EARLY ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT
Correcting Issues Before They Become Problems
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic appointment by around seven years old. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent. Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away.
The American Association of Orthodontists recommends children have their first orthodontic appointment by around seven years old. At this age, issues such as uneven bite and overcrowding will become apparent. Starting the process early doesn’t mean a child will get braces right away.
Orthodontic problems such as crowding of the teeth, too much space between the teeth, jaw growth problems, protruding teeth, and bad bites can be inherited or caused by injury to the mouth, early or late loss of baby teeth, or thumb-sucking habits. Starting early just means the orthodontist will be able to find problems and decide the best time to start treatment. If your child is between the ages of seven and eight and shows signs of needing orthodontic care, or if you have been directed by your family dentist to visit the orthodontist, please contact our practice and schedule an appointment.
What Does Early Intervention Orthodontic Treatment Do
Even though your child’s teeth might appear to be straight, there could be problems you cannot see on the surface. Early visits detect proper jaw growth and development. If your child’s jaw is not growing fast enough, yet molars and permanent teeth are developing, it could result in overcrowding of the teeth. In addition, the bite of the jaw is checked to see if your child could develop an overbite or under-bite.
Should the orthodontist discover potential problems, then recommendations are able to be made based on the types of issues. Orthodontists will take into account the ages of your children, their specific treatment needs, and their psychological development when making their recommendations.
If there are no current issues or problems, then a follow-up visit is normally scheduled a year or two later. This follow-up visit is equally important, as it verifies the teeth and jaw are continuing to develop correctly. On the other hand, if there are already current concerns, early orthodontic treatment could be recommended.
What Orthodontists Consider During Evaluation
Just because your child is evaluated at age seven, it does not mean they will need early orthodontic treatment. After the orthodontist examines your child, she will ask herself the following questions. If the answer to any of the above questions is “yes,” early treatment may be indicated.
Signs Your Child May Need Early Intervention Orthodontic Treatment
There are some specific signs parents should watch for that indicate they need to bring their children in for an evaluation for early orthodontic treatment. These include:
Benefits Of Early Intervention Orthodontic Treatment
There are several benefits of early orthodontic treatment. Addressing problems sooner can prevent them from becoming worse, as well as prevent other issues from developing as they get older. Other benefits of early treatment include:
