Did you know that orthodontic treatments aren’t just for teenagers? They’re actually for all ages! At Center for TMJ & Sleep Apnea, we offer a wide range of orthodontic treatments for patients as young as 4 years old to patients well into their senior years. It’s never too early or too late to start thinking about achieving straight teeth and all the benefits that come with them. Explore the different treatments we offer and then schedule an appointment with Dr. Pribyl today.
Orthodontic Solutions For Children as Young as 4 Years Old
You might think that five years old is too young to think about orthodontics for your child, but it’s actually the perfect time. At this age, your child is a good candidate for holistic orthodontic treatments. Holistic orthodontic treatments aid with correct jaw development to help reduce or prevent crooked, gapped, crowded, and misaligned teeth. Holistic orthodontics can prevent the need for future orthodontic treatments like braces, or they can simplify and shorten the length of future orthodontic treatments if they’re needed.
When you choose holistic orthodontics, your child will experience several benefits including:
- Prevent breathing issues and sleep disorders
- Reduce or eliminate the need for extractions
- Promote facial symmetry growth
- Reduce or eliminate malocclusions
- Prevent the need for jaw surgery
- Improve or prevent speech problems
- Correct oral habits
- Simplify or prevent the need for future orthodontic treatments
We offer a few different holistic orthodontic treatments for children such as the following.
Biobloc Appliance Therapy
These removable orthodontic appliances are made of hard acrylic and wire(s) and are worn full time, often with brackets on the front teeth. Biobloc guides the natural growth of the face to prevent mal-development. To accomplish this, the appliance corrects the three planes of space in the upper jaw (more forward, wider, and up to where it belongs) and also brings the lower jaw forward. This is the only treatment outside of jaw surgery that can accomplish the same results. With both jaws forward, it’s shown to improve the airway and provide children with correct oral posture. Biobloc also corrects the underlying problems that cause crooked teeth.
Myobrace
Myobrace is a holistic orthodontic appliance we recommend for ages 5 through 15. With only one hour of wear required per day and during sleep, it can address the underlying causes of crooked teeth. Wearing Myobrace encourages correct growth and jaw development. This is the perfect solution for parents searching for a holistic treatment that has minimal disruption to daily life.
Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF)
The last type of orthodontic treatment we recommend for children is Advanced Lightwire Functional (ALF) Appliance. This appliance also promotes correct jaw growth, oral posture, facial symmetry, airway development, and facial growth. An ALF appliance uses wires and is a nearly invisible appliance. It’s worn full time for the period recommended by our dentists with potential adjustments.
Orthodontics For Teens
Teenagers no longer have a limited number of orthodontic options to choose from. Our Lee’s Summit dental office offers several options for teens to choose from including the ALF appliance in addition to the following.
Traditional Braces
In the past, traditional braces were the only option teens had to choose from. Although we offer other options, traditional braces are still a great option! They use metal brackets and wires to slowly pull your teeth into their desired position. You will meet with Dr. Pribyl or Dr. Kleoppel every 4 to 6 weeks to ensure the treatment is moving along correctly and to tighten the braces. Traditional braces are non-removable and require the patient to avoid certain foods to avoid damage. We also use VPRO+ to accelerate tooth movement and reduce the overall treatment time by up to 50%.
Invisalign
Teens today love Invisalign treatment because it’s almost invisible. The treatment consists of wearing clear plastic aligners for about two weeks at a time (or as instructed by Dr. Pribyl) to gradually move the teeth. After two weeks, you will move onto the next set of aligners. Teens love being able to remove the aligners to eat their favorite foods and to easily brush and floss their teeth. If your teen wants a discreet orthodontic treatment, look no further than Invisalign.
Homeoblock Appliance
The last orthodontic treatment option we offer for teens is the Homeoblock appliance. This appliance helps to expand the arches and increase nasal patency to improve nasal breathing. It also helps to promote bone growth and bone remodeling.
Orthodontics For Adults
It’s never too late to straighten your teeth as an adult. Fortunately, adults can take advantage of all the same treatment options that teens have access to. This includes:
- ALF Appliance
- Traditional Braces
- Invisalign
- Homeoblock Appliance
Of course, Dr. Pribyl will recommend the best treatment options for you based on your individual needs.
Get Orthodontics in Lee’s Summit Today
If you would like to learn more about orthodontic options for you, your child, or someone else in your family, please schedule an appointment at our Lee’s Summit dental office. Dr. Pribyl will meet with you to evaluate your or your child’s teeth and recommend the best treatment plan. Please call (816) 795-1000 today to get started!
