BY: Bill Williams, DMD, MAGD, Suwanee Dental Care
Everybody knows the importance of sleep, even more so when it comes to the development of your child. Studies as recent as July of this year show that almost one third of the pediatric population suffers from some type of sleep related problem. Restlessness, bedwetting, sleep apnea, and tooth grinding are examples. If left untreated, these poor sleeping patterns can have a negative impact on the development of your child and may lead to behavioral problems such as hyperactivity, anxiety, and moodiness. In fact, a recent study completed in Finland in 2009 showed that short sleep was associated with higher readings for ADHD and inattention.
So how can a dental appliance that was initially designed to just straighten teeth also promote better sleeping patterns? Nite-Guide and Occlus-O-Guide from Orthotain are two appliances dentist use to help straighten teeth. They also help promote the downward and outward growth and development of the upper and lower jaw. In doing so the protrusion of the lower jaw promotes positive airway expansion allowing for a better quality of sleep. This is a very significant benefit of these and similar appliances. Many of the sleeping problems mentioned earlier are associated with the poor delivery of oxygen. By expanding the child’s airway, more oxygen is delivered and a healthier sleep pattern is established. Additionally, both devices are worn at night and promote nasal breathing by forming a seal at the opening of the mouth. This helps eliminate tooth grinding and reduce snoring habits in the child allowing for a healthier sleep.
What about the teeth straightening?
Beyond the benefits related to sleep, this dental therapy provides an excellent correction of many forms of malocclusion in children. When it comes to teeth straightening, many parents do not consider orthodontic treatment for their kids until they reach adolescence, typically around 12 years old. That means starting treatment when the teeth are already in a crowded position. The child would generally have to go to full metal braces to correct the problem. Early orthodontic treatment, between ages 5 and 7, has been shown to easily and effectively prevent many future, more painful, orthodontic problems. With Orthotain your child may actually avoid discomfort and embarrassment because of traditional braces.
Interceptive orthodontics is early or preventive orthodontics done with young children, generally from
the age of about 5 to 10. By interceding, or intercepting, a potential or developing problem, your dentist can ensure there will be adequate room needed for permanent teeth to come through and position themselves correctly. Clinical studies show that early childhood orthodontic treatment greatly reduces the need for fixed orthodontic treatment (aka metal braces) or TMJ therapy later in life. With interceptive orthodontics your child can straighten his or her teeth without uncomfortable metal wires and brackets.
The two appliances mentioned earlier for interceptive orthodontics, the Nite-Guide and the Occlus-o-Guide, are utilized based on the child’s age during treatment. The typical age range for the Nite-Guide is 5 to 7 years, although some severe cases may be started once the child is 3 years old. After reaching age 8, the child will utilize the Occlus-o-Guide appliance to ensure proper jaw development and tooth eruption.
These devices are comfortable for the child and are worn during the night. In older children the device will also be worn for one to two hours during the day. These removable appliances can be combined with fixed expanders, 2×4 bracket systems and Invisalign systems for even more ideal results, too. Ask your dentist for more information on this and other systems.
■ For more information visit: http://atlantagentledental.com
