Our team of orthodontic specialists and staff strive to improve the health of our patients by focusing on preventing, diagnosing and treating conditions associated with your teeth and bite. We're happy to provide a complimentary consultation to determine the need and timing for orthodontic treatment. If you would like to schedule an appointment, or have questions,please contact us.
When should a child see an orthodontist?
Though an orthodontist can enhance a smile at any age, there is an optimal time to begin treatment. The American Association of Orthodontists recommends that all children see an orthodontist by age seven for an evaluation. Although it may not be time to begin orthodontic treatment, regular periodic orthodontic examinations allow the doctors to monitor growth and development, identify any problems before they progress, and anticipate the most advantageous time to begin any necessary treatment.
Why evaluate a child at age seven?
At age seven, the first molars have erupted, establishing the bite of the back teeth. The doctor can then evaluate the bite, and the side to side and front to back relationships of the teeth. If intervention is necessary, the orthodontist can guide growth and development, preventing serious problems later. Most young patients don't need anything more than observation of growth and development while the permanent teeth are growing into place. If that is the case with you, we will enroll you in our Future Star Program, where we will schedule regular examinations to monitor your progress as you grow and your dentition develops.
What are the advantages of early intervention or interceptive treatment?
- Create room for crowded, erupting teeth
- Create facial symmetry by influencing jaw growth
- Reduce the risk of trauma to protruding front teeth
- Maintain space for unerupted teeth
- Reduce the need for permanent tooth removal
Are you a candidate for orthodontic treatment?
Orthodontics is not only for improving the aesthetics of the smile; orthodontic treatment improves dental function and health for patients of all ages. Malocclusion (or bad bite) occurs as a result of tooth or jaw misalignment and can affect your appearance, how you chew, and your oral hygiene According to studies by the American Association of Orthodontists, untreated malocclusion can result in a numerous of problems. Crowded teeth are more difficult to properly brush and floss, which may contribute to tooth decay and/or gum disease. Protruding teeth are more susceptible to accidental chipping. Cross-bites can result in unfavorable growth and uneven tooth wear. Open-bites can create speech and eating difficulties. These are just some of the consequences of malocclusion that could affect you. A beautiful smile is more than aesthetic---it can be healthier too!
Malocclusions are fairly common in children (as well as adults). While some malocclusions are so minor that no treatment would provide a demonstrable benefit, serious malocclusions may require intervention in the form of appliances such as braces.For this reason, regular dental checkups are critical because they provide an opportunity for a dental professional to spot small problems before they become big ones. During a routine exam, your dentist may be able to determine if the child's jaws are growing properly and at the same rate.
If your child has any of the following symptoms, a more detailed orthodontic exam may be called for:
- "Loose" jaws that can be easily shifted around or make popping noises when opening or closing
- Abnormal bite relationship (teeth that don?t match up well when biting)
- Baby teeth that are lost too early or too late
- Biting the cheek or roof of the mouth
- Breathing through the mouth excessively (instead of through the nose)
- Disproportionate teeth or jaws
- Problems with biting down or chewing food
- Teeth that have become crowded, knocked out or in the wrong place
- Thumb-sucking or finger-sucking
Here are just some of the benefits of catching problems early:
- Avoiding impacted teeth
- Avoiding more costly and lengthy orthodontic treatments in later life
- Avoiding soft tissue and palate injuries from protruding teeth
- Bad habits like thumb- or finger- sucking can be corrected
- Correcting breathing, speaking, swallowing or eating problems
- Creating space for newly erupting or future erupting teeth
- Erupting teeth and jaws can be gently glided into their correct positions
Extracting a tooth (either primary of permanent) before its time can sometimes do more harm than good.
There are reasonable instances, and good cause, however, for extracting teeth early in a child.
Common justifications for an early tooth extraction include preserving space for other incoming teeth to avoid crowding and possible impacted teeth later on, or to clear an obstructed tooth that is preventing a jaw from forming correctly.
As your child grows
Orthodontists employ a wide variety of "growth modification" techniques to help nature correct problems as your child grows.
Orthodontic appliances can do wonders as your child develops. For example, an appliance may stave off problems with an upper or lower jaw that isn't growing at the same rate as the other, or correct problems that are creating difficulties with chewing or swallowing.
Whatever the cause, orthodontic treatment during your child's development will reap substantial dividends in adult life, including avoidance of possible surgery, improved oral health and improved self-esteem.
Typically, children between the ages of 10 (usually girls) and 12 (usually boys) benefit greatly from procedures designed to correct jaw length and width problems.
Keep in mind that orthodontic treatment involves a firm commitment from the child, as well as the parent. The kinds of changes such treatment is designed for sometimes take years to fully realize their benefit. Also bear in mind that even the most dedicated commitment is no guarantee of permanent results. Nature sometimes has a way of taking over, and in limited cases, relapses can occur later on.