appliances correct jaw size discrepancies during growth. For example, the Twin Block appliance encourages forward growth of a small lower jaw, while a Facemask can help reposition a protrusive lower jaw.

Twin Block: Helps guide jaw growth for better bite alignment.
Facemask: Used with expansion plates to correct underbites and jaw imbalances.

Upper Removable Appliances (URAs)

Removable plates are used to correct minor tooth and bite issues early on. These appliances are custom-made and easy to wear, making them ideal for young patients.

Crossbite Correction: Gently moves a single front tooth into the correct position.
Deep Bite Correction: Reduces excessive vertical overlap of front teeth to prevent gum damage and wear.
Removable & Easy to Use: Worn full-time (except during meals, brushing, or sport) for effective results.

Interceptive Treatment

Stops problems before they progress. Interceptive treatments address early signs of misalignment or eruption issues to protect long-term dental health.

Canine Guidance: Baby teeth may be removed to help adult canines erupt correctly.
Partial Braces: Short-term braces to fix front teeth with significant misalignment.
Protects Adjacent Teeth: Prevents damage or loss of nearby developing teeth.

Space Maintainer Appliances

Preserve space for developing adult teeth when baby teeth are lost early. These fixed appliances help guide proper eruption and prevent crowding.

Prevents Crowding: Holds space so adult teeth have room to come through.
Reduces Future Treatment: Can minimise the need for tooth extractions later on.
Discreet & Effective: Fitted behind the teeth and requires little maintenance.

Frequently Asked Questions

The Australian Society of Orthodontists recommends a first orthodontic check-up around age 7, when the front adult teeth and first molars are coming through. This allows your orthodontist to detect any early bite or jaw issues and plan the best time for treatment.

While some children benefit from early treatment, others may not need braces until most adult teeth have come in, usually around ages 11–12. Every smile is unique, so a consultation is the best way to get personalised advice about the right timing for orthodontic treatment.

Thanks to modern advances in orthodontics, tooth extractions are far less common than they used to be. However, in some situations, such as severe crowding or significant protrusion, removing adult teeth may still be the best way to achieve a healthy, stable result.

If extractions are needed but not carried out, the teeth may remain too prominent or may not be properly supported by the surrounding bone, which can affect both their long-term appearance and health.

Braces are carefully attached to the surface of your teeth using a gentle dental adhesive; no needles or drilling needed. The process is non-invasive and comfortable. You won’t feel pain while the braces are being placed, though your teeth might feel slightly tender for a few days afterward as they begin to adjust and move into position.

Proper care during orthodontic treatment is key to keeping your child’s smile healthy and beautiful. Here are some easy tips to help:

- Brush thoroughly after every meal: Use a soft-bristled toothbrush and fluoride toothpaste. Spend extra time cleaning around the brackets and wires to remove food particles and plaque.

- Use interdental brushes or floss threaders: These tools help clean between teeth and under the wires where a regular toothbrush can’t reach.

- Avoid sticky, hard, or sugary foods: Foods like caramel, chewing gum, popcorn, and hard candies can damage braces or cause cavities.

- Wear any recommended orthodontic appliances, such as rubber bands or retainers, exactly as instructed by your orthodontist.

- Keep regular orthodontic and dental check-ups: This ensures your child’s braces are working properly and their teeth and gums stay healthy.

The length of orthodontic treatment varies depending on the complexity of each case and the type of appliances used. On average, most treatments take between 12 to 24 months.

Factors that can influence treatment time include:

- The severity of dental issues

- How well the patient follows the orthodontist’s instructions

- Growth and development, especially in children and teens

Minor misalignments may be corrected in as little as 6-9 months, while particularly severe or difficult case may take 3 years or more. Most comprehensive cases are usually completed in 18-24 months. Your orthodontist will provide a personalised estimate during your consultation and keep you updated throughout your treatment journey.

Retainers are special devices your child will wear after their orthodontic treatment to keep their teeth in the right place. After braces or other appliances help move teeth, retainers help make sure the teeth stay steady as the mouth grows and changes.

There are different types of retainers, some that can be taken out and others that stay in place. Your orthodontist will guide you on the best option for your child’s smile. Wearing retainers as instructed is important to keep those beautiful results for years to come.

Retainer wear is an important part of maintaining your child’s new smile. Typically, children need to wear their retainers full-time for the first few months after braces or treatment are finished. After this initial period, the orthodontist will usually recommend wearing them only at night.

Since every smile is different, your orthodontist will give specific instructions based on your child’s treatment. Following these guidelines helps ensure teeth stay in their new positions for the long term.

Maintaining excellent oral hygiene is key to the success of your orthodontic treatment. That’s why we created our iSmile Rewards Program, to encourage and reward you for brushing and flossing regularly to keep your teeth and gums healthy.

At each adjustment appointment, we’ll score your oral hygiene on a scale of 1 to 5. If you score between 3 and 5, you’ll earn tickets to enter our iSmile barrel, located near the practice entrance.

Every month, we draw a winner who receives a $50 gift card, usable anywhere EFTPOS is accepted. The better you care for your teeth, the more chances you have to win!

At the end of the year, all the tickets from every month go into a grand draw. Last year’s lucky winner took home an iPad Mini — stay tuned for this year’s exciting Grand Prize!

Absolutely! You can continue to enjoy your favorite sports and musical activities while wearing braces. For sports, we recommend wearing a custom mouthguard to protect your teeth and braces from impact. If you play a wind or brass instrument, it might take a little practice at first, but most people adapt quickly and can play comfortably with braces.

Yes! Wearing a mouthguard during sports is important to protect your teeth and braces from injury. We recommend using a custom-fitted mouthguard designed specifically for braces to ensure the best comfort and protection. We offer mouthguards in our practice, just ask a member of staff.

Yes! It’s important for your child to continue regular dental check-ups every six months while wearing braces or aligners. Adults might need more frequent visits or specialist care from a periodontist to keep gums and bone healthy. Routine dental exams help ensure your teeth and gums stay strong throughout orthodontic treatment.

Yes. To protect braces and keep treatment on track, your child should avoid hard, sticky, or chewy foods such as nuts, popcorn, chewing gum, hard candies, and chewy sweets. These foods can damage brackets and wires, causing discomfort and longer treatment times. We will provide a full list of foods to avoid when braces are placed.

Some complex cases may require jaw surgery combined with orthodontics. Our orthodontist will discuss all options during your child’s treatment planning and refer to specialists as needed.

Broken brackets or wires can cause discomfort and delay treatment. Use orthodontic wax to protect irritated areas and contact us promptly for repairs. Avoid trying to fix wires yourself.

Early Orthodontics for Kids & Teens

Why Early Orthodontic Treatment Matters

When Should My Child See an Orthodontist?