Why is early orthodontic care crucial? Unlike adults, children’s jaws are growing, allowing orthodontists to guide development, prevent complex issues, and ensure healthier permanent smiles.
Many parents assume braces are a teenage rite of passage, but waiting until adolescence can sometimes complicate treatment. At Burlingame Smile Studio, we often explain that orthodontic care involves much more than just straightening crooked teeth. Understanding the difference between pediatric and adult orthodontics is essential because children have a unique advantage that adults do not. Their jaws are still growing, which opens the door for preventative care that can save time, money, and discomfort down the road.
Children’s Smiles Are Still Developing
The primary difference between treating a child and an adult lies in skeletal development. A child’s mouth is a dynamic environment where the jaw is actively growing, baby teeth are shedding, and permanent teeth are erupting. This growth phase is a critical window of opportunity. Orthodontists can harness this natural development to guide the jaw into a better position. For adults, the jawbone is set and rigid, meaning structural changes often require surgery or longer treatment times. Timing matters significantly more for younger patients because we can work with their biology rather than against it.
How Pediatric Orthodontic Treatment Works
Pediatric orthodontics focuses heavily on interception and guidance rather than just cosmetic correction. Since the bone is softer and the sutures of the jaw have not yet fused, we can use specialized appliances to expand the palate or adjust jaw alignment comfortably. This approach creates the necessary room for incoming permanent teeth to settle into their correct positions naturally. The goal is to set the foundation for a healthy bite, which often makes later treatment with braces much shorter and less invasive.
How Adult Orthodontics Takes a Different Approach
In contrast, adult orthodontics deals with a permanent, static structure. Because the jaw has finished growing, treatment is strictly corrective. We are moving fully rooted teeth through dense bone to fix alignment or bite issues that have existed for years. While adults can certainly achieve beautiful results, they often face limitations that children do not. Without the benefit of growth, severe skeletal misalignments in adults are harder to resolve without surgical intervention or tooth extraction.
The Power of an Early Orthodontic Evaluation
An early evaluation is one of the most proactive steps a parent can take. Identifying bite problems before they worsen allows for timely intervention. By addressing issues like crowding or crossbites early, we can reduce the likelihood of needing permanent tooth extractions later in life. This preventative mindset helps streamline future care and prevents minor issues from evolving into complex dental problems.
Signs Your Child May Need Orthodontic Attention
Parents should watch for specific indicators that suggest a consultation is necessary. If a child has difficulty chewing or biting into food, it may signal a misalignment. Mouth breathing and thumb sucking are also habits that can reshape the jaw negatively over time. Additionally, early or late loss of baby teeth, crowded front teeth, or jaws that shift or make sounds when opening are all clear signs that professional attention is required to assess dental health.
Setting the Stage for a Healthier Smile
Early visits do more than just fix teeth. They help children feel comfortable with the dental environment and reduce anxiety about future care. Planning ahead ensures a smoother path to a confident smile. Burlingame Smile Studio provides thoughtful orthodontic care for children and families throughout Burlingame, Hillsborough, and Millbrae, helping young patients achieve optimal oral health through timely and compassionate treatment.
Contact Dr. April Lee at Burlingame Smile Studio
(650) 231-2680
Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):
1740 Marco Polo Way Ste 12
Burlingame, California
94010
