Dr Kamal Ahmed is not only a specialist orthodontist, he is also a father of three children: two boys and one girl. They bring joy, energy, and the occasional mayhem into his life. This personal experience shapes the way he approaches children’s orthodontic care at South Coast Orthodontics.
When deciding on treatment for a child, Dr Kamal asks himself one simple question:
“If my child had the same symptoms and problems, what would I do?”
The problems and solutions vary from child to child. However, what happens to your child matters just as much as what would happen to his own. He will only ever recommend procedures he would confidently choose for his own family.
Parents across Wollongong, Corrimal and the wider Illawarra region trust this philosophy, because early orthodontic treatment should always be centred on the child’s best long-term interests.
Children may present with:
As a specialist orthodontist, Dr Kamal understands the significant benefits of early orthodontic treatment in reducing complex orthodontic complications later in teenage and adult years.
However, every child must be independently assessed. Early treatment is never automatic, it is carefully considered, growth-based, and tailored to the individual.
Most parents bring their children to the dentist for regular check-ups, pain, or emergencies. However, orthodontic assessment is different.
The Australian Society of Orthodontists and the Australian Dental Association recommend that children attend their first orthodontic appointment at around 8 years of age.
This does not mean braces are always required at this age. In many cases, monitoring is all that is needed.
But for some children, early intervention can prevent significant future problems.
Many traumatic and complicated orthodontic conditions seen in teenagers and adults could have been avoided if treated during childhood.
For example:
When adult teeth fail to erupt naturally, they may require surgical exposure or removal in adolescence. This often leads to greater discomfort, longer treatment times, and higher financial costs.
Early orthodontic treatment helps guide teeth into the correct position while the jaw is still developing.
Some children have narrow or underdeveloped jaws. This space limitation can cause teeth to jam and overcrowd, but it may also reduce airway space.
Restricted airway development may contribute to:
Early treatment can create room not only for adult teeth to develop properly, but also for improved airflow and healthier breathing patterns.
A cross-bite occurs when upper teeth do not sit correctly over lower teeth. In some cases, entire groups of lower teeth may sit in front of the upper teeth.
Beyond cosmetic concerns, cross-bites and under-bites can contribute to:
Early correction allows jaw growth to be guided gently and effectively.
A narrow upper jaw reduces the space available for teeth to erupt correctly. This can result in:
To correct narrow jaws, Dr Kamal may recommend an expander device. This appliance gradually and gently widens the upper jaw to its correct dimensions.
This creates space, improves alignment, and prepares the jaw for healthy teenage and adult development.
Ideal jaw alignment allows the upper and lower jaws to meet in a balanced bite.
If misaligned, children may experience:
Treatment may involve plates or braces that apply gentle pressure to guide proper jaw positioning during growth.
Crowding occurs when there is insufficient space in the jaws for all teeth to align properly.
Teeth may become:
This often results from a mismatch between tooth size and jaw size.
Early intervention can prevent severe crowding and reduce the need for extractions later.
Baby teeth play a critical role in guiding the eruption of permanent teeth.
If a baby tooth is lost too early due to decay or injury, neighbouring teeth may drift into the empty space. This blocks the correct eruption pathway for the permanent tooth.
Without intervention, the result can be:
Space maintainers preserve the gap until the permanent tooth is ready to erupt.
Protruding upper teeth, often referred to as “buck teeth” can cause:
They may result from genetics or habits such as thumb-sucking, nail biting, lip biting, or prolonged pacifier use.
Early correction can protect teeth from injury and improve facial balance.
Canines are essential for proper bite function and aesthetics. They usually erupt around age 13.
If blocked or misdirected, they may become impacted.
This may occur due to:
Early monitoring ensures sufficient space is created so canines erupt naturally, reducing the need for surgical intervention.
Thumb and finger sucking is normal until around age four.
However, prolonged habits can affect:
Early orthodontic guidance can minimise long-term damage and support healthy development.
Many severe teenage orthodontic cases begin with issues that were visible at age 8.
Early treatment:
At South Coast Orthodontics, the goal is always optimal solutions today, preventing complicated problems and emergencies in the future.
If your child is around 7–9 years old, an early orthodontic assessment can provide clarity and peace of mind.
Dr Kamal combines specialist training with the perspective of a parent. That combination guides every recommendation.
Contact South Coast Orthodontics in Corrimal, serving families throughout Wollongong and the Illawarra region, to schedule your child’s consultation.
South Coast Orthodontics
Address.
57 Railway Street, Corrimal NSW 2518
Clinic Hours.
8:00am – 5:30pm | Monday – Wednesday
9:00am – 5:00pm | Thursday – Friday
Tel. (02) 4216 8600
Email. info@southcoastortho.com.au
