ARCHES AND AIRWAYS: THE PEDIATRIC IMPERATIVEArch Development

Early intervention isn’t just about straight teeth. It’s about shaping healthier arches, ensuring clear airways, and supporting healthy development…from childhood through adulthood. It’s also critical that it be addressed at the very beginning of dental/orthopedic care as part of a carefully created expansion strategy.

THINKING BEYOND THE BITE

When treating young patients with crowding crossbites or overjets, you must not overlook the airway. Maxillary expansion can improve tongue posture, reduce mouth breathing and support proper craniofacial development. A broader arch today can mean better sleep, improved behavior and optimized health tomorrow.

TREAT THE TEETH, SUPPORT THE SYSTEM

Children with crowded anteriors or constricted arches benefit most from early arch development and lateral expansion appliances help unlock growth, improve airway space and create functional alignment – often reducing the need for extractions or other serious measures later.

BOTTOM LINE:  interceptive airway therapy must be tailored and carefully curated in early childhood to meet and support the requirements -- both immediate and ongoing – of your younger patients.

At SML, we offer fully customizable solutions for interceptive airway therapy, including expansion appliances that address crowding, overjet, and underdeveloped pre-maxillas.

Orthopedic or orthodontic, fixed or removable -- we have the labs, the appliances, the veteran experience and clinical experts to help dental professionals choose and manage the expansion strategies that meet the needs of every pediatric patient…start to finish.

Contact us or visit smlglobal.com/arch-development