Braces are a common orthodontic treatment for fixing jaw alignment in children. They gradually improve jaw alignment by applying pressure to both teeth and the jaw.
In this article, we cover what misaligned jaws are, what causes them to occur, and how braces can fix jaw alignment for your child.
At Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry, our child orthodontists can help you explore whether braces are right to fix your child’s jaw alignment.
Please call (480) 422-4544 to schedule an appointment!
How Braces Can Treat Misaligned Jaws
Metal braces and Invisalign clear aligners are effective in correcting jaw misalignment issues through the same principle they use to reposition teeth: continuous pressure over time.
In addition to moving teeth into correct alignment, the braces can also fix jaw alignment issues by pulling the jaw forward or backward to achieve bite correction.
- Braces may aid in repositioning upper teeth overlapping excessively with lower teeth by pushing back the lower or upper teeth to improve bite.
- Braces can correct a situation in which upper jaw teeth bite down on the lower jaw.
How effective braces are in correcting misaligned jaws depends on multiple factors, including the severity of the malocclusion and the patient’s age.
Sometimes, braces alone are enough in milder cases of crooked jaw correction.
In more difficult cases, braces may be combined with other orthodontic treatments like headgear braces, palatal expanders to widen the upper jaw, and orthognathic surgery.
How Long Do Braces Take to Fix a Malocclusion?
How long it takes to correct misaligned jaws with braces depends on the extent of the misalignment:
- Mild misalignments can take between 6 and 12 months to correct.
- Severe misalignment cases can take 3 years or longer to complete.
What Happens Once Braces Treatment is Complete?
The benefits of successful braces treatment in a jaw misalignment case make the time spent wearing braces worthwhile. Your child should see the following improvements:
- Improved chewing efficiency
- Reduced wear on the tooth enamel surfaces
- Clearer speech
- Reduced risk of tooth decay and gum disease
- Straight teeth and a better smile, along with improved self-confidence and self-esteem
Maintaining Jaw Alignment After Braces
Once braces treatment for misaligned jaws is complete, it is usually necessary to do some follow-up steps to maintain the corrections. Your child’s orthodontist may include or recommend any of the following orthodontic appliances or behavioral patterns.
A Retainer
A retainer is a custom-made device that holds the teeth in their new positions. Retainers come in three main types:
- Hawley retainers: These are removable and fit against the roof of the mouth or behind the lower teeth.
- Essix retainers: These removable retainers are made of clear plastic, similar to Invisalign clear aligners, and fit over the teeth.
- Fixed retainers: These consist of a thin wire permanently bonded to the back of the teeth.
Removable retainers require some self-discipline to use effectively because their effectiveness decreases if they are left out too often and for too long.
Behavioral Patterns
In addition to wearing retainers, you can encourage your child to develop habits that can help maintain the benefits of correct jaw alignment after braces:
- Maintaining good oral hygiene: Brushing and flossing regularly can help prevent plaque buildup on tooth surfaces and along the gumline, both of which can contribute to shifting of teeth over time.
- Eating a healthy diet: Strong bones and teeth are more resistant to losing their positions. Eating foods high in calcium and vitamin D promotes stronger jaw bones and teeth.
- Avoiding bad habits: Some behaviors that can contribute to a jaw misalignment condition are just as likely to erase progress made from braces treatment. These include nail-biting and teeth grinding.
- Maintaining good posture: Proper posture contributes to proper jaw alignment. By avoiding slouching or hunching, your child can reduce the chance of losing progress made through braces treatment.
- Using mouthguards for sports: If your child participates in athletics, especially contact sports, wearing a mouthguard not only reduces the risk of injury to the teeth, but it can also help prevent jaw misalignment caused by trauma to the face during sporting events.
- Regular dental check-ups: Your pediatric dentist can detect possible post-braces problems if you keep bringing your child in for regular checkups and cleanings. These are also good opportunities to get help and advice from your dentist on how to promote good oral health habits or overcome bad ones.
What Are Misaligned Jaws?
A proper, neutral jaw position is how your child’s lower and upper jaws are positioned when chewing.
A malocclusion (misaligned jaw) occurs when the upper and lower jaws do not align properly for any of several reasons.
This can lead to complications like mouth pain, difficulty chewing food, speech difficulties, and more.
What Causes Misaligned Jaws?
Jaw misalignment can be caused by a variety of conditions and including:
- Genetic causes
- Childhood habits like digit sucking or prolonged bottle feeding
- Injury to the jaw
- Birth defects
What are the Symptoms of Misaligned Jaws?
Misaligned jaws manifest in any of the following kinds of malocclusions:
- Overbite: This describes a condition in which the upper jaw significantly overlaps the lower jaw.
- Underbite: This occurs when the lower jaw extends beyond the upper jaw.
- Crossbite: This condition occurs when some of the upper teeth fit inside the lower teeth rather than outside.
- Open Bite: This happens when the upper and lower teeth do not touch when the mouth is closed.
These conditions can contribute to the following symptoms:
- Chronic jaw pain and discomfort
- Headaches
- Trouble chewing food
- Uneven tooth enamel wear, and in severe cases tooth damage including tooth breakage
- In severe cases, obstructive sleep apnea
Can Your Child Use Braces to Fix Jaw Alignment?
Braces, alone or in combination with other treatments, can be effective for correcting a misaligned jaw. If you believe that your child is suffering from upper or lower jaw problems, you can call on our pediatric dentists and orthodontists at Ironwood Pediatric Dentistry for help.
Our child dentists and orthodontists can help your child overcome many common oral health problems, including teeth misalignment and jaw functionality issues like misaligned jaws.
Call our dental office at (480) 422-4544 or reach us by using our online contact form to speak with one of our Scottsdale pediatric orthodontists.
