Crossbite. Crossbite is a condition where the upper teeth close inside the lower teeth. To treat this problem, a device called a palatal expander can be used, which gradually and painlessly widens the upper jaw; it is especially effective when the jaw itself hasn’t fully developed. If we wait too long, a more involved treatment might be required to correct the problem.

Crowding. Another condition that may benefit from early orthodontic intervention is severe crowding. This can be a sign that the jaws are too small to accommodate all of the permanent teeth. Often, simple intervention such as upper and lower jaw expansion can grow the bone to make room for the erupting teeth. This can potentially help reduce the need to take out teeth later, improve airway and sleep, and can help prevent recession. It can also make the second phase of orthodontic treatment more efficient and predictable.

Protruding teeth. Early intervention may also be helpful in resolving several other problems. Protruding teeth, especially in front, can be prone to chipping and fractures; they may also lead to problems with a child’s self-image. A severe underbite, caused by the lower jaw growing much larger than the upper jaw, can result in serious bite problems. Orthodontic appliances can be successfully used to correct these problems at this stage, when the child’s skeletal development is in full swing, thereby increasing the chances that surgery can be avoided.

Correcting Bad Habits. At one time or another, anyone may pick up a bad habit. But there are some situations where a child’s parafunctional (detrimental to health) habits can actually influence the development and function of his or her teeth, jaws and mouth. Some examples of these are persistent thumb or pacifier sucking, tongue thrusting and mouth breathing.

Mouth breathing. An abnormal breathing pattern in which the mouth remains open, passing air directly to the lungs, is related to alterations in the muscular function of the tongue and face. It may cause the upper and lower jaw to grow abnormally, which can lead to serious orthodontic and skeletal growth and development problems. Although mouth breathing may start from a physical difficulty, it can become a habitual action that is hard to break. Mouth breathing can also indicate underdeveloped nasal passages, large adenoids and tonsils, or a tongue tie. Further evaluation is often indicated when treating mouth breathing.