Early on, orthodontists can see problems that may be occurring with teeth and jaw growth through the use of different diagnostic tools as well as a thorough clinical evaluation.
Orthodontic specialists are specifically trained to evaluate potential orthodontic and growth problems as early as age 7 or even younger.
If these problems are detected, the Orthodontic Specialist can start treatment or preventative care. Treating certain issues early may prevent more serious problems later that would otherwise require extractions, years of wearing braces or even jaw surgery in the most severe cases.
By treating your child early when growth is occurring, you potentially avoid these types of complex and expensive solutions.
The orthodontic specialist may be able to fix an issue now that would not be possible once the face and jaws grow.
Some problems that benefit from early treatment include the correction of oral habits such as thumb or finger sucking, as well as misaligned bites.
Crossbite, where the top teeth fit to one side or the other of the lower teeth when biting down, is related to jaw position and is therefore much easier to correct during the growth phase. Overbites and underbites are also examples of situations that should be addressed early while your child’s jaw is still growing.
The orthodontist will be able to help guide jaw growth and permanent tooth development for positioning purposes, and to allow for adequate room for the developing adult dentition.
Your child will be evaluated and given a customized plan for his or her development. If early intervention is indicated, your orthodontist will recommend two-phase treatment. If not, most orthodontists will continue to follow your child’s progress as the jaw develops, and may recommend treatment later when most of the adult teeth have come in.
Remember, an early evaluation will give your child the best opportunity to develop not only a beautiful smile, but also a lifetime of excellent dental health, a functional bite, and, ultimately, confidence and self-esteem for their future.
Here at Cater Galante Orthodontic Specialists, we have had many years of experience with Early Orthodontic Treatment, having treated over 15,000 young patients successfully with our early intervention approach. Call 916-435-8000 to schedule a complimentary exam and x-ray if your child is 7 or 8 years old.
