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Accepting New Patients
Call Now 780-758-6684
Edmonton Dental Appliances for Kids: Tips from The Tooth Doctor
When it comes to your child’s oral health, early intervention can make all the difference, especially with the use of custom-fitted dental appliances. At The Tooth Doctor, we understand the importance of guiding teeth and jaw development in the growing years to set the foundation for a healthy smile. This is where dental appliances in Edmonton come into play—offering specialized solutions to support proper alignment, bite correction, and overall dental health.
From holding space for permanent teeth to protecting against injury, these appliances work to prevent or correct common dental issues that may arise. Here, we’ll explore some essential dental appliances for children, including space maintainers, palatal expanders, mouthguards, and thumb-sucking deterrents, all designed to protect your smile.
Space Maintainers: Oral Appliances that Hold Space for Healthy Dental Development
Losing baby teeth is a natural part of growing up. But when a baby tooth is lost too early, it can lead to problems as the surrounding teeth start to shift, potentially blocking the spot for the incoming permanent tooth. Space maintainers are dental appliances in Edmonton designed to prevent this by holding the space open until the permanent tooth is ready to come in.
Types of Space Maintainers from Edmonton Dentist
- Fixed Maintainers – These are cemented onto a nearby tooth and are commonly used when only a single tooth is missing.
- Removable Maintainers are custom-fitted dental appliances that can help maintain the space for teeth development. – Often recommended for older children who can responsibly care for them, removable maintainers look similar to retainers.
With space maintainers, The Tooth Doctor helps prevent more costly alignment issues, sparing children from future orthodontic treatments and ensuring their teeth have the room they need to grow in the right place.
Palatal Expanders: Creating Room for Growing Smiles
Crowded teeth and improper bites can be uncomfortable and impact a child’s smile and overall health, making it essential to visit a dental clinic. Palatal expanders are a type of dental device used to widen the upper jaw, creating space and improving alignment, which can also help with the positioning of the lower jaw and tongue. These devices are particularly helpful during a child’s growth years when the jaw structure is still developing, as dentists offer custom-fitted dental appliances to help support this process.
When Is a Palatal Expander Needed?
Your child may need a palatal expander if they have alignment issues, which can be addressed with custom-fitted dental appliances to help facilitate proper growth.
- A narrow upper jaw can impact the airway and overall oral health.
- Crowded teeth that don’t have enough space to emerge properly can affect the airway.
- A crossbite or other bite issues
The process is gradual, with adjustments made to the appliance over time. Using palatal expanders early can make a significant difference, helping children achieve a healthier, more comfortable bite as they grow.
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The Tooth Doctor Capilano
9939-75 Street NW
The Tooth Doctor Ellerslie
105A, 1006-103A Street SW
The Tooth Doctor Tofield
5111-50 Street in Tofield Alberta
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Emergency Dental Care
Our office has extended weekend and evening hours. Our staff provides our patients with the prompt treatment they need, when they need it.
Other Dental Services We Offer
Teeth Cleanings for Oral Health, Dental Exams, X-Rays, Fluoride Treatments, Dental Sealants
CHILD FRIENDLY PEDIATRIC DENTISTRY
Consult Exams, Fluoride Treatments, Dental Evaluation, Habit Counseling
Dental Surgery, Implants, Tooth Extractions, Bone Grafts, Gum Surgery, Endodontic Treatments, Veneers, Dental Bonding, Dental Crowns, Orthodontics
DENTAL SEDATION & GENERAL ANESTHESIA
We help patients relax during dental procedures, easing anxiety and making the experience more comfortable.
Simple Tooth Extractions, Surgical, Wisdom Teeth, Impacted Teeth, Multiple Extractions
Invisalign, Custom Aligners, Progress Checks, Additional Aligners, Retainers, Invisalign Express, Virtual Care
Teeth Whitening with Professional Bleaching In-Clinic and At Home Kits
Mouthguards: Protecting Young Teeth During Sports and Sleep
Whether your child is an active sports player or grinds their teeth while sleeping, mouthguards provide essential protection for growing teeth. At The Tooth Doctor, we offer custom-fitted mouthguards, tailored for the perfect fit, to provide the highest level of safety.
Sports Mouthguards
Sports like hockey, basketball, and soccer are fun, but they also pose a risk of dental injuries, making mouth guards essential for protecting your oral health. A custom sports mouthguard can protect your child’s teeth and gums, ensuring they stay safe while staying active.
Nightguards for Bruxism
If your child grinds or clenches their teeth at night—a condition known as bruxism—a nightguard can protect against tooth damage and provide custom-fitted oral appliances for better protection. Custom-fitted nightguards are made to fit snugly and comfortably, reducing wear on the teeth and providing custom-fitted oral devices to help children get a better night’s sleep.
Investing in custom dental appliances in Edmonton like mouthguards helps safeguard your child’s smile, giving you peace of mind whether they’re on the field or fast asleep, as these custom-fitted oral appliances can protect your teeth from damage.
Thumb Sucking Dental Appliances: Breaking Habits for Better Oral Health
Thumb sucking is a common comfort habit for young children, but if it continues beyond the toddler years, it can start to impact the development of their teeth and jaws. The Tooth Doctor offers specialized devices designed to gently discourage thumb sucking, which helps kids transition naturally without affecting their smile and protects their oral health and overall structures.
Types of Thumb Sucking Appliances
These devices are custom-made and placed in the mouth to make thumb sucking less satisfying, guiding children toward healthier habits.
- Fixed Palatal Crib A custom device attached to the upper molars with a small grid or “crib” that blocks the thumb from comfortably resting against the roof of the mouth serves as a barrier between your teeth and the habit.
- Rake Appliance – Similar to the palatal crib, the rake has small prongs or bumps that make thumb sucking uncomfortable, encouraging children to stop the habit.
- Bluegrass Appliance to help protect against dental issues related to sleep apnea. – A child-friendly device with a small, smooth roller in the center that provides a distraction, allowing kids to play with it using their tongue instead of sucking their thumb.
- Thumb Guard or Finger Guard to help protect oral structures from prolonged thumb sucking. – A removable plastic or fabric sleeve placed over the thumb or finger to discourage the habit. These can often be worn during specific times, such as bedtime, to help preserve and protect oral structures.
Why Break the Habit Early? Prolonged thumb sucking can lead to misaligned teeth and other dental complications, making it essential to address the habit before it affects long-term oral health and the airway.
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New Patients are Always Welcome at The Tooth Doctor in Edmonton
The right dental treatment and appliances can make a huge difference in your child’s smile, preventing issues before they start and providing custom-fitted oral appliances to align teeth and jaws for a healthier future. If you’re interested in learning more about dental appliances in Edmonton or exploring options for your child, the expert team at The Tooth Doctor, who are accepting new patients, is here to help.
Reach out to The Tooth Doctor today to schedule a consultation if you are looking for a dentist in Edmonton, and let us guide you in finding the perfect solutions for your child’s dental needs.