Facial Growth and Remodeling Orthodontics

Childhood is marked by numerous milestones. As children grow up, we track their emotional, cognitive, and physical development to ensure they’re on pace with what our expectations are for someone at that age. A child’s dentist is often one of the most important people in recording their physical development milestones, specifically in terms of facial growth and remodeling.

Facial Growth in Childhood Development

In regards to childhood milestones, facial development is arguably one of the most critical. A person’s face is their identity and is a cornerstone for how they’ll see themselves and how other people will see them as well. The progress of a child’s facial growth, particularly their jaw, is a key point of interest for dentists. A jaw that doesn’t reach its growth potential can lead to future functional issues, namely temporomandibular joint disorder.

Underdeveloped Jaw Side Effects

An underdeveloped jaw can lead to several problems for children as they grow up, especially as they lose their baby teeth and grow their adult teeth. Some of these potential problems include:

  • Malocclusion
  • Temporomandibular joint disorder
  • Sleep apnea
  • Mouth breathing
  • Teeth grinding

Remodeling Solutions

While children are undergoing all of this development and transition throughout the first decade of their life, they’re also the most malleable. Neuromuscular dental professionals like Dr. Wallace can use this transitionary period to guide a child’s facial growth to the optimal result. Growth guidance and remodeling are exciting options to solve the dilemma of jaw underdevelopment. For more information on what this process might look like for your child, call our office at (843) 410-0345.

Benefits of Childhood Intervention

Intervening early with children at risk for developing any of the side effects that go along with an underdeveloped jaw is crucial. Children’s development can be steered in the right direction early so that full mouth reconstruction may not be necessary when they’re older. Benefits of early intervention can include mitigating future problems such as:

  • Chronic jaw pain
  • Airway issues
  • Snoring
  • Bedwetting

Facial Growth and Remodeling at Palmetto Smiles of Beaufort

Continuing regular appointments with your child’s dentist can do wonders for them down the road. By having the eyes of a medical professional on your child’s teeth, jaw, and facial growth can ensure they stay on track developmentally. Parents can schedule a consultation with Dr. Wallace today by calling our office at (843) 410-0345 or visiting our contact page.

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