Orthodontic appliance
A child or an adult may need an orthodontic appliance for several reasons related to the growth of the jaws and the development of the teeth. The goal isn’t just esthetic: above all, it is to ensure optimal function and harmonious growth.
An appliance may be recommended to:
- Correct a mismatch between the jaws (front/back, vertical or width)
- Guide bone growth when it is unbalanced
- Create the space needed for permanent teeth to come in
- Prevent future problems, such as impacted teeth, severe crowding or surgery in adulthood
- Improve breathing, chewing or swallowing, when these functions affect facial growth
- Stabilize the bite to ensure lasting alignment over time
In many cases, intervening early makes the child’s natural growth an ally, which makes treatments simpler, more effective and often shorter.
The two main phases of orthodontics
In orthodontics, treatment generally takes place in two distinct phases.
Phase 1: the preparatory phase
Phase 1 takes place during the child’s bone growth. Its goal is not to align the teeth esthetically, but rather to prepare the bone foundations to ensure optimal alignment in phase 2.
This phase makes it possible to:
- guide the growth of the upper and lower jaws
- correct front/back, up/down or width mismatches
- create a favourable environment for permanent teeth to come in
- maximize the long-term stability of the bite
In other words, phase 1 lays the groundwork so that phase 2 can align the teeth precisely and lastingly.
What types of appliances do you offer?
There are more than twenty appliances, fixed or removable, to effectively treat children according to their specific needs.
During your consultation, we will take the time to:
- show you the different appliances available
- explain how they work
- determine which one best suits your child’s situation
Each appliance has a specific role, and our goal is to choose the most suitable solution to support growth optimally.