Fact 8: Pediatric Considerations
Children are a bundle of ever-evolving bones, muscles, and tissues. Recognizing and addressing prognathism during these formative years can significantly influence the trajectory of the condition. Early intervention is crucial, not just for the ease of treatment but also for ensuring children grow without the associated health or psychological challenges of pronounced jaw misalignment.
Pediatric orthodontics has made strides in devising child-friendly treatments. Devices designed for younger jaws, or interventions that harness the natural growth spurts, can effectively redirect jaw development.
Furthermore, children, with their pliable minds, can sometimes internalize perceptions about their appearance. Thus, it’s essential for caregivers, educators, and peers to foster a positive environment, emphasizing the beauty in diversity and ensuring that a child with prognathism doesn’t feel ‘othered’.
Equally important is to educate children about their condition, in terms they can understand. Making them active participants in their treatment journey, celebrating milestones, and ensuring they have safe spaces to express their feelings can make the journey smoother. (8)
