Early intervention the key to treating malocclusion
A paediatric dentist has stated that early intervention is the key to treating malocclusion.
Dr Leonard Carapezza, a paediatric dentist and an associated professor at Tufts University School of Medicine, said that it was extremely important that bad bites were treated as early as possible, as they can contribute to oral health problems and problems associated with low self-esteem and a lack of confidence.
It is estimated that 70 percent of children will have developed a bad bite by the time they reach puberty and most cases are attributed to oral health habits and repetitive actions, such as thumb-sucking and mouth breathing. The remaining 30 percent of cases are attributed to hereditary problems and neuromuscular conditions.
Dr Carapezza claims that the latest age a child should be examined is seven years old; after their examination, a treatment plan can be drawn up and the malocclusion can be corrected before it causes other structural problems.
Nowadays, the range of treatments on offer is vast and children and teenagers have a much wider choice.
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