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Children
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Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children: A Focus on Behavior Intervention...
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Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children: A Focus on Behavior Intervention and Management

A special issue of Children (ISSN 2227-9067). This special issue belongs to the section "Pediatric Dentistry & Oral Medicine".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 5 January 2026 | Viewed by 2581

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Stefania Dinu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Interests: early orthodontic treatment; dentofacial orthopedics; myofunctional therapy; genetics
Dr. Ana Vukovic

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
1. Department of Pediatric and Preventive Dentistry, School of Dental Medicine, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia
2. Department of Restorative, Preventive and Pediatric Dentistry, University of Bern, 3012 Bern, Switzerland
Interests: pediatric dentistry; oral disease prevention; community dental health; public dental health; epidemiology; special care dentistry
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

The success of early orthodontic treatment in children depends not only on clinical techniques but also on managing their behavior effectively. Young patients often feel anxious or uncooperative in a dental setting, which can impact treatment outcomes and long-term oral health. By integrating behavior intervention strategies—such as positive reinforcement, tell-show-do techniques and parental involvement—clinicians can create a comfortable environment that encourages compliance and trust. Early orthodontic treatment, including functional appliances and habit-breaking devices, plays a crucial role in guiding proper jaw development and preventing more complex malocclusions. Understanding the interplay between behavioral management and orthodontic intervention is essential for ensuring a smooth treatment journey and optimal results in pediatric patients. We welcome original articles, reviews and observational studies for this Special Issue. We look forward to your valuable submissions to enhance our knowledge in this field.

Dr. Stefania Dinu
Dr. Ana Vukovic
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Children is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • early orthodontic treatment
  • malocclusions
  • behavior intervention strategies
  • positive reinforcement
  • functional appliances
  • pediatric patients

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Published Papers (3 papers)

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18 pages, 1267 KB  
Systematic Review
Timing of Orthodontic Intervention for Pediatric Class II Malocclusion: A Systematic Review on Early vs. Late Treatment Outcomes
by Stefania Dinu, Andreea Igna, Emanuela Lidia Petrescu, Emilia Brandusa Braila, Dorin Cristian Dinu, Razvan Mihai Horhat, Cristina Mihai, Iuliana-Anamaria Traila, Diana Florina Nica and Malina Popa
Children 2025, 12(11), 1533; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12111533 - 13 Nov 2025
Viewed by 739
Abstract
Background/Objectives: The optimal timing for orthodontic treatment in pediatric patients with malocclusion, particularly Class II discrepancies, remains a topic of ongoing clinical debate. Early treatment during the mixed dentition stage harnesses craniofacial growth potential, whereas later intervention may capitalize on pubertal growth for [...] Read more.
Background/Objectives: The optimal timing for orthodontic treatment in pediatric patients with malocclusion, particularly Class II discrepancies, remains a topic of ongoing clinical debate. Early treatment during the mixed dentition stage harnesses craniofacial growth potential, whereas later intervention may capitalize on pubertal growth for greater skeletal correction, especially for skeletal and airway improvements. This systematic review aimed to compare the outcomes of early versus late orthodontic treatment to assess their relative effectiveness. Methods: A systematic review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, including randomized controlled trials and observational studies published between 2015 and 2025. Eleven studies comparing early and late treatment were analyzed, and the risk of bias was evaluated using standardized assessment tools. Results: Of the eleven studies, eight reported statistically significant improvements favoring early orthodontic intervention. Early treatment was associated with greater enhancement of maxillary and mandibular arch development, improved jaw relationships, and expanded airway dimensions. Studies utilizing headgear or other growth-modifying appliances also showed more favorable eruption patterns and alignment, underscoring the clinical relevance of early-phase management. Conclusions: Early orthodontic treatment can provide meaningful benefits in guiding skeletal growth, improving dental arch form, and enhancing treatment efficiency. These benefits were most consistently supported in skeletal and airway outcome domains. While late treatment may be suitable for some cases, personalized planning remains essential. Further large-scale, standardized longitudinal studies are needed to refine treatment-timing protocols in pediatric orthodontics. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children: A Focus on Behavior Intervention and Management)
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9 pages, 1521 KB  
Case Report
Bilateral Non-Syndromic Supplemental Mandibular Incisors: Report on a Rare Clinical Case
by Aldo Giancotti, Ilenia Cortese and Martina Carillo
Children 2025, 12(10), 1295; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12101295 - 25 Sep 2025
Viewed by 443
Abstract
Background: Supplemental teeth are a rare subtype of supernumerary elements that closely resemble the morphology of normal dentition. Their occurrence in the mandibular anterior region is extremely uncommon. Aim: To describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and phased orthodontic management of a rare case [...] Read more.
Background: Supplemental teeth are a rare subtype of supernumerary elements that closely resemble the morphology of normal dentition. Their occurrence in the mandibular anterior region is extremely uncommon. Aim: To describe the clinical features, diagnosis, and phased orthodontic management of a rare case involving bilateral supplemental mandibular incisors in a pediatric patient. Case report: A 7-year-old female patient presented with early mixed dentition and significant lower anterior crowding due to the presence of two fully erupted supplemental mandibular incisors. Treatment phase I included extraction of the malpositioned supplemental teeth and rapid maxillary expansion to transversally coordinate the arches. By the end of phase I, spontaneous alignment of the remaining lower incisors was observed. Discussion: The presence of two supplemental mandibular incisors is extremely rare in Caucasian populations. Supernumerary teeth can cause crowding, impaction, or delayed eruption of adjacent permanent teeth. Timely extraction can prevent such complications and often allows spontaneous alignment. Conclusions: The prompt removal of supplemental mandibular incisors, when they have just erupted, might lead to the alignment of the other incisors, considering that they spontaneously occupy the extractive spaces often without the aid of fixed appliances first line. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children: A Focus on Behavior Intervention and Management)
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10 pages, 1366 KB  
Case Report
Using Functional Education Appliance on One Patient with Class III Malocclusion in Mixed Dentition: A Case Report
by Chun-Yuan Chiu, Shang-Wen Chiu and Chung-Hsing Li
Children 2025, 12(9), 1219; https://doi.org/10.3390/children12091219 - 11 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1160
Abstract
Background/objective: Class III malocclusion is a relatively common clinical problem among Asian patients, which is caused by skeletal discrepancies and involves complex factors. In growing patients, early intervention with myofunctional appliances can help correct jaw relationships more effectively. This case report presents the [...] Read more.
Background/objective: Class III malocclusion is a relatively common clinical problem among Asian patients, which is caused by skeletal discrepancies and involves complex factors. In growing patients, early intervention with myofunctional appliances can help correct jaw relationships more effectively. This case report presents the use of prefabricated myofunctional appliances (EF and MRC) to address Class III malocclusion through growth modification. Case description: A 9-year-old girl was diagnosed with skeletal Class III and a complete anterior crossbite. She underwent treatment with the prefabricated myofunctional appliances, worn during sleep and an additional two hours during the day for 51 months. The outcomes resulted from a combination of skeletal and dental changes, including a decrease in skeletal discrepancy (ANB: −5° to −2°), upper incisor proclination (U1 to SN: 112.5° to 123°), uprighting of the lower incisor (L1 to MP: 93.5° to 90°), and an increase in cranial flexure angle (123° to 125°) with a vertical mandibular growth pattern. The treatment improved facial profile, reduced skeletal discrepancy, corrected the anterior crossbite, and enhanced interdigitation. Conclusions: Prefabricated myofunctional appliances are effective options for managing skeletal Class III malocclusion in pediatric patients with vertical mandibular growth patterns, producing favorable skeletal and dentoalveolar changes. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Early Orthodontic Treatment in Children: A Focus on Behavior Intervention and Management)
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