Early Orthodontic Treatment
Orthodontic treatment can be successful at any age, however, there are many added benefits for having orthodontic treatment early. Early orthodontic treatment can help reduce the chances of needing more complicated surgical dental treatment later.
It is recommended by the American Association of Orthodontists (AAO) that children have an orthodontic evaluation no later than 7 years old.
At age 7, your child’s first permanent molars and incisors will have erupted which will allow us to properly detect irregular growth patterns. When the jaw is still forming, it is more malleable, making early orthodontics an effective solution for many. Treatment for problems such as cross bite or overbite may require more advanced and more costly correction if approached later in life.
Even if orthodontic treatment is not immediately necessary at this early age, an orthodontic evaluation will allow the orthodontist to monitor and guide the growth of the jaw and teeth. This will allow the doctor to identify the best time for treating your child.
Early orthodontic treatment will:
- Prevent overcrowding by creating room for unerupted teeth
- Create facial symmetry by guiding jaw growth
- Reduce the need for teeth removal
- Reduce treatment time with braces
- Contact our office to schedule a free consultation and evaluation for your child.
Related Articles
Early Orthodontic Evaluation Early detection of orthodontic problems in young children may make it easier to correct those problems in the long run. Waiting until all of the permanent (adult) teeth have come in, or until facial growth is nearly complete, may make correction of some problems more difficult or even impossible. An early childhood orthodontic evaluation can yield excellent results... Read Article
How Thumb Sucking Affects The Bite Thumb sucking can actually block the front teeth from erupting fully and can also push the teeth forward — sometimes more on the side where the thumb rested. How far out of position the teeth end up will depend on the number of hours per day the thumb was in the child's mouth and how much pressure was applied. When the pressure exerted by the thumb in the mouth is particularly strong and occurs over a long period of time, the forces can potentially influence growth of the jaws... Read Article
The Magic of Orthodontics Proper alignment of the teeth is basic to “Smile Design.” Their position dictates how they work together and affects the way you look and smile. Only orthodontic treatment can move teeth into the right position. Simply put, when things look right, they probably are right. Learn the basics of smile analysis and design and whether the magic of orthodontics will work for you... Read Article