Correct tooth and jaw position forms the basis for healthy teeth into old age. Healthy growth is necessary for correct tooth eruption, supports good chewing function, clear speech and thus enables the best possible dental hygiene. We recommend a first check-up with Dr. Ewen in Obermenzing from the age of four. An early preventive examination helps to identify abnormal developments at an early stage, and the effects of thumb sucking or pacifier use can also be identified in good time.

Here are some situations where early treatment might be considered:

• Problems with jaw growth
  If problems related to jaw growth are identified, early treatment may be necessary to guide and correct jaw growth.
• Avoiding later complications
  Early treatment can help minimize or prevent potential later complications by intervening early and controlling the development of dental and jaw problems.
• Improvement of airway function
  In some cases, early treatment can help improve breathing problems or problems with airway function, especially in children with sleep apnea or other breathing disorders.

It is important to note that not every patient automatically needs early treatment. Dr. Ewen and her team at heyzahn in Obermenzing will evaluate the individual circumstances of each patient and decide whether early treatment makes sense. Their motto is "Minimal effort, optimal benefit."

The three most common indications for early treatment are:

1. A lateral crossbite
   A lateral crossbite is caused by an upper jaw that is too narrow and always leads to a shift of the lower jaw towards the crossbite side. The forced position of the lower jaw can cause asymmetrical growth in the jaw joint, the growth center of the lower jaw. It is therefore advisable to specifically guide jaw growth by using braces.
2. Overbite
   A gap of more than 9 mm between the upper and lower front teeth not only makes it difficult for children to bite, but also increases the risk of front tooth trauma (e.g. when falling off a bicycle, playing ball or tripping) and thus damage to permanent front teeth. It is therefore advisable to specifically guide jaw growth by using braces.
3. Frontal crossbite
   A frontal crossbite often occurs due to excessive growth of the lower jaw, which means that the front teeth cannot meet properly. In this case, it is advisable to try to slow down the growth of the lower jaw early on and to guide it specifically by using braces.

Early treatment usually lasts 1.5 years or 6 quarters. It is important to note that the goal of early treatment is not to align all teeth perfectly, but to positively influence jaw and facial growth. This is because we need to perform early treatment before the second mixed dentition phase - in this phase, not all permanent teeth have erupted yet and therefore we cannot move them completely.

Is your child’s oral health important to you?
If you would like to arrange a quick appointment for diagnosis or treatment - even on weekends - or need further information about your first visit to heyzahn, you can contact us by phone at 089-9731-3969 or send us an email to info@heyzahn.de .

We are happy to answer any questions you may have about orthodontic treatment for children!

Your orthodontic team from heyzahn Obermenzing Munich