"We are important because we are the only ones who can modify the structure of the maxillary bone, which actually shapes nothing more and nothing less than the middle third of the face. We work in a crucial area for performing all vital functions: chewing, swallowing, speaking, and, most importantly, breathing."
The baby should have a consultation with the pediatric dentist as soon as the first tooth emerges. The pediatric dentist should assess their growth, conduct the transdisciplinary protocol, and evaluate the need for treatment.
"The truth is that malocclusion, well called by sleep medicine specialists, craniofacial anomaly, is telling us about something more, something deeper that is fundamentally related to the airway. Pediatric dentists and orthodontists must be able to interpret this craniofacial anomaly, and in many cases, diagnose or predict an OSA (obstructive sleep apnea) disorder."
Basically, to be collaborators in improving the quality of life for the child by addressing the structural problem.
The duration of the treatment and its complexity is directly proportional to the age of the patient. The younger the child, the better prognosis we will achieve in less time. Generally, the treatment lasts about a year from diagnosis to completion, including exercises for good oral posture. Our team's goal is for the child to breathe through the nose during the day and night. Of course, with early maxillary expansion, we achieve an aesthetic and healthy smile.
There are different types of appliances for the expansion and protrusion of the jaws. The choice of orthodontic appliances is determined after a correct transdisciplinary diagnosis.
Currently, many children experience inadequate jaw growth due to two main causes: soft diet and improper oral rest posture.
The orthodontist plays an extremely important role; they are the only specialist who can change the architecture of the jaws.
Indeed, mouth breathing is the most obvious manifestation of a syndromic model involving a circuit of frequent infections, malocclusion, incorrect speech, abnormalities in body position, and changes in sleep." - Christian Guilleminault. That's why it's useless to approach them from a single specialty; many specialties work towards the same goal of improving the health of these preschool children.
