For Children

What is the best time to begin orthodontics?

While braces can improve smiles at any age, there is usually an opportune age to begin treatment, enabling us to achieve maximum improvement with a minimum amount of time and expense. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that a child visit the orthodontist by the age of 7. Although interceptive orthodontic treatment is not always indicated, careful observation can establish the best timing for orthodontic care.

Why is age seven an ideal time for screening?

• The back bite is established when the first molars erupt, usually by age 7. The orthodontist can evaluate the front-to-back and side-to-side dental relationships at this time.
• The presence of the erupting incisors indicates possible crowding, overbite, openbite, gummy smiles, and harmful habit patterns.
• Timely screening helps parents and patients get to know our orthodontists and the Team. Even if immediate treatment is not indicated, we can provide detailed information on what may be needed in the future and the appropriate timing.

What are the benefits of early screening?

Early screening not only provides timely detection of orthodontic problems, it presents increased opportunities to provide more effective orthodontic treatment. Timely intervention can guide jaw growth and development and prevent more serious problems from occurring. When interceptive treatment is not indicated, our orthodontists will carefully monitor jaw growth and tooth development periodically and advise you of the best time to initiate orthodontic treatment. If early intervention treatment is indicated, this may not prevent the need for full orthodontic treatment in the future, once all the permanent teeth have erupted.

A child’s self-esteem almost always increases when their smile is improved.

This also has an impact on those around the child – parents, siblings, teachers and other children. Successful treatment can lead to greater success in all areas of the child’s life. The value of a beautiful, healthy smile should not be underestimated.

What are the benefits of early treatment?

1. REDUCE risk of trauma to protruding teeth
2. REGULATE the width of the upper and lower jaws
3. ELIMINATE harmful habits (finger-sucking, tongue thrusting, etc)
4. ENHANCE proper speech development
5. REDUCE the need for permanent tooth extraction
6. CREATE more room for crowded out erupting teeth
7. CREATE facial balance by influencing jaw growth
8. SIMPLIFY the treatment time later with full braces
9. IMPROVE a child's self-esteem during the formative years

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