Orthodontic Treatment Indications, St-Eustache

What Treatment at What Age?

At Dr. David Benguira, we understand that each patient has unique orthodontic needs, requiring a personalized approach based on age and case specifics. Orthodontic treatments can be divided into several categories, each tailored to a particular stage of dental development. Whether for interceptive treatment, comprehensive treatment, or adult orthodontics, we are committed to providing effective solutions tailored to each situation.

We broadly identify four main categories of orthodontic treatments:

Interception processing
This type of treatment is often initiated during childhood to correct dental and skeletal abnormalities early. It aims to guide the development of the jaws and teeth in order to prevent more serious problems in adolescence or adulthood.

Interception processing followed by a second processing phase
In some cases, interceptive treatment is not enough to completely correct the malocclusion. A second phase of treatment is then necessary, usually when all permanent teeth are in place. This two-stage approach allows problems to be treated more conservatively and often avoids the extraction of permanent teeth.

The complete treatment
Complete treatment is usually recommended for older adolescents (12 years and older) and adults. This treatment is performed in a single phase, aimed at correcting the alignment of teeth and jaws permanently.

Orthodontics for adults with or without surgery
Adult orthodontics may require different approaches, including surgical treatments to correct severe misalignments that were not treated earlier in life. Adults also have access to more discreet treatment options, such as lingual orthodontics or Invisalign aligners.

Common Problems / Treatment Indications

Anterior cross bite
An untreated anterior crossbite can lead to excessive growth of the lower jaw, tooth wear, and gum recession. Early intervention is essential to prevent these complications.

Incisor protrusion
Protruding incisors can increase the risk of trauma and fracture of the anterior teeth. Orthodontic treatment can protect these teeth by realigning them properly.

Canine included
An impacted canine can cause the lateral incisor to resorb if left untreated. A combination of orthodontic and sometimes surgical treatment is often necessary to allow the canine to erupt.

Palatal bite
A palatal bite, where the lower teeth bite and traumatize the gum tissue on the palate, can cause significant damage if not corrected. Early orthodontic treatment is recommended.

Spaces
Excessive spaces between teeth, especially between the upper incisors, can prevent the canines from erupting normally. Orthodontic treatment can resolve this problem.

Dental agenesis
Congenital absence of a tooth requires a decision whether to extract the baby tooth or retain it, based on the patient's occlusion and skeletal pattern.

Presence of a supernumerary tooth
A supernumerary tooth can block the eruption of permanent teeth. Its extraction is often necessary to allow normal development of the other teeth.

Gap
Open bite, often caused by thumb sucking, can result in a lack of contact between the anterior teeth. Stopping thumb sucking and undergoing orthodontic intervention can allow the open bite to be corrected spontaneously.

Upper jaw too narrow
An upper jaw that is too narrow can lead to bone asymmetry if left untreated. Early orthodontic treatment is crucial to promote better nasal breathing and normal growth of the upper jaw.

Two-phase approach

Depending on the age of the patient and the type of dental problem, we sometimes perform interceptive treatment alone, or a two-phase orthodontic treatment. Interceptive treatment aims to normalize the dental arches to allow normal eruption of the permanent teeth. Once this first phase is completed, annual follow-ups are performed until the age of 11-12 to ensure that dental and skeletal growth is occurring properly.

If a second phase of treatment is required, a new assessment will be made and a tailored treatment plan will be proposed. It is important to note that the costs associated with interceptive treatment only cover this phase, and if a second phase of treatment is required, a new financial arrangement will be made. However, a two-phase treatment does not necessarily cost more than a full treatment at age 12, and often avoids the extraction of permanent teeth thanks to a more conservative approach.

Dr. David Benguira: Your specialist in St-Eustache

At Dr. David Benguira, we offer orthodontic treatments adapted to each age and specific situation. Located in St-Eustache, our clinic is ready to welcome you for a free consultation and guide you towards the best treatment option for you or your child. Contact us today to schedule your visit and discover how we can help you achieve a healthy and aligned smile.