The importance of early bite diagnosis in children
As a doctor, I strongly recommend consulting an orthodontist regarding your six-year-old child, even if there appear to be no dental issues at first glance. Pediatric bite pathologies can be deceptive: parents see a perfectly straight smile, while the orthodontist notices a lack of space for the eruption of large permanent teeth, which will soon begin to push out the smaller primary teeth.
Most often, parents do not realize that there should be sufficiently wide gaps (such as spaces and diastemas) between the primary teeth by the time they begin to be replaced.
The non-removable HAAS device is an ideal choice for correcting the underdeveloped upper jaw of children. This device effectively solves problems that do not require immediate and radical intervention, providing space for the growth of permanent teeth.
Creating space for teeth
In cases where jaw development anomalies are not too pronounced, the use of the HAAS appliance helps create enough space for the natural eruption of permanent teeth. This allows for the avoidance of more complex and costly orthodontic procedures in the future.
Advantages of the fixed HAAS appliance
The main advantage is that the appliance is fixed. This makes its use comfortable for the child and promotes quicker adaptation. Additionally, the child cannot accidentally break it by stepping on it. It won’t be discarded by waiters in restaurants along with the napkin it was wrapped in during meals. You can be sure that the appliance is doing its job 24 hours a day, and your child won’t hide it under their pillow due to discomfort.
The HAAS appliance is discreet in the mouth. Unlike other dental devices, the HAAS appliance is completely unnoticeable while talking or smiling. After a day or two of adaptation, the child adjusts and their diction returns to normal. No one will tease your child at school about having “ugly braces” in their mouth.
The appliance is hygienic and hypoallergenic. Each appliance is custom-made to perfectly fit the anatomical features of the specific patient. Essentially, it gently pushes the molars forward and outward, making contact with them. It contains a screw that evenly expands the jaw by 10-15 millimeters. The main fixation occurs with light-cured material and metal rings placed on two molars (usually the second primary molars).
Wearing the appliance and the treatment itself are completely painless. After a few days following its placement, the child may even forget about it.
Home activation of the expanding screw by parents. This reduces treatment time and the number of dental visits.
Minimizing relapses and accelerating orthodontic correction
I would like to emphasize that in complex cases, using this device between ages 6-9 can significantly reduce the time required for subsequent adjustments with braces (if needed) from one and a half years to just 5-6 months. This is especially important during adolescence when appearance greatly impacts self-esteem. Moreover, it lowers the risk of recurrence of problems, which is particularly valuable considering the effort, time, and resources invested.
Habit correction: the impact of the HAAS appliance
An unexpected bonus is its effect on habits. The HAAS appliance helps eliminate some harmful habits that lead to uneven facial muscle development and bite pathologies, such as thumb sucking and biting on foreign objects. This becomes inconvenient to do. Furthermore, since everything in our body is interconnected, expanding the upper jaw positively influences the proportional development of the lower jaw. Within a month and a half, the lower jaw “adjusts” to the changes made by the HAAS appliance.
Tips for parents during their child’s adaptation period to the HAAS appliance
In cases of increased salivation or chewing difficulties, switch your child to a diet of pureed soups, smoothies, cereals, and cocktails. If there are irritations on the mucosa where the appliance is in contact, keratoplasty and thorough hygiene will help.
Interactive methods to ease adaptation
Your task is to make the start of treatment as easy as possible; you can turn it into a game:
- To cheerfully overcome speech difficulties, you can organize a tongue twister game. An adult who does not wear an appliance gets penalized for mistakes and must speak with something in their mouth, like gummy candies! The winner receives a prize—a trip to the movies or a portion of ice cream.
- If your HAAS appliance involves the use of small plastic palatal supports, the little patient can choose their color, additional sparkles, and designs.
- Simulate a “dentist appointment.” To help the child get used to the idea of visiting the dentist, you can play doctor with their stuffed animals or brush the teeth of a toy character using real toothpaste and a toothbrush. This will help prepare your little one for the actual visit to the doctor.
The importance of the HAAS appliance for orthodontic treatment
The HAAS appliance, designed with the anatomical features of a growing body in mind, allows for quicker and more effective results, which is especially important during transitional ages. It makes the treatment process less painful and stressful, enabling children and their parents to focus on other aspects of life without being distracted by lengthy and often unpleasant procedures.
In conclusion, the HAAS appliance is an effective solution for numerous orthodontic problems faced by children and adolescents. Using the HAAS appliance promotes the restoration of proper jaw alignment and evenly distributes muscle tension, ensuring a healthy and attractive smile for many years to come.
