Shane has lots to Smile about!

Shane had the misfortune to fall on a wooden block when he was 18 months old and push his baby teeth on the bottom forward. Unfortunately, as his permanent lower incisors erupted, they followed suit.

His pediatric dentist, Dr. Jennifer Zoll, referred him to Sylvania & Lambertville Orthodontics when he was ten because his two front teeth were trapped behind his lower teeth. This Class III bite can cause extensive problems with not just the teeth, but also the jaw. Early treatment (Phase I) is necessary in most cases to adjust the front teeth so the upper teeth fit over the lower. Sometimes a palate expander is needed to create more upper jaw width or braces on a few of the upper teeth to make this adjustment. In Shane’s case, however, one of the simplest (and cheapest!) methods was used. He was given tongue depressors to use to push the top teeth forward. Shane even used his thumb when he was in the car to push on those teeth when he forgot to bring a tongue depressor.

We followed his progress carefully and Shane was able to achieve his goal. Once he accomplished this, it was just a matter of watching and waiting until his permanent teeth were in. His evaluation a year later showed a need for a palate expander along with a face mask to keep pulling the upper jaw forward. Shane was as complaint with orthodontic treatment as he was with tongue depressors and his mother is very pleased with his beautiful smile.