Problems with the alignment of a child’s teeth can begin at a very young age. Various factors that influence the jaw’s growth and development can result in the permanent teeth erupting into the wrong positions.

Not only can this issue interfere with the aesthetics of your child’s smile, it can also disrupt a child’s breathing during sleep.

Fortunately, a system of early orthodontic intervention known as HealthyStart can address both of these problems by using specially designed appliance to manipulate the jaw’s development and encourage the proper eruption of permanent teeth.

If you have noticed signs that your child may benefit from early orthodontic intervention, schedule an evaluation at our office. We can determine if HealthyStart might address issues affecting the alignment of your child’s teeth and jaws.

How HealthyStart Works

HealthyStart uses comfortable, removable appliances to guide the permanent teeth to erupt in their proper locations. The appliances encourage expansion of the arches to avoid crowding along with guiding the growth and alignment of the lower jaw.

HealthyStart treatment has multiple phases, described below:

Habit Correction

The habit correct works to eliminate potentially harmful oral habits that your child may have developed. The appliance, which is designed similarly to a pacifier, is worn while your child sleeps.

Second Phase

This appliance, also worn nightly during sleep, works to make sure that the jaws can accommodate the permanent teeth while guiding those teeth to erupt into the correct positions.

Final Phase

This phase begins when at least four of your child’s permanent teeth have erupted. The appliance is designed to accommodate permanent teeth as it continues to

Habit correction can last anywhere from 1-5 months, while the second phase appliance is typically worn between 2-6 months. Dr. Nathanson can give you a more precise estimate of a treatment timeline after evaluating your child’s case.

In order to get the maximum benefit from HealthyStart, patient adherence is essential. Make sure that your child wears the appliances exactly as directed by Dr. Nathanson in order to achieve the desired treatment outcomes.

What is sleep-disordered breathing?

Constricted nasal passages and airways can inhibit a child’s breathing during sleep, leading to mouth breathing. This phenomenon, known as sleep-disordered breathing, contributes to developmental problems of the mouth and jaw that can cause crowding or other misalignments of the teeth.

Poor quality sleep affects numerous aspects of your child’s life. As such, the following issues may indicate that a child has sleep-disordered breathing:

  • Loud snoring
  • Gasping and snorting sounds during sleep
  • Daytime drowsiness
  • Dark circles under the eyes
  • Bedwetting
  • Irritability
  • Attention disorders
  • Allergies
  • Asthma
  • Teeth grinding
  • Nightmares
  • Lack of expected growth and development

In addition to promoting proper development of the smile, HealthyStart addresses sleep disordered breathing to eliminate these symptoms and improve your child’s quality of life.

Why should I consider early interceptive orthodontic treatment for my child?

Early interceptive orthodontic treatment can reduce the amount of time a child may need to spend wearing braces at an older age. It may even eliminate the need for later orthodontic treatment entirely. It can also prevent the need for future oral surgery to correct malocclusions.

Having a properly aligned smile from a young age gives your child so many benefits, including:

  • Healthy self-esteem and self-confidence
  • Proper chewing, ensuring good nutrition
  • Development of proper speech patterns
  • Improved overall health and wellness

FAQs about HealthyStart

What is HealthyStart?

HealthyStart is an innovative early interceptive orthodontic treatment system. That means that HealthyStart uses custom-designed appliances to manipulate the development of the jaws and eruption of the permanent teeth in order to ensure a properly aligned, beautiful smile. The appliances used in this multi-phase system are typically worn while the child is asleep, so they won’t interfere with your child’s routine.

What are the benefits of the HealthyStart system?

The HealthyStart system has multiple benefits for patients. It can give them a properly aligned smile from a young age, potentially allowing them to avoid orthodontic treatment or oral surgery in adolescence or adulthood. Furthermore, having a straight smile from a young age positive affects a child’s nutrition, speech patterns and self-confidence. HealthyStart also addresses sleep-disordered breathing and can improve the host of physiological and behavioral symptoms that can result from that condition.

If your child a good candidate for HealthyStart?

Parents who are interested in exploring the benefits of HealthyStart for their children should schedule an evaluation with Dr. Nathanson. Generally speaking, a child should receive early interceptive orthodontic treatment as soon as there are signs of a problem and before a significant number of the permanent teeth erupt. HealthyStart is not as effective when most or nearly all of the child’s permanent teeth are in place.

How much does HealthyStart cost?

There is no single dollar amount that accurately captures the cost of HealthyStart treatment. Different characteristics of different cases can influence the cost, which may also include associated services, such as imaging. Some dental insurance providers may include benefits covering this treatment. If yours is one of them, our office staff will help you determine your coverage and file any claims required for reimbursement by your insurance provider.