frequently asked questions

Can you give an example of a typical child that had these problems and the result obtained?

A 6 ½ year old boy in 2nd grade snored regularly, was a night mouth-breather, was hyperactive, had attention deficit, poor school performance, restless sleep, aggression toward peers, sleep walking and talking, poor ability to study and bed wetting. He was given a Healthy Start “C” series and wore it only at night for 2 years. He immediately stopped snoring and only breathed through the nose while sleeping. His mathematics achievement had a 950% improvement (from the 6th to 57th percentile) and had a 3.84 grade point average (out of 4.0) at the end of 4th grade. Most of his behavioral problems were non-existent at the end of the 2 year period.

What school subjects are most improved with this system?

Mathematics, science and spelling show significant improvement while reading and writing are usually not affected.

If children have a sleep disorder, what is the likelihood of developing ADD/ADHD?

Children with moderate (19.8% of children) and severe (13.8%) sleep problems are 12.1 times more likely to have ADD/ADHD.

Do these behavioral problems self-correct with age?

No they do not; they tend not to improve, and they can get even worse with increasing age.

Does an untreated child develop into an adult with severe breathing problems?

There is no research currently that can confirm this, but genetics do play a role.

Are there other health problems that can occur when these sleep problems are left untreated?

The most severe health risks have to do with cardiovascular problems, high blood pressure, hypertrophy of the right side of the heart, low blood flow to the lungs, depression, poor physical growth and speech problems.

Why does a perfect set of baby teeth become a crowded set of permanent teeth?

Perfectly aligned baby teeth do not provide enough room for the larger permanent teeth to erupt into the space left by the loss of the smaller teeth. Many times, the permanent tooth will have to rotate in order to fit.The HealthyStart system guides the eruption of the permanent tooth into a predetermined slot in the HealthyStart appliance, ensuring that it comes in straight but also allows the natural expansion of the arch. An additional benefit occurs by allowing the incoming teeth to grow in straight; the fiber bundles that anchor the permanent teeth into the mouth means that there will be minimal or no relapse of the permanent teeth – the permanent teeth have grown in straight.

Will an orthodontic condition in the baby teeth correct in the permanent dentition?

Research has shown that children do not typically grow out of these conditions. In fact, many often get worse, and the options for treatment become fewer as children get older.

What is a gummy smile? How can the gummy smile be corrected during the transition of the baby to permanent teeth?

Gummy smile (excessive gingival display) is a condition in which a high lip-line exposes an abnormal amount of gingival tissue. The maxillary permanent central incisor eruption can be restricted from occurring beyond a normal overbite relation with the HealthyStart Appliance. The HealthyStart Kids appliance can prevent an excessive permanent overbite by restricting the eruption of the upper front adult teeth.

Should I do this for my child?

Meet Mark- he has Sleep Apnea. If he could have prevented it, his life would be very different.

Can they bite through the appliance?

But the orthodontists say to wait; will it self-correct?