Early Treatment
In accordance with the American Association of Orthodontists, we recommend that children have their first orthodontic evaluation by age 7. Children can better achieve optimal orthodontic results with an early evaluation and diagnosis. Our orthodontists can spot subtle problems with jaw growth and emerging teeth while some baby teeth are still present. Your child’s teeth may appear to be straight, but there could be a problem only an orthodontist can detect.
An initial evaluation can give you invaluable information about your child’s orthodontic health. Early detection is the key to preventing more serious problems from developing and may make treatment at a later stage shorter or less complicated. The checkup may reveal that your child’s bite is fine, or uncover a potential problem that will need to be monitored until the time is right for treatment. In other cases, an orthodontist might find a problem that can benefit from early treatment.
Benefits of early treatment include:
◾The ability to influence jaw growth to increase facial symmetry
◾Reducing the need to extract permanent teeth to achieve optimal orthodontic results
◾Lowering the risk of trauma to protruded front teeth
◾Correction of harmful oral habits
◾Improvement to the width of the smile
◾The ability to guide permanent teeth into a more favorable position by creating room for erupting teeth
◾Improvement in the way the lips meet
◾Reducing the time needed for orthodontic treatment in the future
Why age 7 is the Optimal Orthodontic Screening Age
The first adult molars generally erupt by the age of 7 which establishes the back bite. During this time, an orthodontist can evaluate front-to-back and side-to-side tooth relationships. The presence of erupting teeth can indicate possible overbite, open bite, crowding or the appearance of excessive gums. Timely screening increases the chance for an incredible smile and can prevent future dental health concerns. Contact us today for your FREE CONSULTATION!
Children Older Than 7
If your child is past the age of 7, it is important to have an orthodontic checkup as soon as possible. By treating the problems in children who are still growing, we achieve results that may not be possible when the face and jawbones have fully developed.
Why Malocclusions need Treatment
The misalignment of teeth or incorrect relationship between the upper and lower arches is clinically called malocclusion. In addition to teeth that are crooked or crowded, malocclusions can result in a variety of problems. Therefore orthodontics can create a prettier smile and, often times, a healthier you.
Potential problems from untreated malocclusions include:
◾Difficulty in brushing or flossing hard to reach surface areas, which can lead to tooth decay and/or gum disease
◾Difficulty in tearing and chewing food
◾Protruding teeth are more susceptible to chipping
◾Cross-bites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear
◾Open-bites can lead to tongue-thrusting and speech impediments
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