Typically, when a parent brings a young child to the dentist, the last discussion theyre expecting to have is one centered on braces and orthodontic appliances. Yet, even at ages three and four, a talk about braces, sagittal expanders, and retainers can indeed be front and center when a child is diagnosed with a crossbite. The question then is what to do about it, how soon should intervention take place, and what the complications are that can arise if nothing is done at all. Lets get some answers.
Imagine for a moment, youre sitting in front of a nice soup bowl with a wide flat brim, and inside that bowl is hearty chowder youd like to keep warm until youre ready to devour it. So, you grab another bowl designed exactly like the first, and hover it upside-down over the bowl containing the soup. As you slowly lower it, you try to line up the brims so when they rest together they form a nice even seal. Unfortunately, given the soup is hot, you dont quite get the brims to line up perfectly, and the edge of the top bowl ends up resting just slightly to the left of the lip on the bottom bowl. The way these two bowls now rest unevenly atop one another is exactly what you would see in a person with a crossbite.
A crossbite can affect several teeth, or a single tooth, and can occur on either one side of the mouth or both. Simply put, if any one tooth, or several teeth, lay nearer the tongue or cheek instead of coming together evenly, youre likely dealing with a crossbite.
The dental community is split on when to initiate treatment for a crossbite, with some suggesting treatment should begin as soon as it is noticed (sometimes as early as age three), while others suggest parents should wait until a childs sixth year molars have arrived. Despite the difference of opinion as to when treatment should begin, dentists and orthodontist are in agreement that the condition cannot be left untreated. Doing so presents a host of complications for the child later in life including gum and tooth wear, uneven jaw development that can lead to temporomandibular joint disorder, and facial asymmetry something no parent or child wants.
Crossbite treatment generally involves adjusting the spread of a childs teeth with dental appliances so the bite pattern matches evenly on all sides. Depending on the type of crossbite a child has, this can be done with dental expanders which resemble orthodontic retainers, and include a screw that is tightened nightly so as to spread a childs bite to the prescribed width. Additionally, dental facemasks, braces and clear aligners may be used particularly when single teeth are out of alignment.
Crossbites are generally regarded as genetic in nature, so theyre not overly common. It is, however, a condition that needs to be treated before permanent damage to a childs facial and oral development occurs, so if you find yourself at the other end of a discussion about having your little one wear a dental expander, be sure you listen and get however many opinions regarding that advice as you require. Your child, and your wallet will thank you long into the future.
Reviews
Rating 4.1 out of 5 based on 201 reviews
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newest oldest highest lowestJocelynn Martinez
a year ago
I took my 1 year old for his first visit and I loved it. The front desk, the hygienist & doctor were so kind to my son and made him laugh and feel comfortable. I would definitely recommend them.
Dajhana Maco
a year ago
(Translated by Google) The worst pediatrician I have ever been to made me wait 1 hour and 45 minutes for nothing. Terrible service, waiting time too long (Original) El peor pediatra que he ido me hicieron esperar 1 hora y 45 minutos para nada. Pesimo servicio, el tiempo de espera demasiado largo
Yoly Nieves
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) very kind and attentive (Original) Muy amables y atentos
Cynthia
2 years ago
I love this place so did my kids. They were very kind and gentle with my kids. Fast service too. I would sooo recommend this place.
Maydelin Penate
2 years ago
Amazing dental center great services very consistent with reminders thanks
Martha Balmaseda
2 years ago
The doctor and the assistant were super nice professional and so sweet with my girls during the process I highly recommend to my friends and family love it !
jovanna Lorenzo
2 years ago
Great !!!
jeisy ortiz
2 years ago
The best professional and best team.
p love
2 years ago
By far the WORST pediatric dentist office ever! I never post reviews and I making sure to post how horrible this office has been. I took my 6 year old autistic boy to this office and it has been the worst experience of my life! First they NEVER PICK UP THE PHONE! Second when i finally get thru to someone they never follow-up and call me back. I needed some X-rays, I was at Nicklaus Childrens hospital & they never sent the X-rays! My son has an infection! My son would still be waiting if it were for this office! If your child needs a real dentist go straight to Nicklaus Childrens Hospital. This office is waste of time & a waste of money. What a shame some people don't take their jobs seriously! Especially working in healthcare with children! My son is nonverbal by the way! I would give this office a -10 if I could! Definitely reporting to the BBB or whoever I can report them to! I even ask to to speak to the office manager. Spoke to "Miriani" she was no help at all. Be picky when choosing a health provider whether it be a doctor or dentist! At the end of the day your insurance pays all or a portion! You deserve the best service, if not go elsewhere!
Cuca Molina
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) It was a very slow service, a patient with an appointment at 10:00 and they call an hour later (Original) Fue un servicio lentisimo, un paciente con una cita a las 10:00 y llaman una hora mas tarde
Fabienne Desilien Michel
2 years ago
Very nice Staff!!!
oneida roman
2 years ago
I have been bringing my kids here since 2016 or 2017. Never had issues with staff but, in the past, I did have issues with their phone answering service. It was most likely fixed and running smooth until this past year. My kids went for their routine in March. One of my kids needs an appt for a cavity filling. It is now June and just got a call this week after trying to reach someone and leaving messages since April. I was scheduled for tomorrow morning and just got a text that the appt has been cancelled. I truly don't want to deal with them anymore. I went through a similar situation almost a year ago. Staff may be great but something is going on with their scheduling department or phone answering service. I'm about to search elsewhere for my kids' dental needs. Too da loo!
Charkivia Lovett
2 years ago
Great community workers ensuring that are dental needs are met. Dentist was on point. Wait time was only ten minutes.
Irza Rojas
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) Very good pediatric dental clinic, my son is autistic and they have been very patient with him. All the staff are very friendly. (Original) Muy buena clinica pediatrica dental, mi hijo es autista y ellos han sido muy paciencia con el. Todo el personal es muy amable.
Grisel Caballero
2 years ago
I went with my 6 yr on the spectrum and his 3 yr old brother who are difficult to manage when they are together. The 6 yr old went thru his emotions and got upset alot while doing his cleaning. I felt sorry for the girl taking care of him. But she was so gentle with him, comforting him and allowing him to go thru his emotion and eventually she soothe him that he layed down and she was able to finish. I was very impressed. She was just as patience with the 3 yr old. I highly recommend this office. Reception staff greeted me with a smile.
Opee Cyline
2 years ago
Promptly seen! Staff was extremely patient with my screaming tot!
Kenya Enamorado
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) Very bad experience when I arrived to register my son they told me that the appointment had been rescheduled because the doctor who was on duty did not take my son's insurance and they did not call anything (Original) Muy mala experiencia cuando llegue a registrar a mi hijo me dicen que la cita se habia reprogramado porque la dra que estaba de turno no cojia el seguro de mi hijo y no llamaron no nada
Gabriela Gil leon La pesada
2 years ago
(Translated by Google) Good experience, excellent treatment, very professional and very careful with children. (Original) Buena experiencia, trato excelente, muy profesionales y muy cuidadosos con los ninos.
Jenny Morales
2 years ago
Horrible in keeping appointments and the staff is not friendly.
Nery
2 years ago
We have been going here for years! But the last visit which was yesterday! Was one of the worst. With covid going on and the office being small you would think the office manager would try to keep everyone safe! The office was so over crowded. And the tech hurt my baby. Obviously she's new. And even tho thier scheduling sucks the service is usually great. NOT this time. The tech was irritated. You could see it. And my baby was in pain when we got home. It might be time to change dentist!
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