Orthodontic Appliances for Growing Children

Orthodontic appliances for kids are tools that help straighten teeth and jaws while they’re still growing. There are different types, like braces, retainers, expanders, and devices that help with how the jaws work.

Braces are probably the most common type. They’re made up of little brackets that are cemented onto the teeth, connected by wires that gently push the teeth into place over time. Retainers are another tool that helps keep teeth from moving back after braces.

Expanders help widen the upper jaw, which can happen if your kid has a crossbite or if their teeth are too crowded. And then there are functional appliances, which help guide the growth of the jaws to fix problems with how the top and bottom teeth fit together, like overbites or underbites.

Dr Kaberi Majumdar is an international speaker taking this session for IIDR and is based out of Kenya.