Airway-Focused Orthodontics for for Children | Citrus Heights CA
Learn how jaw development, dental arches, mouth breathing and sleep-related concerns may be considered during children’s orthodontic evaluations at DeLurgio Orthodontics.
Airway-Focused Orthodontics for Children
Healthy Development Starts Early
Your child’s smile is constantly changing.
As children grow, the jaws develop, baby teeth are replaced by permanent teeth, the dental arches change shape and the facial structures mature.
At DeLurgio Orthodontics, Dr. Andrea DeLurgio looks at these changes as part of a child’s overall orthodontic development.
An early orthodontic evaluation is not necessarily a recommendation for immediate treatment. Often, it simply gives parents a better understanding of how their child’s teeth and jaws are developing.
What Does Airway Have to Do With Orthodontics?
Breathing, oral posture and facial growth are interconnected.
Some children develop a persistent pattern of mouth breathing when breathing comfortably through the nose is difficult. Possible contributing factors can include allergies, congestion, enlarged tonsils or adenoids and other anatomical or medical conditions.
Orthodontic development may also be relevant.
Dr. DeLurgio evaluates the dental arches, palate, jaw relationships, bite and other structures that may be relevant to a child’s oral function and development.
Signs Parents May Notice
Parents may want to discuss an orthodontic evaluation if their child:
- Frequently breathes through the mouth
- Sleeps with an open mouth
- Snores regularly
- Has restless sleep
- Has difficulty breathing through the nose
- Has significant dental crowding
- Has a narrow upper dental arch
- Has a crossbite
- Has difficulty keeping the lips comfortably together
- Has an unusual bite or jaw relationship
These signs do not diagnose an airway or sleep disorder.
If a child has persistent snoring, pauses in breathing, gasping or other concerning sleep symptoms, medical evaluation is important.
Growth Creates Opportunities
One of the advantages of evaluating children while they are growing is that orthodontists can observe development over time.
Depending on the child’s needs, treatment may involve:
- Monitoring growth
- Interceptive orthodontics
- Expansion when indicated
- Correcting crossbites
- Creating space for permanent teeth
- Addressing significant crowding
- Correcting bite or jaw discrepancies
There is no one-size-fits-all airway treatment.
Dr. DeLurgio develops treatment recommendations based on each child’s anatomy, growth and orthodontic needs.
A Team Approach
Breathing and sleep concerns can involve many different factors.
When appropriate, Dr. DeLurgio may recommend that a child also be evaluated by a pediatrician, ENT, sleep physician, allergist or another healthcare professional.
This collaborative approach helps ensure that medical concerns receive appropriate medical attention while orthodontic concerns receive appropriate orthodontic care.
Give Your Child’s Growth the Attention It Deserves
A child’s developing smile can tell us more than where the teeth are positioned.
It can provide important information about jaw development, dental arch width, bite relationships and facial growth.
If you have questions about your child’s development, schedule an evaluation with Dr. Andrea DeLurgio at DeLurgio Orthodontics.
