Along with the American Association of Orthodontists, we recommend that a child receive their first orthodontic screening by age 7 unless they have an orthodontic problem requiring them to be see at an earlier age. By seeing your child early, we are able to recognize potential problems early and correct them before they become more serious.
Early interceptive orthodontic treatment has proven to be beneficial for the overall desired result. Because a young child’s permanent teeth have not finished erupting, we are able to thoroughly evaluate the front-to-back, and side-to-side tooth relationships and address any impending problems at its earliest stage. At an early age we are able to guide and influence jaw growth which can prevent extractions of permanent teeth and jaw surgeries in many instances.
During your child’s initial evaluation we will first determine if there are any problems that need to be addressed, such as crowding, open bite, overbite, or gummy smiles. It is possible that immediate treatment will not be necessary. If treatment is indicated, we will create a personalized treatment plan for your child that will prove to be the most beneficial for his/her specific case.
Early orthodontic treatment varies between patients, but may include removable or fixed appliances that can provide more room for crowded, erupting teeth; preserve space for unerupted teeth; create facial symmetry through manipulating jaw growth; reduce the possibility of tooth extraction; and reduce overall treatment time in braces.
To find out if your child is a candidate for early interceptive treatment, contact us today to schedule a complimentary consultation.