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Early Orthodontic Treatment for Children

Supporting Healthy,
Dental Development

By starting treatment at the appropriate time, we can help guide jaw growth, monitor bite alignment, and potentially make any future orthodontic treatment more straightforward.

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Why Early Treatment Matters?

Early orthodontic treatment helps:
  • Correct bite and jaw alignment issues
  • Prevent overcrowding or spacing problems
  • Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding teeth
  • Make later orthodontic treatment more efficient and predictable
The ideal time for an initial assessment is often around age 7–9, even if full treatment doesn’t start until later.

Functional appliances

What they do:

Close gaps between upper and lower teeth and guide jaw growth.

How they work:

Functional appliances move the upper teeth backward and the lower teeth forward, sometimes also restricting upper jaw growth.

Duration:

Approximately 12 months

What to expect:

  • Initial tenderness and mild discomfort (soft foods and analgesics can help)
  • Temporary speech changes (usually normalizes in a week)
Cleaning:
Brush gently with soap and cool water. Avoid toothpaste.
Tips:
  • Remove only to eat and brush; store in the provided case
  • Avoid hard or sticky foods
  • Do not click the appliance with your tongue
  • Contact us immediately if it breaks

Removable plates

What they do:

Move teeth using wires, springs, and screws.

How to wear:

Full-time, only removing for brushing.

Insertion & Removal:

Place behind the teeth, push gently to click into place; remove from clasps at the back, never pull on wires.

Cleaning:

Rinse after meals and brush gently with soap each morning.

Expectations:

  • Mild soreness and difficulty eating or talking initially; resolves in a couple of days.

Herbst Appliance

Purpose:

Closes gaps between upper and lower teeth and widens the upper jaw.

How it works:

Piston arms apply gentle forces while an expansion screw widens the palate.

Duration:

Around 9 months.

Expectations:

  • Initial awareness and soreness (wax can help rubbing areas)
  • Speech interference for 1–2 weeks
Tips:
  • Avoid playing with the appliance
  • Brush gently around rubbing areas
  • No hard or sticky foods
  • Call immediately if it breaks

Quad Helix Expansion Appliance

Function:

Expands the upper arch by pushing teeth outward.

Duration:

6 - 9 months.

Expectations:

  • Food may get caught, temporary speech interference, tongue adjustment to appliance.
Tips:
  • Avoid hard or sticky foods
  • Cut hard foods into small pieces
  • Brush thoroughly around appliance
  • Contact us if it breaks

Headgear

Purpose:

Pulls back upper teeth when the upper jaw is too far forward.

Wear:

Gradually build up from 2 hours to 14 hours daily.

Expectations:

  • Initial discomfort, most adapt within a week.
Tips:
  • Remove for meals and brushing
  • Never wear during active play
  • Bring to all appointments
  • Handle with care

Separators

Purpose:

Create space for bands before braces are fitted.

Wear:

Placed before braces; removed at the next appointment.

Tips:
  • Brush carefully around separators
  • Avoid flossing in the area
  • No sticky or chewy foods
  • If loose or lost, contact us

Rapid Palatal Expansion (RPE) Appliance

Purpose:

Widen the upper arch and palate.

How it works:

Turning a midline screw expands the palate over 1–2 months, followed by 6 months of stabilisation.

Expectations:

  • Mild initial discomfort, gap forms between front teeth (closes after expansion), food may get caught. Speech may take 1–2 weeks to normalize.
Tips:
  • No hard or sticky foods
  • Cut hard foods into small pieces
  • Brush thoroughly around appliance and gums
  • Follow turning instructions carefully

General Tips for All Appliances

Avoid hard, sticky, or sugary foods
Cut food into small pieces
Brush carefully around gums and appliances
Store removable appliances safely in their case
Contact us immediately if any appliance breaks

Early Orthodontic Care for Children

An early orthodontic assessment can help identify developing concerns and guide your child’s dental growth. To arrange a consultation with Dr Jeff Lipshatz, our friendly reception team is happy to assist.
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Dr. Jeff Lipshatz

  • 87 Hawthorn Rd, Caulfield VIC 3161, Australia
  • Onsite parking available from Northcote Avenue
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